Saturday, 11th December 2021 – 11.00 a.m.
Christmas Zoom Meeting
The Christmas meeting will be held via Zoom on Saturday, 11th December 2021.
As is now traditional, there will be a Christmas Challenge again this year. The Judge for this year’s Challenge will be Sarane Brennan, Quayside Quilting, Wicklow Town – https://www.quayside-quilting.com/ As usual, three prizes will be awarded!
You may enter Christmas craft items such as table runners/centre, wall hangings etc. with the following size limits: 15″ x 15″ square, 15″ x 25″ rectangle or 15″ diameter (circle). More than one entry may be submitted by members.
If you would like to enter the Challenge, please send photographs of your Christmas themed item(s) to webminder@wicklowpatchwork.ie The deadline for receiving entries is Wednesday, 8th December 2021.
All entries will be uploaded to the Gallery section of the website. To facilitate judging, entries will only be given a number and will be displayed without names.
We look forward to receiving a wide variety of entries for the Challenge.
2021 Speakers/Shops
All Speakers/Shops who joined us at our Zoom meetings throughout the year have been invited to join in our Christmas Meeting festivities. We look forward to meeting up with them again, albeit virtually!
So have your mince pies, mulled wine, tea/coffee etc. at the ready and enjoy the meeting!
Quayside Quilting – Offer for WPG Members
Sarane Brennan of Quayside Quilting based in Wicklow Town is offering very good discounts to WPG members and also has a No Sew Christmas Bauble Kit Offer.
Contact:
Quayside Quilting, Mall Mews, South Quay, Wicklow Town. Wicklow, A67 PW95
Telephone – 089 441 3118 to book a quilting slot(s) or kits. Full details of the services being offered are available from Sarane . Please mention that you are a member to avail of the discounts.
Sarane is at Quayside Quilting everyday except Mondays. You may also contact her via the website www.quayside-quilting.com
Wednesday, 24th November 2021
Online Zoom Demonstration at 7.30 p.m.
This month’s Zoom Demonstration will be held on Wednesday, 24th November 2021 at 7.30 p.m. The demonstration will be given by Mairead Hutchinson who will be showing us how to make Christmas Tree Napkins.
Saturday, 20th November 2021 – 11.00 a.m.
Monthly Zoom Meeting
The next monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Saturday, 20th November 2021. We are delighted to welcome Mary Palmer back as our guest speaker for the meeting. Mary will be telling us all about her 2019 trip to Azerbaijan. She will also show members how to resize quilt blocks. Check out Mary’s website https://marimudesigns.com/
RAFFLE in Aid of Wicklow Dementia Support Group
Prize: Quilt made by Members of Wicklow Patchwork Group
And the winner is…….
WPG Chair, Moira Byrne and Orla Flynn of Wicklow Dementia Support Group
The raffle for the Quilt made by WPG members in aid of Wicklow Dementia Support Group was held on 31st October 2021 at 4.00 p.m. The winning ticket was picked by Orla Flynn of Wicklow Dementia Support Group.
And the winner of the Quilt is Joan Jones. Congratulations Joan!
Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket and also helped to sell raffle tickets (WPG Members and Quilt/Fabric Shops).
The WPG Committee would also like to thank WPG Committee member Anne Fannin for all her work with organising ticket sales and collection of the raffle money.
This beautiful Tulip and PinWheel Quilt was made by WPG members to assist with the fund raising efforts of Wicklow Dementia Support who are currently our designated Charity. Wicklow Dementia Support Group.
Members collaborated by making the blocks which were then assembled by member Gwen Gould. We would like to thank Gwen for all her work in putting the blocks together. A big thank you also to all our members who made the blocks. A special word of thanks also to Nikki Foley of The Sewing Shed who very kindly did the wonderful quilting for us.
To purchase raffle tickets contact Wicklow Patchwork Group by email – admin@wicklowpatchwork.ie
Saturday, 13th November 2021 – 10.30 a.m.
Sit & Sew Zoom Morning
Our next Sit & Sew Morning will be held via Zoom on Saturday, 13th November 2021 at 10.30 a.m. (Zoom Session opens at 10.20 a.m.) Why not join in and have a chat while you work on your current project or one of your UFOs which is calling out for attention!
