Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery, Claregalway, Co. Galway

Following an invitation by Galway County Council to Galway craft-makers to organise craft activites in October 2011 for Galway Craft Month, I approached a local landlord of empty retail spaces in Claregalway with a business proposal to create 'Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery' to showcase the work of Galway craft-makers, designers and artists. My idea was to create a space with 4 main activities

·  a gallery selling craft made locally

·  a class-room where local craft-makers could share their skills through offering workshops to the public

·  a studio space where I could work on items for upcoming exhibitions while also giving the public the opportunity to ask questions about the process of creating quilts, wall-hangings and other textile art pieces. 

·  an opportunity for the community to use the space to share their own craft skills in weekly 'drop-in' crafty mornings.

With the support of family and friends I hope I have created a bright welcoming space in the heart of Claregalway where previously there was a dark empty retail space (and sadly there are still a lot of these empty retail spaces all over Ireland). Although initially intended as a 'pop-up' shop for Galway Craft Month, Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery is still operating as I write this article in February 2012.

The project has provided me with 6 months of work in my local community, the opportunity to sell the work of over 40 talented makers in the gallery and invite them to teach in the classroom. During this time it has been a pleasure to be surrounded by beautiful knitwear, felt brooches, children's books, silver and beaded jewellery, stoneware and earthenware pottery, ceramic giftware, fine prints, oil-paintings, hand-made soaps, soft toys and of course patchwork quilts, cushions and wall-hangings and so much more. Over 75% of the work is made in Galway and the local community has responded positively to the selection, quality and value on offer. It has been a real pleasure to see the happy faces of those who attended workshops leave with their own creations.

For more information on the project see www.legracraftstudioandgallery.blogspot.com.

Thanks Giving

On Thursday 24th Nov 2011 Margaret ,Ester and Sally headed to Campbells Tavern, Cloughanover, Headford to celebrate “Thanks Giving”.

There wasn’t a turkey in sight as Willie had given Mogs Mc Donnell free rein of the lounge for the night. We came in on a cold and very windy night to a pub that was full of beautiful quilts and we had one mighty show and tell. All the ladies groups that Mogs works with, showed one beautiful quilt after another. Niamh Langan’s quilt “The Ties That Bind”which was featured on the front of the catalogue (remember the pink doc martins) for the Links exhibition looked great hanging on the wall.Mogs showed us her own lovely work “The Children of Lir” that she made for the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.

Everyone had tea and lovely homemade apple pie and cream to mark the day even the men playing cards were treated to some also.

 Thanks to Mogs for a lovely  “Thanks Giving”.

Written and Photographed by Margaret Cunnane.

January Meeting and IQFOI Sewing Bee

The Western Branch of the IPS met most recently on the 14 January 2012.

We had a very educational meeting that all members enjoyed. Our guest speaker was Elaine Dobell, a physical therapist, who discussed several helpful points to keep our back and joints healthy while quilting. Thank you, Elaine!

Our shop this month was Seams Sew Simple by Lynn Naughton. As it is a new shop, we were all very excited to see what fabrics she would bring with her. We were not disappointed!

The Western Branch IPS members brought with them their completed quilts for show and tell. They were all beautiful!

Following Elaine’s presentation, the members creating IQFOI panels gathered for a sewing bee to work together on their panels. Members interested in sewing for the afternoon, but without panels, began making quilted flowers for the IQFOI garden.

Our next meeting is 11 Feb when our guest speakers will be the Athone group who will give us a show and tell. Again, the afternoon will hold a chance for IQFOI panel sewing, so bring your supplies!

Next month we will hold a New York Beauty Workshop hosted by Tracy Wilson on 12 Feb 2012. For the workshop, you will need to bring the following materials and supplies:

Fabric: bring a couple of fat quarters of your background fabric, plus a variety of scraps at least 3.5 inches wide. Include complimentary and contrast colors.

Thread

Sewing machine (and knee lift if you have one)

Scissors (fabric and paper)

Pins

Rotary cutter

Ruler

Cutting mat

Iron and ironing board

Thin paper or tissue paper for piecing foundation

Sticky paper tape

Pencil

Extension lead

The instructor will also have handouts, block designs and extras. Each pack will cost 5 euro in addition to the cost of the workshop (25 euro).

Welcome to 2012!

Welcome back everyone after the Christmas holidays. Our January meeting takes place on Saturday 14th.

Guest speaker: Elaine will talk about exercises for quilters!
Shop: Lynn Naughton will bring her shop 'Seams Sew Simple'
Workshop: Stay for an afternoon sewing our panels for the Western Branch display at the IQFOI and/or 3D flowers for the Quilted Garden display at the IQFOI.

