Our October
meeting at the Baptist Church was a really enjoyable one. We were as usual,
updated with all the most recent and relevant information on forthcoming local,
national events, matters regarding our constitution and the upcoming AGM.
Suzanne Pass
had three items to display. A beautiful multi-coloured large patchwork bag, her
Halloween panel that she machined quilted and her “Do Not Touch” piece for
entry at the AGM. This was of a rose she photographed while on holiday in
Dingle, Co. Kerry and then transferred it to a beautiful eye-catching pink
material with exact mitred corners. It was quite a talking point for many of
the attendees. We wished her well for the AGM.
Ruth Bourke
is a very modest person who produces a prolific amount of excellent patch work.
Her lap quilt was a beautiful multi-coloured piece of work and the quilt that
she made for her Mum was just as exquisite. It was made from a “Layered Cake”
bundle of floral, rustic, black and cream materials with exact and precision sewing.
However, the most striking feature was her use of a panel incorporated
into the back of the quilt which she acquired from The Limerick Quilt Centre.
It is aspects of quilts like these that make the rest of us open our minds to
the use of such panels that we would otherwise not consider buying.
Five cushions
were displayed by Tracy Watson. Again, Tracy is a member who imparts her
knowledge and her expertise in a very helpful and friendly manner. This
approach helps in no small way to make our nights/meetings the enjoyable events
they are.
The obvious
friendship between Áine Bennis and Isabel Cagney was very apparent as they
proudly displayed their wares. Áine held her beautiful animal nine patch quilt
and bag aloft for all to see. Her combination of red, cream and green
materials were well chosen for the quilt and cleverly incorporated the letters
of her name into some of the squares. Isabel I believe, could see her name in
lights as a famous model someday as she proudly displayed her lovely pink and
grey apron.
Our guest
speaker.
A symphony of
colour is my only way to describe the quilts that Ann O’Rafferty displayed on
the night. Her work, from her very first quilt, which she displayed with slight
reservation, to her beautiful Baltimore Quilt brought to my mind the book
“American Quilt Classics” by Patricia Cox. A quotation from same says “A
collection of quilts such as these is a personal thing, it reflects, various
aspects of its collector, and among them her interests”. Ann’s collection displayed
all of the above. Many of our members nation-wide, have in their possession
wonderful collections of quilts, which hopefully will be documented in the
on-going archival procedure now taking place. The Midwestern Branch were very
impressed with Ann’s overall presentation and would encourage other branches to
avail of her as a guest speaker as she held us spell-bound throughout the
night.
“Seams Sew
Simple” was our shop on the night. The committee would like to thank Lynn for a
wonderful assortment of materials and patchwork accessories to help our members
with their projects.
ANN O’RAFERTY’S HAND APPLIQUE WORKSHOP SUNDAY 12TH
OCTOBER.
At Villiers
School we appeared from the fog,
To a workshop
on Applique the “old fashioned way”,
With
instructions, materials and sharp scissors to boot,
We marched to
the class-room our teacher to salute.
After meeting
and greeting we all took our seats,
Tried not to
look anxious as we shuffled our feet,
We hoped we
brought everything required for the day,
Reassured by our
neighbour not to worry that way.
We all know
intricate applique designs,
Ann told us
not to worry this piece was not so inclined,
Our pattern
was transferred to freezer paper you see,
She told us
to dissect it but not A, B and C.
We
transferred our design to our material of choice,
And with
skilful tuition she made it easy and nice,
Ann glided
amongst us to guide us with ease,
Our problems
sometimes unusual were solved like a breeze.
This workshop
by Ann was appreciated by all
And some to
applique were definitely called,
And with
child-like enthusiasm we left her that day,
Our quilts
and our cushions we will someday display.
Alice Quaid
P.R.O. Mid West Branch
