Author: maureenbilbao

Guest Workshops, Uncategorized

Saturday 7 March

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Silver Darlings by Lizzie Wall – Workshop

“Silver Darlings” is the traditional nickname for Atlantic herring, which are small oily fish that get their name from their silvery shimmering scales and streamlined bodies.

We were lucky to have Lizzie Wall return and share her Silver Darlings workshop with fourteen members.  Lizzie showed us some of her Silver Darlings projects then with the aid of examples she talked us through each stage of the workshop.  Lizzie had kindly provided all the supplies and materials required and we were able to look through her vast array of fabric in order to make our project.  During the day as everyone worked at their own pace the silence in the room indicated the amount of concentration that was being taken.  After lunch Lizzie demonstrated how we could use free motion quilting to enhance and finish our projects at home.

At the end of the day when we displayed our work it was fascinating to see a very colourful shoal of Silver Darlings, with each individual project looking so different although we had all started with the same pattern. 

Finally before we all packed up members expressed their thanks to Lizzie for a very enjoyable and successful workshop and everyone agreed they had thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Guest Workshops

18February – Quilt as you Go

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Sheena Roberts from Greenman Quilts arrived promptly ready to start the workshop and was swiftly followed by thirteen members eager to learn all about ‘Quilt as You Go’.

Sheena explained that ‘Quilt as You Go’ was a method used to finish a quilt without having to struggle with a large item on a domestic sewing machine.  To help members understand the processes she had brought along and displayed several different examples of the methods she used.  During the day whilst she explained each process and went around the room helping members, she displayed several quilts that she had completed and explained which joining methods had been used each time

The day ended with everyone agreeing that it had been a very informative, fun filled day.  It was easy to see that the ‘Quilt as you Go’ method for finishing a quilt would be a much easier process than struggling with a large quilt on a domestic sewing machine.  Members were eager to try one of the methods demonstrated in the future.

Events

4TH January 2026 AGM

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Eighteen members attended the AGM and apologies were received from 11 members. 

With no matters arising, the Minutes of the previous AGM were therefore approved. The Chairman reported on the events of the past year and gave a brief outline of forthcoming events.  Accounts had been prepared by the Treasurer and were distributed for information.  It was noted the balance as at 31 December 2025 was £4,993.33. 

As all members of the incumbent committee were eligible and happy to be re-elected Maureen Bilbao was elected Chairman; Jocey Sankey was elected Vice Chairman, Deborah Cottam was elected Treasurer; Lisa Forrest was elected Programme Secretary and Sally Sansom was elected Publicity Secretary.   Alyson Wells, Edie Bonham and Susie Curtis were co-opted to the Committee in order to help with the forthcoming Exhibition. that was sue to be held in August. It was agreed that a donation to charity should be considered after the Exhibition.  Concern was expressed at the condition of some of the metal Exhibition stands that may need to be replaced.  In order to identify the location of equipment, ready for the Exhibition, an email would be sent to members in order to find out where everything was. There being no further business the AGM closed at 7.50 pm. We then enjoyed a Show and Tell of some of the items on which members had been working.

Events

Sit and Sew 21 January 2026

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Although it was a very wet miserable evening 11 members braved the elements to attend the first Sit and Sew evening meeting of the year.  It was a pleasant evening with members working on their individual projects, and looking at some of the quilts that members were working on for the upcoming Exhibition, Members had the opportunity to chat with each other and catch up on news.

Events

3rd January 2026

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Sit and Sew Saturday

A bright sunny day encouraged members to brave the cold for the first meeting of the New Year.  As members arrived, the hall soon buzzed with chatter and laughter whilst we all worked on our individual projects and enjoyed some lovely cakes and biscuits that had been brought for us to share.  We also took the opportunity to look at a selection of Maggie’s fabric that Kate had kindly brought along.  At the end of a very pleasant and productive day members went home happily laden with quilts to finish or a collection of Maggie’s fabrics to add to their stash.