COSBY QUILTERS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

November 6th 2013 saw the 25th anniversary of the beginning of Cosby Quilters.
However, for a few of us, our journey into stitch began several years before.
A small group gathered once a week to sew in Joan Smith,s house.    The fabrics we buy today were certainly not available, and so we used remnants left over from dress making, and or, items bought from jumble sales.  All carefully washed and un-picked.  Joan would sometimes bring 'treasures'
from unknown sources.
We once had a trip to Lincoln to an outlet which sold bags of offcuts from 'Diary of a Country Lady' (I think it was M & S current bedding fabric).  The lady in the shop was so overwhelmed by us all, that she threw the bags outside for us to 'fight over'.
The lovely thing about this time was that if you said, 'I would like to  make a quilt in autumn colours' everyone gave you some of their limited stash.
I have a very worn quilt with fabric made from pieces given to me, and it has lovely memories of those who gave me these pieces.  This was true patchwork to me.
I could relate many tales of exploits from this time, but had better move on...
Following our 1st Quilting exhibition in Cosby House, so many people wanted to join our group, and proved to be too many for Joan's home.  So, we moved to the Church Hall, and Cosby Quilters was 'born'.
Out 25th anniversary evening was opened by Anne-Marie who read a card from Joan, who sadly was unable to attend.  A poem was also read out, which had been given to Joan after our first Cosby Quilters Meeting.
There were 56 people present on this special evening, and how lovely it was to see some of the original members, who had been invited to come along and join us.
A well deserved thanks was given to Jean Waterfield, one of the very first to join Joan's group, and who has been on the Committee since the Quilters began.  Jean also usually hosts meetings at her home, and we were happy to present her with a planter of flowers, and also to make her an  honorary member.
After the presentation we enjoyed tea, and  beautifully iced cakes made by Kathy Francis.
The Back room had been adorned by a long string of bunting, and each piece had been signed by current members, and stitched together by Jean.
We were able to recall many events as Jean had produced a montage of photographs taken over the years, and much 'Wow, don't we look young; and who's that; and oh look, there's so and so'.... could be heard.
The evening was rounded off with a raffle.
I would personally like to thank Joan and I think I speak for many of us when I say, 'You have introduced me to a wonderful hobby, which has enriched my life in many ways, and through which, over the years, I have made many really good friends'.
Joan, We all wish you a speedy recovery
Here's to the next 25 years of happy stitching.

Sue Wilson

The speaker was very good, and 
this is obviously a very interesting
subject!!

                                                                         
Not only does Kathy Francis
sew, but she makes beautiful
cakes

GRETA FITCHETT

I regret that the information re the change of speaker was in correct.  It was not the November meeting that was changed it should have been October.

The October meeting was well attended and Greta Fitchett showed us her beautiful quilts.  One of the quilts had been jointly made with her husband.  He had drawn the design and she made the quilt but had to remember to check with him when she made decisions about the construction or the quilting.  She said that on a number of occasions what she would have done was altered after their discussions

The inspiration for a number of the quilts that she showed us was reflections and an example is shown below.

A very good question and answer session was held after her talk.

Big Textile Show

Vicky Cooper visited the Big Textile Show and sent the following report of her experience.

Although it was termed The Big Textile Show, it held interest and appeal to many.
I ended up visiting twice, because I felt that I needed to check out the stalls again, which offered lots of interesting stuff (some things I had never encountered before).

It's always good to get new ideas, although not totally of the patchwork and quilting modality.
I attended two workshops, one given by Viv, and another by Liz Ingram.  What talent we have within our membership  at Cosby Quilters, and please can we organise similar events for our group.  In fact, it was hard to decide which workshops to select.

The catering facilities were excellent, and there was a real buzz about the college.

Congratulations to the local ladies, Sue and Jenny who worked so very hard to bring textiles to our doorstep.