Requirements List for February Workshop "New York Beauty" with Tracy Watson

Photo shows Tracy with a bag made from "New York Beauty blocks".

Here is the materials list for the New York Beauty Workshop in February (Sunday workshop).

For the workshop you will need to bring the following:
Fabrics - a couple of fat quarters in the colour you want as background, plus a variety of scraps from which you can get long strips of at least 3.5 inches wide. Include complimentary and contrast colours.
Piecing thread
Sewing machine - if you have a knee lift please bring it as it can be quite useful, don't worry if you don't have one.
Normal sewing kit, including fabric scissors, pins, rotary cutter, small rotary ruler and cutting mat
Iron and ironing pad.
Thin paper or tissue paper for piecing foundation.
Sticky paper tape / drafting tape.
Fabric and paper scissors.
Soft pencil

Extension lead

I am not sure what time you run your workshops over, but I would normally expect to run this over 10am to 4pm.I also prepare a pack of handouts, block designs and extras, but the extra printing and copying does mean I have to charge and extra €5 per pack.

Quilting Bee at Campbell's Tavern, Cloughanover, Headford on Thursday 24th November

Photo shows Mogs McDonnell at the Western Branch exhibition 'Branching Out' in the Galway City Museum in April 2011, with her quilt 'Up the Garden Path' which was voted 'viewers choice'.

Our own Mogs McDonnell will host a 'Quilting Bee' at Campbell's Tavern, Cloughanover, Headford this Thursday 24th November at 8.30pm. All quilters, quilt-lovers and those interested to learn more about the craft are welcome.
There will be a 'show and tell' so bring along your quilts, old, new and in-progress.
It promises to be a lovely evening of quilting, chat and good company!

News about upcoming meeting on November 12th

Our monthly meeting in November takes place on Saturday 12th at 10.00.

Guest Speaker: Agnes Warren will talk about technology for quilters. Agnes will look at the various resources online to help quilters (where to buy supplies, where to download free patterns, where to find forums and blogs of special interest to quilters). For those who are a bit technology-shy....this will be an easy to understand tour of the internet and a chance to ask all those questions you've been meaning to ask.

Shop: Theresa will visit from Limerick with her selection of fabrics, threads and other supplies.

Workshop: Our original planned workshop with Marilyn (appliqué) has been postponed as our meeting date is the same time as the Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS in Dublin and so a large number of members will miss the opportunity to participate in the workshop. Instead we will have a quilting bee for all those working on panels for the International Quilt Festival of Ireland. Bring along the panels and we will all help each other with the zigzag stitching.

Notice: Jim West has been in touch to remind us that he is eager for individuals and groups to create 3D flowers for 'My Quilted Garden' at next year's International Quilt Festival of Ireland. See http://www.iqfoi.com/exhibits.html for more information.

October: Quilting Bee to create 20 quilts for the International Quilt Festival of Ireland in June 2012

In the afternoon a number of members stayed to participate in the 'quilting bee' where we work together as a group on a project. Our current group project is to make 20 panels for a display of our work at next year's International Quilt Festival of Ireland. It was a busy afternoon, tracing around templates, cutting out appliqué pieces. ironing bondaweb in place, cutting wadding and background fabric. But it was worth it....we're on our way to making a special display for next June's festival!

October: Show and Tell

Every month brings a selection of quilts completed by members and October was no exception.

Mari proves that the back of a quilt can also be exciting in design. This is the back of a quilt made for her daughter.

Margaret shows a knot-work quilt she completed.

Sandlin shows a a stunning 'trip around the world' quilt.

A beautiful nine-block quilt by Marie McPhilips.

The front of Mari's quilt for her daughter.

Welcome back to Jackie Mackey with this beautiful quilt.

And a second intricately stitched piece.

Margaret shows the completed quilt made by the beginner's class last year which was raffled amongst the participants.

October Guest Speaker: Ann Fahy

Ann Fahy is a Western Branch member who has had many years of experience and has developed her own style over the years.

Lynn and Mari help to show some of Ann's more recent work.

Ann (centre) shows a series of innovative, colourful quilts with holes.

Ann's quilts are often displayed overlapping eachother which allows the layers and colours to interact.

Ann's earlier quilts, although more traditional in techniqe still showed Ann's interest in creating her own designs from an early stage.

A big thank you to Ann for a very interesting talk with a fantastic display of beautiful work spanning 30 years of innovative quilt-making. It was an inspiring morning at our October meeting!