Big Barn Art & Antiques Exhibition, Bridgetown, Co. Wexford
19th – 31st October 2021
The exhibition at Big Barn Art & Antiques features one of our own WPG Members/Committee Members – Josephine Whitmore:
“Big Barn Art and Antiques are delighted to announce that we have 2 festival exhibitions here at Big Barn Art & Antiques from 19th – 31st Oct 2021. Josephine Whitmore, international patchwork quilter & textile artist & Tracey Kehoe, emerging artist. Open everyday from 19th -31st Oct from 1pm – 5 pm. Eircode Y35 VH05. All Welcome”
Congratulations to Josephine from all at Wicklow Patchwork Group.
Address details: Big Barn Art & Antiques, Bridgetown, Co. Wexford Y35 VH05
Wednesday, 27th October 2021 – Zoom Demonstration
7.30 p.m.
Our next WPG Demonstration will be held on Wednesday, 27th October 2021 at 7.30 p.m. with Emma Hogsett. Emma will demonstrate how to make a useful vinyl bag/pouch for all those bits and pieces etc.
Watch Emma’s demonstration here Link to pattern – https://sewcanshe.com/sew-vinyl-zipper-pouches-with-a-cute-dumpling-shape-free-tutorial/
Saturday, 9th October 2021 – 10.30 a.m.
Sit & Sew Zoom Morning
Our next Sit & Sew Morning will be held via Zoom on Saturday, 9th October 2021 at 10.30 a.m. (Zoom Session opens at 10.20 a.m.) Why not join in and have a chat while you work on your current project or one of your UFOs which is calling out for attention!
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday morning.
Saturday, 16th October 2021 – 11.00 a.m.
Monthly Zoon Meeting
Our next monthly meeting will be held via Zoom at 11.00 a.m. on Saturday, 16th October 2021. The Crafty Fox from Drogheda will be our Guest Shop for the meeting. They will also do an online demonstration. We look forward to welcoming them to the meeting which will be their first visit to WPG.
Sewing Kits for Syrian Refugees in South Lebanon
We have a new challenge for members!
We are asking you to make a simple sewing/mending kit that will be sent to a school for Syrian refugees in South Lebanon to help their parents make life better with some simple sewing tools to do basic mending for their families.
Fr. William Stuart runs the school and he describes the school as follows:
“Our school in Tyre South Lebanon exists to provide basic education to the poorest of refugees from Syria. The majority of our pupils from age 7 are working on the streets. We provide the very basics in Arabic, English and Maths.
In addition we feed them, cloth them and provide food parcels to their families and financially intervene when eviction is threatened.
Without the support from Ireland we could only look on. With your support we make their lives tolerable.”
We would like you to make a simple small bag with a zip or drawstring closure that can hold some sewing essentials. The dimensions should be about 7” or 8” – rectangular or square – for the zippered bag and maybe a bit bigger for the drawstring version – 7” x 10” perhaps. Either way it could then contain a selection of basic sewing tools, for example a few spools of thread, needles, a selection of buttons of different sizes and colours, a small scissors, elastic, safety pins, Velcro or whatever you feel would be good or you have to spare.
Here are a couple of free online pattern websites:
https://www.sewcanshe.com/free-bag-patterns
https://missdaisypatterns.com/sewing-kit-projects-bag-patterns/
But of course there are lots more on the internet or in your books and magazines. Whatever takes your fancy but remember to keep it small and relatively simple.
We will collect the Kits from you at our Car Park Meeting at the Community Hall in Newtownmountkennedy on the 18th September 2021.
If you have any queries contact a member of the committee.
Fabric/Craft Shops
Shops – our list of fabric/craft shops has been updated.
Wednesday, 22nd September 2021 – Zoom Demonstration
7.30 p.m.
Our next WPG Demonstration will be held on Wednesday, 22nd September 2021 at 7.30 p.m. The demonstration will be given by member Gwen Gould who will be showing us how to make an Iron Caddy Tote Bag. Click here for the bag pattern.
Just join in the event, watch and learn, and ask any questions that occur to you.
Saturday, 18th September 2021 at 11.00 a.m.
Car Park Meeting
The September monthly Meeting will be an outdoor Car Park Meeting held in Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre. It will be wonderful for us all to meet again in person and display all the quilts and other items we have been working on since our last Car Park Meeting in August 2020.
The holding of the meeting will be in line with Government Covid-19 Guidelines.