 

Barbara Weeks Workshop

Felt to Quilt – Workshop with Barbara Weeks

We started the day with a talk and demonstration from Barbara on how to make thin felt. There were many different samples for us to look at and Barbara had her quilts on hand to show us various techniques she had used in the construction of her quilts.

A chiffon scarf was the base / 1^st layer of the felt. A fine layer of wool tops were laid onto the base fabric. A second optional layer was added at 90 ⁰ to the first. Although Barbara said 1 layer would have produced felt I think most of us opted for 2 layers.

We had been asked to take an inspirational picture and Barbara gave plenty of advice, when asked, on ways to achieve our finished goal.

Barbara had brought all the equipment needed to produce felt for anyone to use should they not have their own.

Scarves and coloured wool tops were available to purchase at a very reasonable price.

By lunch time the majority of us had produced a piece of felt. We laid the pieces in the sun while we had lunch, by the end of which the pieces had dried.

The afternoon started with a’ show and tell ‘of samples to inspire the embellishment of our pieces.

Really motivated we started to stitch our pieces with ideas given, by Barbara, to each individual piece. Some students opted to make a second piece of felt instead of stitching.

Thanks once again to Pat for organising a really fun day. I can’t wait to see the finished pieces.

Some of the felts drying in the sun

 

Jo throwing her felt to shock it

Sue rolling her felt

Change of Speaker

Please note that there has been a change of Speaker for the November meeting


The Speaker is now Greta Fitchett "Inspired by Colour"

INSPIRED BY COLOUR shows how colour has inspired her work with design ideas from many sources. These include the summer flower garden, fishing boats, the city of Barcelona, travels to North Africa, and South American textiles. There are some quilts, but also embroidered wall hangings and three dimensional pieces.

Workshop on 5th September

There are still places left on this workshop

TRAPPING COLOUR CATCHING LIGHT

A contemporary take on the traditions of Quiltmaking; we will create wool wadding to incorporate colour and design and create overlays of dyed silk sheers to produce a small quilt. Ideas gained will transform your concept of a quilt!

This is a 'hands on', fun, workshop for all levels. Bring an inspirational picture to guide your choice of colour, line and texture, or borrow one of mine.

To book a place contact Pat Screaton on 0116 2867581 or email patscreaton@dsl.pipex.com

Venue Blaby Baptist Church
Cost £20.00  (members) £25.00 (non members) per class

 THE BIG TEXTILE EXHIBITION

Big textile show is happening at the end of September 28^th and 29^th at Countesthorpe Community Collage Countesthorpe Leicestershire, local to most of you

So take a look at The BIG TEXTILE SHOW web site and blog the workshop timetable is on the blog. Book up for the workshops £5.00 l hour £10.00  for 2 hour including materials and get your entrance ticket ASAP only £6.00 to get in with lot ‘s of free talks and demos. Jenny and Sue have put a lot of work into this great event that the felting group will be supporting 100%,  spread the word to your friends and Groups and book up for the workshops. Keep looking at the web site for updates. www.thebigtextileshow.co.uk

Next Meeting 4th September

The Speaker at the next meeting is Barbara Weeks

TRAPING COLOUR CATCHING LIGHT

Creating colour on cloth is the starting point of her quilts, which often feature painted silk and hand made felt. Her inspiration recently has been drawn from the marine ecosystems of the Coral Triangle in the Pacific. But she also delight in themes from the natural world nearer to home.

The trader will be Brenda Walker

Photos from July Meeting and Quilt exhibition

July Meeting

The talk on the 3^rd July was Rags to Riches by Jennie Stewart Anderson.  She gave an interesting talk on the history of rag rugs and demonstrated the various methods by which they are created.  She had created simple patterns and also beautiful pictures.  Plain hessian bags had been decorated with flowers to make them more interesting.

 

Quilt Exhibition

The quilt exhibition at Cosby Open Gardens was brilliant.  The exhibition was absolutely stunning and everyone who attended was bowled over by the work.  There have been so many positive comments and words of praise for the exhibits coupled with surprise at the variety of styles and how quilting has moved on and is now up to date.  Many commented on the very clever ladies we have in the group.  One person commented what a lovely exhibition it was and then realised that there were a great many more quilts in the church itself.

