Octagon Quilters Host Gillian Travis

The Octagon Quilters of Westport are hosting Gillian Travis on Tuesday 16th of October at the Westport Woods Hotel on Quay Road in Westport.  Gillian is an international teacher of many years.  She is well travelled and produces stunning pieces of work, fabric, paint and stitch using innovative techniques.  Gillian will give us a workshop, learning how to pain and print backgrounds, taking common wild plants as a starting point.  The class will involve screen printing, appliqué and machine embellishment.

On Monday 15th October, Gillian will give a talk entitled "Journeys in Stitch" at the same venue starting at 8PM.  Admission is 5 euro and refreshments will be available.

There will be a few places available for those who wish to join into the workshop.  The workshop will cost 25 euro per student.  Lunch is available in the hotel.  The course will run from 10AM to 4PM on the 16th.

Gillian Travis has recently been featured in Patchwork and Quilting magazine.

For enquiries and bookings, email bredamaloney(at)eircom(dot)net.

Paula Rafferty Stained Glass Workshop

As a novice patch-worker I love doing workshops to learn new techniques.  The stained glass effect  intrigued me so I really  looked forward to Paula Rafferty’s workshop on Sunday at the International Quilt Festival of Ireland.  We had received a list of materials needed in advance but not everyone came prepared! Just as well  Paula was, with lots of ‘kits’ ready for us.

The group decided to do a simple tulip design –the pattern was well numbered showing the positioning of the basic pieces followed by the fusible bias.  Once I got the hang of the technique it was easy to get it done. Paula’s relaxed presentation made it all seem so simple. I also got to use a new ‘gadget’ – the mini iron, just brilliant for ironing on the bias strips.  Two of us headed over to the hall afterwards to buy one!

We finished up early and Paula spent the last hour teaching us foundation piecing as some of the group had missed this workshop in the morning.  We then had two workshops  for the afternoon.  I learned loads and really enjoyed chatting to the others in the group. Hope to see Paula back for next year’s Quilt festival.

Mary O’Brien

First Meeting of the Season!

The first meeting of the2012-2013 season is quickly approaching!  Please join the Western Branch of the IPS on Saturday the 15th of September from 10AM-noon in the Bridge Centre on St. Mary's Road in Galway.

Our speaker will be Terri McNeill who will give both a talk as well as a demonstration.  The shop will be Rags for Linda, so be sure to stop by and pick up something fun for your stash.

Please bring your creations for the Western Challenge using the green/blue batik fabric from the Cu Na Mara quilts.  We will display them for all members to see as well as choose a winner of the coveted Western Branch trophy!

Let's finish the Volvo Ocean Race sampler quilt while we are together.  We pieced 7 blocks while at the Ocean Race using fabrics donated by Brenda Maloney.  If you are interested, please bring your machine, a 14 inch square of pale backing, a piece of cotton wadding, your needles, thread, etc to make a block or two after our regular meeting.  All fabrics will be cut, so there's no need to bring your cutting board, etc.

Hope to see you there!