Shop – Friends of Terri McNeill will be providing a shop of her fabric and all things patchwork at the meeting. Please bring cash for your purchases.
Book of Condolences – A book of condolences will also be available for signing at the meeting to mark Terri’s involvement with WPG and all that she taught us in her workshops and classes.
Syrian Refugees in South Lebanon – don’t forget to bring your drawstring sewing bags for collection!
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
Saturday, 11th September 2021 – 10.30 a.m.
Sit & Sew Zoom Morning
Our next Sit & Sew Morning will be held via Zoom on Saturday, 11th September 2021 at 10.30 a.m. (Zoom Session opens at 10.20 a.m.) Why not join in and have a chat while you work on your current project or one of your UFOs which is calling out for attention!
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday morning.
Saturday, 21st August 2021 – Monthly Zoom Meeting
11.00 a.m. – Sit & Sew Session
As is traditional our August monthly meeting will be a Sit & Sew Session. There will also be an update on upcoming events for the autumn, and Show & Tell. Also included will be an online demonstration by Sarane Brennan of Quayside Quilting. Take the opportunity to show other members what you have been working on over the summer months!
Wednesday, 25th August 2021 – Zoom Demonstration
7.30 p.m.
Our next WPG Demonstration will be held on Wednesday, 25th August 2021 at 7.30 p.m. The demonstration will be given by member Mairead Hutchinson. She will be showing us how to make a Nappy Hanger which hangs from the ceiling. It can hold nappies or indeed any other items you wish to place in it! For instructions on how to make the Nappy Hanger click here
Just join in the event, watch and learn, and ask any questions that occur to you.
Sensory Items – Fiddle/Fidget Items
As we continue to follow the Covid-19 guidelines and therefore are unable to hold our monthly meetings for the moment, the Committee is suggesting that members, or their family members/friends, may be interested in making sensory blankets/cushions – Fiddle/Fidget items. They are suitable for young children, those with disabilities or with dementia. Our 2020 Charity – Wicklow Dementia Support – https://wicklowdementiasupport.org/
Attached are some photos of a fidget/fiddle cushion that one of our WPG Committee members made in autumn 2018 for a charity group for the Irish Patchwork Society (IPS) Eastern Branch. The branch asks members regularly to make these items for local dementia care homes.
Below are some links to websites and information that you might find useful: (we could not find any Irish information):
https://www.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/189651/FIDGET-QUILT-for-website-And-members-who-request-via-email.pdf
https://www.with-heart-and-hands.com/2015/08/making-fidget-quilts-for-alzheimers.html
https://www.crossroadshospice.com/hospice-palliative-care-blog/2019/january/31/using-fidget-blankets-for-alzheimer-s-or-dementia/
Instructions – here is a link with instructions for making a Fidget/Fiddle Item – hopefully you will find it useful and it helps to get you on your way!
http://wicklowpatchwork.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/WPG-Fidget-Instructions.pdf
Please share with us any photos that you take of the Fidget or Fiddle items you make by emailing them to webminder@wicklowpatchwork.ie
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 we are unable to collect any items for the Charity. However, we thought it might be nice to keep the Wicklow Dementia Support Group in mind!
Happy Sewing/Quilting/Crafting and Keep Safe!
Sewing Kits for Syrian Refugees in South Lebanon
We have a new challenge for members!
We are asking you to make a simple sewing/mending kit that will be sent to a school for Syrian refugees in South Lebanon to help their parents make life better with some simple sewing tools to do basic mending for their families.
Fr. William Stuart runs the school and he describes the school as follows:
“Our school in Tyre South Lebanon exists to provide basic education to the poorest of refugees from Syria. The majority of our pupils from age 7 are working on the streets. We provide the very basics in Arabic, English and Maths.
In addition we feed them, cloth them and provide food parcels to their families and financially intervene when eviction is threatened.
Without the support from Ireland we could only look on. With your support we make their lives tolerable.”
We would like you to make a simple small bag with a zip or drawstring closure that can hold some sewing essentials. The dimensions should be about 7” or 8” – rectangular or square – for the zippered bag and maybe a bit bigger for the drawstring version – 7” x 10” perhaps. Either way it could then contain a selection of basic sewing tools, for example a few spools of thread, needles, a selection of buttons of different sizes and colours, a small scissors, elastic, safety pins, Velcro or whatever you feel would be good or you have to spare.
