Category: Events

Members were treated to a very interesting talk and slide show by Lis Binns who gave us all an insight into how best to use many of the everyday items we had in our sewing arsenal.   Although many of us had been using these for several years, it was interesting to know there was sometimes a better way to use some of them to prevent injury and stress.  There was much amusement when Lis told us how to make use of a toilet brush (a new one of course) to collect stray threads from the carpet so they didn’t get tangled around the carpet cleaner.  Also making a mixture of Vodka to use instead of starch was quite a revelation to some of us (I’m not sure if this wasn’t a waste of good alcohol!)

To finish her talk we were treated to a show of several quilts Lis had brought along for us to look at.  Lis was then thanked for a very amusing and enlightening talk, and there was no doubt we had all learned something useful during the evening.

Our thanks go to Chris and her helpers in the kitchen for ending the evening by serving tea and coffee.

Jo Henshaw had come along to our Sit and Sew evening to invite our interest in participating in the ‘The Herefordshire Calico Dress’ project.  She explained this was a new creative community project by Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group, where local women and anyone who supported women’s equality could work together to create a life-sized gown.    Jo explained that The Calico Dress was a simplified ‘sister’ version of the Red Dress by Kirstie Macleod. Whilst answering our questions she showed us photographs of how groups had worked together and produced some very attractive gowns.  The idea was for groups to embroider or possibly add patchwork to calico panels that could subsequently be formed into a full size gown.  She ended by saying she hoped Leominster Quilters would be interested in participating in the project. 

Members then took the opportunity to look at the mountain of fabric that had belonged to our late member Maggie, which Kate had once again brought along.  Kate explained that the donations for the fabric members purchased would go to charity.

Thanks once again went to Sally and Jane for serving tea and coffee.

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.

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.

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.