It looks like we have generated enthusiasm among some local ladies, and may have some new faces at future meetings, and hopefully joining the group, which is great news. 

Many of the members have been very generous with their time and provision of items for the sales table and the cakes.  We had 12 cushions and 7 bags for the raffle and the customers appreciated the fact that they would win something that they wanted. The guess the number of pickled people in the jar was a great success. The two quilts that were raffled made £139.20 for Breast Cancer.

Over all we made over £700 which is excellent.

A big thank you to all of you who gave your time and effort to make the event such a great success.

Photos below for anyone who was unable to attend

 

 

COSBY QUILTERS EXHIBITION 6-7 JULY 2013

This is being held  in conjunction with Cosby Open Gardens, which is being held to raise funds for the C of E Church in Cosby.
It will commence on Saturday at 10 am, and run through until 5pm
Sunday it will commence at 12 midday and end at 4pm.
Price £3 per adult, children 11 and under FOC. 

This price will give you entrance to all gardens participating in the scheme, and they are very varied, and of a very high standard.
We suggest you come early, as the last time an Open Garden Scheme was in operation, it was advertised in The Telegraph and folk came from miles around.

There are many gardens to be viewed, refreshments from various places, a band will play on Sunday afternoon.  It will be a family fun day out in Cosby.

We are holding our quilt exhibition in the Cosby Community Church, Croft Rd., Cosby, LE9 1RE.
Apart from the exhibition, we will have a stalls selling crafts, cakes, a raffle for a cancer charity, a raffle for bags and cushions. We also have some 'pickled people', and it's not every day you get to see one of these.  (You will have to come along and see what it's all about)

For members and friends of Cosby Quilters, may I remind you that we will need your quilts, or completed work from workshops, or any item you have made, well in advance of this weekend.  This will enable us to plan the displays.  All items should have your name on please.

Goods being donated for the craft stall, can be given to Sue and Viv (or any committee member well in advance of the event).

Contributions of cakes, we would like to receive these on Friday, and our committee will be at the Community Church that day setting up the exhibition, so can receive them.  Can we ask that they be labelled, whether they contain nuts, and whether they are suitable for freezing.
Cakes can also be received on Saturday.

We would ask that you come along to support Cosby Quilters, and in turn the local parish church.

COURSE AND WORKSHOP REMINDER.............

For anyone who did not could not make the last meeting, I would like to send out a reminder about some of our courses.
Full information along with websites can be found further back in the blog, just look in the January information, entitled Workshops for Cosby Quilters.


Sat 25 May - Viv Denscombe's course entitled 'A Book of Bits or a Bit of a Book'. This is to be held at Ashby Magna, and I think the title is enough to get you along there and see what it's all about.
There are a few places left, and this would be a great chance to learn from Viv, who is a very enthusiastic teacher.

Sat. 8 June - Linda Rudkin - Flower Pounding and Flower Trapping.  Something very different.  Venue - Ashby Magna

Wed 12  to Saturday 15 June - Ruth Jarman.  Four seperate courses with Ruth, who will take you through everything you would ever need to know about machines and stitches.  Look back through the  blog, and find the relevant info.  Venue - Frolesworth

As I am likely to keep telling you, these courses are at a very reasonable price.  Our group are not looking to make a profit, we just want to offer our members, and friends, a variety of topics, and make quilting more interesting and fun.

Please contact Pat Screaton 0116 2867581  if you would like to join any of these classes

Please Note
The speaker planned for 2nd October, and workshop for 3rd October, has had to be cancelled.  Maggie Davies is now unable to make these dates.
In her place, we have arranged for Greta Fitchett to come along to talk to us

AS A MATTER OF INTEREST

I have just had a look at the number of people who are reading this blog.....