Here are a couple of free online pattern websites:
https://www.sewcanshe.com/free-bag-patterns
https://missdaisypatterns.com/sewing-kit-projects-bag-patterns/
But of course there are lots more on the internet or in your books and magazines. Whatever takes your fancy but remember to keep it small and relatively simple.
We will collect the Kits from you at our Car Park Meeting at the Community Hall in Newtownmountkennedy on the 18th September 2021.
If you have any queries contact a member of the committee.
11th July 2021 – Virtual Workshop with GillianTravis
Gillian Travis Workshop – Indian Women. If you are interested in attending the full day workshop, please contact our Workshop Organiser, Kirsty Whaley at workshops@wicklowpatchwork.ie to book a place and for further information. The workshop will be held virtually via Zoom.
17th July 2021 – Monthly Zoom Meeting
11.00 a.m.
Our July Zoom meeting will be held on Saturday, 17th at 11.00 a.m. Our special guest for the meeting is Mary Durkan of The Craft & Sewing Basket, Sligo. This will be Mary’s first visit to WPG and we really look forward to welcoming her.
She will take us on a virtual tour of her shop and show us her extensive selection of haberdashery, patchwork and dressmaking fabrics, wools, etc. She will also be doing a demonstration. Mary’s website is https://thecraftandsewingbasket.ie/
12th June 2021 – Monthly Zoom Meeting
11.00 a.m.
Our next monthly Zoom meeting will be held on Saturday, 19th June 2021 at 11.00 a.m. Our speaker for the meeting is Gillian Travis, award winning textile artist, author and tutor. Take a look at her wonderful work on her website https://gilliantravis.co.uk/
15th May 2021 Zoom Meeting
The next monthly Zoom Meeting will be held on Saturday, 15th May, 2021 at 11.00 a.m. Our Special Guest for the meeting is Lynne Naughton of Seams Sew Simple. We really look forward to welcoming her and seeing her lovely shop/work.
17th April 2021 Zoom Meeting
Our next Zoom Meeting will be held on Saturday, 17th April 2021 at 11.00 a.m. We are delighted to welcome Gaye Grant of the Fennel Shed in Buncrana as our guest speaker. She will also take us on a tour of her wonderful shop and give us a demonstration – https://thefennelshed.ie/ This is not the first time that Gaye has been our guest speaker and we are so pleased to have her back, albeit virtually!
20th March 2021 Zoom Meeting
11.00 a.m.
Our regular monthly meeting will be held on Saturday, 20th March 2021 at 11.00 a.m. Member Tomomi McElwee will be our guest speaker for the meeting and will show us some of her wonderful work. Tomomi has been our Speaker in the past and we are delighted that she will be back to address us again. You can follow her work at https://slaneyquiltingstudio.com/
20th February 2021 Zoom Meeting. AGM
11.00 a.m.
As well as our regular monthly meeting, the AGM will also be held on 20th February 2021. Ethelda Ellis will be our guest speaker for the meeting. She had been booked for a workshop on the day but will now give us a talk about techniques. Ethelda has been with us before and we are very pleased to have her back. http://ethelda.blogspot.com/
16th January 2021 Zoom Meeting
11.00 a.m.
Our first meeting of the year will be held on Saturday, 16th January 2021 at 11.00 a.m. The meeting will include a short breakout session where members can share what they are working on.
We are also delighted to welcome Ann Marie of Crafty Studio who will give us a tour of her shop and will demonstrate the disappearing hourglass.
Gwen Gould will show us the fantastic job she has done on piecing the Charity quilt. There will be the usual show and tell at the end of the meeting.
Terri McNeill
1960-2021
Our treasured member, friend and teacher passed away on Tuesday, 9th March 2021. There were few people who patchwork and quilt, who were not taught or inspired by Terri. Members have described her as ‘a kind, gentle soul’ and ‘a wonderfully talented lady’. Many have remarked on how privileged they felt to have had the opportunity to make at least one of her quilts in her classes and all say they owe her so much for inspiring and encouraging us in our craft.
We will all miss her deeply.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her husband Don and her ‘boys’, her family and her friends.
One thing is certain she will be remembered in every stitch we make (and the ones we rip out) and in every quilt we finish (or don’t).
Thank you Terri.
