Western Branch Exhibition

The Western Branch exhibition will run from 1st to 31st May, 2010 at the Galway City Museum. Although the poster attached says it is open daily, the Museum have since advised that for May they are open from Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm.

The Mayor will officially open the exhibition at 6.30pm on Tuesday 4th May and of course all IPS members nationwide are invited! See the attached invitation for details.

For more information on Western Branch activities see
www.westernips.blogspot.com

Limerick Show

Limerick Show will be with us in August and our IPS group will be having an area to display quilts, bags, pillows and everything beautiful. This display will be seperate from any competition that is judged at the show.

We would like to know what you will be displaying with our stand?

We are looking for volunteers to ensure that no one person is inflicted with a large amount of work. Please think about making yourself available to set-up, man a few hours at the show and take down the display.

This is a great opportunity to advertise our group and skills. At the May meeting we will be asking for your support.

May meeting and Villiers Day

A reminder that the Villiers sewing day is on the 9th May. The IPS meeting is on the second Friday of the month which this month will be the 14th May. An unusual time-tabling but hope that everyone will come along to help complete the Milford Hospice Quilt.

Children's Workshop

I think these pictures speak for themselves.

Many thanks to all the people that helped organise, thread needles, brought machines, thread, fabric, skills and the children that made this such a delightful afternoon.

Congratulations to the kids who made such fabulous pictures and cushions. Great sewing, we look forwrds to seeing your skills in the future.

Last Chance to register your quilts for the Festival of Quilts Show

The deadline for entering quilts into one of the competitions at the Festival of Quilts is coming up fast.

Remember you have to register your intention to take part by the end of this month (30th April)!!

Once you've registered the organisers will send you an Entry Form specific to the categories you choose) in May.

Click here to go to the relevant page on the Festival of Quilts website where you can download full rules and regulations along with the registration form:

http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/viewExhibition.aspx?id=25&view=review

Step 1: Register by completing the entry form. Do this before the 30th April. Registering doesnt commit you to entering, but it provides the organisers with an idea of the category you may enter. The fee for EQA members is €9. The fee is payable per entrant, not per quilt - it costs the same regardless of how many quilts you enter (only 1 quilt can be entered per category though).

Step 2: Entry forms. Once you register the organisers will send you an entry form in May, which will have detailed information plus an entry form for each category you wish to enter. Send this form back by the 28th May.

Step 3: Submit your work. The entry forms etc. will have detailed information on where & how to send your quilts, but quilts must be at the designated collection points by Friday 30th July.

Paula Rafferty's Bag Workshop

Paula's workshop was on Mothering sunday, it was a fun day and very busy as there is a large amount of work in each bag.
















At the end of the workshop the bags were nearly complete and had all turned out very differently but with great success.




We look forwards to another workshop to learn how to make some of the other fab bags that Paula has.

March Meeting

The March meeting was well attended and started with a show and tell. Paula showed some quilts with the red and black double sided.




Tracey Watson had brought along her daughters birthday bag made form scraps of material left over from quilting and an old pair of jeans.



Rita and Nora showed book covers that had been made during a workshop.










Fran's apron made from ticking was much admired and won the challenge. Ideas for a theme for the challenge would be welcomed.











Beryl Cadman gave and enlightening talk on the Judging and Jurying process. The talk was extremely interesting and gave an insite into how the quilts and judged.


Top tips include;

Ensure you have an excellent photo of the quilt.
Get the quilt hanging straight.
Check machine tension on a scrap before starting quilting each time.
Make sure straight lines are straight and curved lines are curved.
Quilting stitches should be smooth and consistant.
Ensure that there is enough quilting.
Binding should be smooth and full.
Corners should be exact and consistant.

Also read the entry form and enter into the correct category and remember that it is the quilt that is being judged not the quilter.

Beryl was extremely helpful and gave many more tips.