UK      66
USA    37
Germany 1

Interesting to see we have some interest from across the pond,
but slight disappointing that we are not getting more numbers from home

:-(

INTERCARE

Has not had a mention for some time, but it has not been forgotten
I know two of our members have continued to support them, taking along quilts, medicines, and other items which are so very useful to Intercare.
Not forgetting 150 knitted Teddies (collected from Kisko), plus another
large quantity awaiting collection.

Thank you Elaine and Janice 

(Does anyone know what a quantity of Teddies is called???????)

QUILTS FOR WARD 28, LEICESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY

At our monthly meeting last Wednesday, we were given a 'mountain' of quilts, from various places;-
Village Quilters, Chris Ingham and her Ladies, Janice Cook and other people.
(forgive me if I have not mentioned your  name, but I was so amazed and so overwhelmed at the quantity and quality of the donations).
This came from a mere 'mention' a month earlier, when we were told about  Ward 28 in our local hospital.
It is for babies and children, and young people who are sadly in hospital for long periods.
Emma Green, the Ward Sister, felt it would be good for the patients to have bright cheerful quilts on their beds, she mentioned it to her friend Natasha, who mentioned it to Chris Ingham, and Cosby Quilters.
Lo and behold, no sooner said than Done!!!!!
A total of 34 quilts were brought to the Wednesday meeting, and handed to Emma.
Needless to say, she was absolutely delighted.
I know there are many more quilts 'in progress'.
Once again, this is testimony to the generous and kind hearted ladies who quilt.
Word gets around, and miracles happen!!

GAIL LAWTHER

Well, what a fabulous talk by Gail, so full of facts and information .... Does she work for the New Zealand Tourist Board I wonder.???  It certainly made me want to book another trip.
Her work is truly amazing and inspirational, and the workshop  was brilliant.  Even I got to grips with it - eventually.
Her teaching is clear and concise, and she was always on hand to give advice on colour schemes etc when needed.
Here are some pictures of the work at the end of the day.

Watch this space, and you  may see some finished articles....
I was so enthusiastic that I continued to sew til nearly midnight!!  But still a long way to go

LEICESTERSHIRE EMBROIDERER'S BUILD

OPEN DAY

I have been asked to mention the Open Day,as below.

I'm sure it will be of interest to many of you.

Leicestershire Branch Embroiderers’ Guild Open Day 22 June 2013 11.00am – 4.00pm Braunstone West Social Centre St Mary’s Avenue, Leicester LE3 3FT Open Day of Members Embroidery Demonstrations, Stalls, Information, Refreshments Entrance: Free

Not Yet Stitchers, Are Very Welcome Meetings and workshops are held monthly. For details visit www.emreg.org.uk (East Midlands Region) Or contact Deborah Phillpott on  01455 612261

WORKSHOP REMINDERS….

Pat has just sent out our 1st e mail reminder regarding workshops planned for the future.

TOMORROW !!!

If you don’t already know, we have Gail Lawther (an International  Patch worker from Kent), coming along to talk to us.  She has written several books, and has also made some sewing DVDs. Her talk this time is ‘Glimpses of New Zealand’, and she is doing a workshop of the same title on Thursday 2^nd May we have a couple of spaces on this workshop which will be at Blaby Baptist Church. 10.00 till 4.00.

As part of our 25 years celebrations we are offering some extra workshops (several have been requested by yourselves) and I am listing them below:-

Vivs workshop   on Saturday 25^th May -  A bit of book, or a book of bits

This looks like a fun workshop with Viv and I am sure we are in for a great day, There are 5 spaces on this workshop and it is being held at Ashby Magna 10.00 till 4.00  the class being limited to 15.

Also following Linda Rudkin’s talk last year we are having her to do Flower Pounding and Flower Trapping workshop.

This is on Saturday 8^th June also at Ashby Magna 10.00 till 4.00.  We have quite a few spaces on this workshop so if you have a friend that might like to join the class they would be made most welcome.

