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