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Welcome to The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles

St Anthony's Hall in York - the Head Office and Museum of The Quilters' Guild

About The Quilters' Guild

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles is an independent registered educational charity which is dedicated to preserving the heritage and craft of quilting and patchwork in the UK.  The Guild has its Head Office and Museum at St Anthony's Hall, Peasholme Green in York where it moved in 2008 after many years searching for a suitable home.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many members and the donations, legacies and fund raising of The Guild's supporters it was possible to bring the offices, the collections and the library under one roof.  There is also a large gallery space which allows a changing programme of exhibitions.

The Guild has many faces ranging from a source of information on quilting and patchwork, to a provider of regional activities where friendships can be formed with like-minded people, to the custodians of a large collection of quilts.  These include items from as early as the famous 1718 silk coverlet to contemporary pieces produced by modern textile artists.  There is scope for all tastes and interests to be accommodated.  Few crafts are more versatile and satisfying than quiltmaking and there are so many techniques to inspire a quilter.

Preserving Our Heritage

In 1990 The Guild embarked on the `British Heritage Quilt Project` to document items of patchwork and quilting dated prior to 1960, resulting in the publication of `Quilt Treasures` in 1995.  In June 2001 we opened a small Resource Centre in our previous offices in Dean Clough, Halifax and this provided a stepping stone to our current home in York which opened just seven years later in June 2008. There we have dedicated educational facilities and, funded by The Heritage Lottery, a full time Education Officer who is establishing links with the local community as well as working on providing events for our members.

Regional Activities

The Quilters' Guild is divided into 18 regions throughout the UK. Each regional committee organises regional days and area days, several times a year, with speakers, competitions and events that are supported by local traders. Each region has a newsletter that advises members of local events and items of interest. Most of these are financially supported through advertisements from traders.  Guild members receive a copy of their own Regional Newsletter and are entitled to reduced charges when attending workshops and other Guild events.

Our Journal - The Quilter

A quarterly Journal, The Quilter is despatched to all members and through its pages the Editor aims to keep them informed of Guild events, information in the quilting world, ideas, quilts, thoughts, tips and designs. Contributions come from both professsional and amateur quilters with a lively Letters section and Diary pages to keep everyone up to date with events around the regions.

A twice-yearly supplement, Textile Perspectives is included in The Quilter and aims to broaden the area of interest from quilts to textiles in general. As a serious journal, the Textile Perspectives attracts professional writers on textiles from both the UK and overseas who contribute articles on a wide range of subjects. Copies of Textile Perspectives are sent to galleries, museums, craft associations, art schools and university departments. Circulation to such prestigious bodies helps to raise the profile of The Guild and quiltmaking in general in the wider art and academic world.

International

The Guild also has an International Section which offers membership to quilters outside the UK.  This allows quilters from abroad to maintain contact with The Guild in the UK through the receipt of our magazine. Quilt guilds are flourishing throughout Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Together with magazines, exhibitions and symposiums, they all provide vital contact and a source of information for quilters.  The Guild's International Officer acts as a point of contact for quilters and guilds from around the world.

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Guild Accounts 2008

2008 Accounts

The Guild's end of year accounts are now available to read in PDF format.

2008 Accounts

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The Quilters' Guild of The British Isles
St Anthony's Hall
York, YO1 7PW
United Kingdom

www.quiltersguild.org.uk
info@quiltersguild.org.uk
t: 01904 613242
f: 01904 632394