We also have Ruth Jarman coming for 4 days to do a number of workshops which we are having at Frolesworth Village Hall 10.00 till 4.00  class limited to 10.

Wednesday 12^th June -  Bernina Embroidery module  course, this class is for those folk with automatic embroidery module machines  ( I am sure must take a bit of sorting out).

Thursday 13^th June -  Mastering the automatic memory, programming patterns and alphabet. I know some of use have done this course, but it’s usually at the end of the class (and we don’t quite get it). This class only has a couple of spaces left

Friday 14^th June - Mastering your sewing machine.  Learn how to thread your machine  and set your tension correctly;  when to adjust for a perfect stich, learn about different needles, straight stitches, how to seam and neaten woven and stretch fabrics, blind and decorative hems, button holes and basic introduction to embroidery, cleaning, oiling and lot of problem solving.

Saturday 15^th June -  Embroidery and Decorative stitch techniques, techniques  including satin stitch work and couching techniques, cut work, scallop hem and corded, using twin needle for embroidery, practical work pin tuck with and without cord.

And as Ruth says “ it won't just be what is on the programme, there is always new stuff with Ruth and as they haven't had me for so long there is going to be SOOOOOOOOOOOO much new stuff. If they have not done mastering then they are missing out So much. Everyone should do it, even if they have been sewing for 50 years,  New tricks!!!! Maybe the Embroidery class we should make a FUN DAY - TRICKS I have So many, Twin stain glass, Hemstitching, Turned edge Applique, Hand-look stitches”

You learn so much in Ruth’s class, and the class always over runs by at least half an hour.

All the classes are £20,  and £25 for non members who are most welcome.

Pat on behalf of Cosby Quilters

JANET HUMPHREY'S WORKSHOP

Whilst I was sitting reading a book in the sunshine of Spain, a considerable number of Cosby Quilters were enjoying a workshop given by Janet.
I understand from the comments, that it was a resounding success.

It has also become a bit of an obsession for some folk, who have made 2, 3 and 4 of the caskets.
Maybe even more, who knows.
And I missed out!!!!
Here are a couple of pictures taken during the workshop

(Yes - I know it's the wrong way, but I will try harder next time)

Comments from one of the ladies who enjoyed the day:

"Many thanks for a great workshop last Saturday. Have finished the project and am absolutely delighted with the result."

And

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JANET FOR THE DAY

INFO FROM ONE OF OUR RUGBY MEMBERS

I have been in touch with Liz Ingram from Rugby, and she sent some information which may be of interest:-

There is a textile exhibition coming up soon in Rugby, and to check out the details, please look at:

http//facetstextileart.blogspot.co.uk

also, there is a shop in Great Doddington, Northamptonshire which has a lovely website.

More  important, there is a sale coming up ......

www.poppypatch.co.uk

Incidentally, we have a lot of new members who come from Rugby.  I am wondering, do they come by mini bus or double decker??     :-)

THE JILLYGEORGE QUILT

Two weeks ago I attended a Cosby Quilter workshop with Kathleen Guerrier, and during our lunch break we were shown a quilt by one of our former members Jill Cawrey.  This was not just any quilt, this one  had a very interesting story to go with it, which Jill was happy to share with us.

In 1988 Jill visited Paducah and whilst there took the opportunity of participating  in various workshops.  The theme of this particular year was ‘Baskets’, and members made blocks to form a quilt which was later raffled off.

One of the notable points to this visit was a friendship which Jill formed with a fellow quilter from Anchorage, Alasaka.   This was George Taylor, a draughtsman by profession, and a very accomplished and precise quilter.  The friendship culminated in Jill inviting George to visit her in the UK.

During his stay George had been looking through a copy of the British Patchwork and Quilting magazine and commented that he liked one particular pattern.  Jill liked the same pattern, and so a quilt was about to be born.

Ever the draughtsman, George draughted out the pattern to a full scale. And so it began.