September: Quilting Bee

After our meeting in September a number of members stayed for a 'quilting bee' to work on the blocks for the Céad Míle Fáilte quilt which will welcome visitors to the International Quilt Festival of Ireland (see www.iqfoi.com) which will take place in June 2012 at the NUI campus, Galway.

September: Show and Tell

As usual there were lots of wonderful projects completed over the summer months and so we had a vibrant show & tell of quilts at the September meeting.

Linda McMulkin had these two quilts to show how to make use of those 'jelly-rolls' (strips of coordinated fabrics).

Jackie O'Toole showed this wonderful bargello quilt.

Lynn showed her completed painted wall-hanging using techniques learned from Design Matters TV.

Sandlin has been busy making baby quilts!

Marilyn's workshop on hand appliqué in November: requirement list

Needle Turn Applique Supply List Fabric

(100% cotton) Avoid stiff or loosely woven cottons
Background Fabric-21 inches by 22 inches - light colored solids or tone on tone -if choosing a print fabric, make sure background fabric doesn’t overwhelm applique pieces (applique should be the focus)
Stems- green fabric -3 strips cut on bias, 1 ¼ inch wide and 8 inches long
Flowers- prints of your choice
Notions Embroidery or small fabric scissors-tips of scissors must be pointed not round
Needles-size 10 or 11 milliners or straw needles are best but sharps will work as well
Thread- 100% cotton is best but use whatever is available.
Match thread as closely as possible to to stems and flowers (don’t match thread color to background)
Paper scissors
Basting thread
Light and dark marking pencils for fabric (can use a lead pencil for light fabrics)
Pencil sharpener
Needle threader
Several wooden toothpicks
Small fabric pins
Small cutting mat
An iron and ironing cloth

Pre-class Preparation
Please bring the following to class already prepared:
Background: Pre-cut to specified size
Stems: Fold bias strip, right sides out (wrong sides of fabric will be to the inside) in equal thirds -Strip should be approximately ½ inches wide -Baste along middle of strip (don’t baste along edges) -Press

September Guest Speaker: Mogs McDonnell shows her designs for 'Fashion Sans Frontieres' at Birmingham Festival of Quilts

Congratulations to Mogs on her fashion collection for 'Fashion sans Frontieres' at the Birmingham Festival of Quilts in August 2011. Chairperson, Lynn Naughton presented Mogs with flowers and a big thank you from the Western Branch for making us so proud! Mogs received an award for the quality of her stitching and workmanship in her evening-wear collection. The Irish Patchwork Society team of 4 received an overall award for their day-wear collection.

Mogs shows the back of her pieced, quilted velvet coat. The title for Mogs' collection was 'Swanning Around on the Corrib'. Taking inspiration from the white, black and orange of the swans and the blue of the lake and sky, Mogs created her colour palette for the collection.

Mogs shows the front of her coat, with fur trim on the neckline.

Mogs created a 70's inspired day-wear look with tie-dyed top, over-sized baker-boy cap, elephant-flare denims and traditional Irish críos (belt) which was hand-woven by Mairéad Sharry on Inisheer.

Mogs gave us a wonderful talk, slide-show (with grateful assistance from Agnes Warren) and show & tell. She took us through her journey from being asked by EQA representative, Loretta O'Brien to participate, creating her 'mood-board' to describe her inspirations, creating each piece, travelling to Birmingham, practicing for the cat-walk and finally the show itself. We are so proud of all her work and in awe of her talent! Keep it up Mogs!

Monthly meeting on September 10th: Welcome back!

Here's a letter from our chairperson Lynn Naughton to welcome you back after the summer break and outline our upcoming activities...

The committee met last week to finalise the details for our upcoming branch meetings. This Saturday we have an exciting line up. Our shop is Rags for Linda and Agnes has moved her talk back to November to allow us to introduce a very special show and tell. Our workshop in the after noon will be a quilting bee to make our Hands for Céad Míle Fáilte. Please see instructions below.

100,000 welcomes! 1,000 quilters throughout Ireland will trace their hand on fabric and sew it onto a 10" square. The block can be made of any kind of white fabric background with green fabric hand, or a green fabric background with a white fabric hand. The block should be quilted with just the wadding behind and no backing. Binding is not necessary. Your name, where you are from, and a welcome message should be written with a fabric pen or stitched onto the front of the block.

Quilters are encouraged to appliqué and embellish their blocks as much as they wish. Blocks will not be returned, but instead sent to our committee and assembled into a 25 metre Irish chain pattern. You will become part of history, as this exhibit will not only be used as the official welcome exhibit for our quilt festival, but will be used as the official welcome exhibit for quilt festivals in the years to come.

