Hands Across the Border Exhibition

Title: President Mary McAleese Launches “Hands Across the Border” Patchwork Exhibition

President McAleese is set to launch the “Hands Across the Border” exhibition in the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin on Wednesday February 25th. The exhibition which is held every two years, is named in honour of the co-operation between the Irish Patchwork Society and Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild, and will display the work of its members to the public Thursday 26th February until Sunday 15th March from 10am until 4pm each day.

The view of the Botanic Gardens from the Visitor Centre will be the perfect environment for the variety of work ranging from traditional to contemporary that will be on display. The theme for this exhibition is “A Journey”, which was inspired by President McAleese’s journey in her role as President of Ireland. Those exhibiting will be using their own personal journeys through life, for inspiration in designing their quilts. As the quilts are made from those expressing their individual memories, each quilt will be different and tell its own story.

Among the exhibitors this year, Ann Fleeton, an Irish Patchwork Society member will be displaying a piece of her work. Ann is a textile artist from Dublin, with training as a geologist and has had her work exhibited worldwide. A strong passion for the study of art history influences her work in both colour and texture. A huge achievement for her was winning the Overall Award of Excellence and California Gold Medal in the Royal Dublin Society Annual Crafts Competition. A well known Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild member, Irene McWilliams will also be displaying her work. As a freelance lecturer, her style consists of free machines and experimenting with new decorative techniques. Many of her pieces incorporate text, often almost hidden, so will no doubt be fascinating to view.

This is a special exhibition and will allow its visitors to celebrate and bask in the creativity by all those involved. It will not disappoint those who come with high hopes to see the talent that will be shown through the quilts.

We hope to see you there!

For further information on the exhibition, please email the Irish Patchwork Society at admin@irishpatchwork.ie

Celebrating 20 Years of the EQA

The Irish Patchwork Society is a member of the European Quilting Association along with other patchwork and quilting groups from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden United Kingdom. Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Hungary and Iceland.

Today the member countries of the European Quilt Association work closely together to promote patchwork and quilting in Europe. The EQA aims to bring quilters from different countries together to get to know each other and to exchange knowledge and skills. At present there are about 62,000 members.

2009 is the 20th anniversary of the EQA and the IPS will be submitting 10 quilts with the theme 'Celebrations', to a European exhibition. These 170 banner quilts will be launched at the Festival of Quilts in August 2009. IPS members can get more details in their Winter 2008 newsletter.

For information on how to join the IPS, visit our website.

Exhibition of Quilts from Ireland in Canada 2009

The third annual quilt exhibition in Ailsa Craig, Ontario, Canada will feature quilts from Ireland. The exhibition organisers will be attending the eastern branch meeting at St. Anthony’s Hall, Clontarf on Saturday 24th January at 10.00 a.m. Members of all branches are invited to attend this meeting to hear more their plans for the exhibition, the venues and format.
If you are interested in travelling to Canada in October to help with the exhibition, then this is your opportunity to find out more.

In 2008, the exhibition featured Quilts from East Africa.

Please visit the eastern branch site for more details on this and on a workshop on the 25th of January.

'A Journey' - 2009 Quilt Exhibition

The Hands Across the Border exhibition opens in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin on February 25th. This exhibition is a biennial exhibition from the members of the Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild and the Irish Patchwork Society.

Entries are invited from members of the IPS and members can find the entry form here or in their Winter 2008 newsletter.

Timelines
9th January 2009. Entry form completed and with your Branch Representative.
(See your newsletter for Branch Rep name and contact details.)
January Branch Meeting. Finished piece to be submitted.
6th February 2009. Entries with Branch Reps
25th February 2009. Exhibition Opens

The exhibition title is 'A Journey' - any technique, no size limit and must be three layers.

Visit the Hands Across the Border 'Hanging Together' exhibition from 2007 from the members of the NIPG and IPS in our virtual exhibition space. To renew your membership or join our society visit us at http://www.irishpatchwork.ie.

Update from the Knitting and Stitching Show

The IPS stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show in the RDS, Dublin from 30th October to 2nd November proved very popular.

The quilts on display from our 'Links' national exhibition were much admired, these quilts was also exhibited in Kilkenny in June this year and are now on permanent display in our virtual exhibition space. Visit the 'Links' exhibition.