They decided on a black background.  Did Jill have any black fabric?  Why of course she did…. Someone had given her an old blackout curtain (circa 1940), still in good condition.  At this point they had sufficient fabric for half of a quilt. 

So, what do we do when we need more fabric?  We call on our friends of course.  Janice Cooke was very generous, and soon found suitable fabrics for the project, as did several of Jill’s other quilting friends.

Then at about midnight one night, Jill had a panic.  The black fabric would need to be washed before use, so out of bed, and the black fabric was duly put in the washing machine and hung out to dry.  Then she ‘played’ with some of the design blocks which had been drawn up.  She left a note for George, ‘I like this design best, do you?’  Fortunately he agreed.

With still insufficient fabrics, a trip to Bramble Patch was the next thing on the list.  Apparently George (being quite a gregarious character) proved to be popular with the staff in the Weedon shop.

As if a large quilting project was not sufficient for most people.  George also wanted to visit Scotland during his two week holiday to the UK, so they took time out to do a coach trip too.

When George left Leicester, he took with him the pieced quilt.  He would do the quilting in Alaska.

You won’t be able to see from the photo, but we could see that it was actually machine quilted from the back, and it is absolute perfection.  He then sent the quilt back to Jill and told her to ‘milk it’.  Which she duly did.

She entered it in to the Malvern Show and it was given an award of merit for colour.

In 2002 the Festival of Quilts was held at the NEC (1^st year at the NEC), and here it was put into a class ‘Made by two people’.

The competition was quite fierce, and Katherine Guerrier (already a very well-known quilter) won the first prize (along with a colleague who quilted her work).

However Jill and George’s quilt won the third prize and £100.  Fame at last!

This quilt was featured on the front cover of the British Quilting and Patchwork magazine, along with full instructions.

I would like to thank Jill for her help, and collaboration with this article.

VIV DENSCOMBE

A BOOK OF BITS - OR A BIT OF A BOOK

Saturday 25th May 2013

You may be wondering what Viv has in store for us with this workshop.....

but we now have some photos, so you had better book a place.

Viv's work is very exciting and 'different', and also, very popular.

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 3RD APRIL 2013
PRACTICAL EVENING
Just to remind you what is happening.....
It was felt that some members required help with certain techniques, so we have organised an evening where we will have demonstrations.
Elaine is going to demonstrate how to 'quilt as you go'
Jo will show us how to hand quilt
Sue is going to show us how to do free motion quilting
Viv is teaching foundation piecing.

Of course there will be ladies who do not require help - and so for those who wish, they can sit, sew and chat.

But we are also going to be taught how to make 'pickled people' (if you so desire)!!!!!
These 'people' will be put into a large jar, and be used as a fund raising event for the Cosby Open Gardens.
Please bring old (and clean) flesh coloured tights which we can use for this project.

Quilters Paradise will have a stall selling various fabrics.

We are also having a stall selling buttons..
Not just any old buttons.
These are extraordinary buttons.
All hand made and every one unique.
These are made by Natasha, and below she tells us a little about her products,
'I started making buttons out of polymer clay because I couldn't find any buttons to match a beautiful cardigan I had made for my daughter. They were either too big, not the right colour and so I decided to make my own. I remembered playing with Fimo when I was a little girl and had such fun.
I brought a few packets of clay and Ellabella buttons was created.
They can be used on knitting, crochet, fabric, cute hair bows, paper crafts and scrap booking. They're perfect for all your crafting projects.
All my buttons are made from clay which is hardened in the oven.  They are water resistant and if attached to clothing  you should always wash on a gentle program at 40c. Buttons shouldn't be put in the tumble dryer.
I have created many designs mostly small batches. If you would like me to make you a 'one-off' collection of buttons, please contact me and we can discuss your project.

Natasha Lockley
07920408300
Ellabellabuttons@aol.co.uk

you might like owls - very trendy at the moment

OR BIRDS OR FLOWERS

OR PLAIN, OR PRETTY














One way or another, I think we are going to have a fun evening