In October we have Maeve Meaney bringing her shop, Ann Fahey will be giving us a talk. The workshop in the afternoon will be another quilting bee. Those off you who would like to make a panel for the Internation Quilt Festival of Ireland to be held in Galway next year, are invited to work together on their panels. Details of these panels and entry will be available at our September meeting.

November we have Teresa O'Riordan bringing her shop, Agnes will give us a talk and Marilyn Farrell will give us a workshop on Hand Appliqué.

We look forward to seeing you all again on Saturday, don't for get to bring your sewing supplies and embellishments.

Best Regards Lynn Naughton Chairperson

Tea Duty September Monica Lannon and Maura Cunningham.
October Maureen Martin and Ann Conroy
November Kathy Fallon and Martha Doherty

PS Don't forget your packed lunch

'Galway Celebrates Year of Craft' with a display of craft at the Galway County Hall

'Galway Celebrates Year of Craft' with a display of local craft at the Galway County Hall. The Western Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society is currently displaying a selection of members work from 2nd to 29th August, 2011. It is hoped that the display might attract the attention of those wishing to learn the craft and Membership Application forms have been left at the County Hall for anyone interested. If you are in Galway and wish to view the display it's in the lobby of the County Hall, Prospect Hill, Galway (near TK Maxx).

Western Branch Quilts on the way to Festival of Quilts, Birmingham

Here is the link to see which quilts have been chosen for the shortlists to hang at the IPS stand at the Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, UK.

http://irishpatchwork.blogspot.com/p/branching-out-quilts-selected-for.html

It is hoped to hang all the quilts on the first list, and perhaps, most of the ones on the second. However, there is no guarantee that any particular quilt will hang.

But....congrats to the following Western Branch members who are shortlisted: Marea Mulqueen, Ann Marie Horan, Ester Kiely.

Patricia O'Dowda Obituary

Patricia O'Dowda Obituary

Patricia O’Dowda moved to Westport from Wales in the early1990’s. She had been an active member of the Glamorgan Quilters and in an effort to stimulate interest in patchwork and quilting in her new home area she held a one woman show during the 1991 Westport Arts Festival. In the following months 7 other interested ladies joined Patricia for weekly get togethers. We met in a variety of venues and finally found a home in the Town Hall. The room we used was called the Octagon room and hence we became the Octagon Quilters. Over the years the group has grown to about 20 members, who still meet on a weekly basis, and we have just celebrated our 20th anniversary with an exhibition in the Custom House Studios, Westport.


Patricia had joined the IPS and encouraged the rest of us to follow suit. She enjoyed the company and stimulation of other quilters at the monthly meetings of the Western Branch in Galway. She joined the Western Branch committee and was its Chair in the mid ‘90’s. She also served a term as Education Officer of the IPS.

A great believer in education Patricia set about teaching the techniques of patchwork and quilting to the members of the Octagon group. Visiting teachers were brought to Westport several times a year to pass on their knowledge. She never passed up an opportunity to visit an exhibition or take a trip to visit other quilt groups. We had one memorable trip to Northern Ireland where not only did we meet with local quilters but also had the opportunity to see quilts that are normally held in storage at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra. She encouraged us to exhibit both locally and nationally as it was all promotion of the craft.

Patricia’s own work took on a local flair. Her home, some miles outside Westport, looked out on Croagh Patrick or the Reek as it is known locally. The winding path to the top was clearly visible on fine days. She drew up a pattern of the view from her home and used it as the centre of a medallion style quilt. As a member of Westport Country Markets she displayed this quilt in the market and was inundated with requests for more of the same. She made many of these quilts as wedding gift commissions and being the skilled needle and machine woman that she was she incorporated scenes from the intended couples lives into the surrounding blocks……….farming scenes, pets, hobbies, etc.

Patricia embarked on a number of personal projects. She appliqued and machine embroidered Brighton Pier and the curved sweep of listed buildings in the town. Another project was a wholecloth quilt documenting the history and activities of her family. Her attention to detail and search for the correct fabrics and threads was part of every project. Her home was a veritable treasure trove. One room contained all her works in progress…………and they were always many. Each project was boxed with all the details written on the outside so she could put her hand on any piece in an instant.

From an early age Patricia loved to travel and it was fascinating to listen to her stories which ranged from cycling through Europe in the 1940’s to her visit to China with her son David in the late ‘90’s. We all received pieces of silk which she encouraged us to incorporate in a piece of our work. Her visits to her daughter Kathy in France always resulted in her returning with some local fabrics to be incorporated into yet another project
Due to failing health Patricia moved back to the UK in recent years but she still relished news of Westport and quilting from visiting friends. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Marea E Mulqueen