Contemporary Quilt Group

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Hello and welcome to the Contemporary Group web page!

 We are a diverse group of over 400 quilters and fabric artists at the cutting edge of quilt making.  We like to work in textiles to create innovative and dynamic art.  Many of our members have exhibited work nationally.  However we also want to encourage newer quilters to extend and develop their work. 

We set group challenges which are open to all members, work is selected for exhibition and our varied work styles can be taken to a wider audience.   For the last three years we have had the opportunity to make journal quilts to develop new styles of working, record memories and express our feelings.

If you are interested in developing  your  own creative abilities or are interested in contemporary quilts and would like to join us, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Ali Mesley, Co-ordinator

e: contemp@quiltersguild.org.uk

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2010 AGM is in London

The date of the AGM is Saturday 17 April, and it will be held at St Georges Church, Bloomsbury, London WC1. We're delighted that the speaker will be Anne Smith, who has had quilts in the prestigious Quilt National several times, and in 2009 won Best of Show. See her work at http://www.thepainterlyquilt.blogspot.com, and book your ticket using the form in the January newsletter.

 

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Contemporary Quilt Group

The aims of the Contemporary Quilt Group are allied to those of The Quilters’ Guild, in that we aim to promote the appreciation, knowledge and skills of patchwork and quilting to our members and the general public. In addition, the Contemporary Group endeavours to:

• Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information relating to the practice of contemporary quiltmaking.
• Take traditional techniques and push them to their limits by using new fabrics and technology and encouraging original design.
• Encourage members to be makers and exhibitors of their own work and to attend and appreciate exhibitions of contemporary work.

The group is open to all interested members of The Quilters’ Guild, both makers and appreciators of contemporary practice in quilting and patchwork. For an application form and information about joining Contemporary Quilt, please contact Ali Mesley at contemp@quiltersguild.org.uk

 

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Regional groups

Thames Valley group met in Bracknell on 21 November. The main item on the agenda was a wide-ranging talk by Linda Seward about her career in craft publishing and as an author of books and articles about quilting. The afternoon consisted of a visit to South Hill Park arts centre - Sandy had arranged for a guided tour, which included being the first people to see the finished stage set for the pantomime, and we were fortunate that the rain held off for a walk in the grounds, sketching and photographing autumn colour. The day finished with a show and tell. 

The next meeting is 16 January, Birch Hill Community Centre, Bracknell, 11-4. Contact Sandy Snowden for more information.

 

North West group held an introductory meeting at Ruthin Craft Centre on 21 October. Much of the time was spent in the cafe, putting names to faces, discussing what we wanted (and didn't want) from a local group, and taking part in a show and tell. We maaged to find time to stretch our legs and wander around the current exhibitions and workshops!

The next meeting will be on Friday 27 November at Frodsham Community Centre, when the focus will be on using sketchbooks and cameras. Contact Linda Bilsborrow for more information.

 

 

 

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2009 Journal Quilt Project

After an A4 format in 2007 and a 12" square format in 2008 we decided in 2009 on a rectangular 6" x 12" format for our Journal Quilt Project.  The format could be used portrait or landscape.  It was obviously popular, as 122 members signed up to each produce one little quilt each month for a whole year. 

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The Suitcase Collection

The theme for CQ's Suitcase Collection quilts is "Figure It Out"

 

The suitcase collection is now ready for hire. It contains 56 A3-sized pieces representing a cross section of the work of CQ members and a full colour catalogue. A charge of £15 is made to cover insurance and administration. Borrowers will pay carriage costs, which should not be greater than £55 for a return journey.

To hire the collection please contact Frieda Oxenham:

e: friedaquilter@yahoo.com

t: 01968 660 948

 

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The Thin Blue Line challenge and exhibition

'The Thin Blue Line'  showed at Loch Lomond in May, and a selection of quilts were shown at Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes, Wales, in August and September.

48 specially made quilts were selected for the exhibition at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery between 7 June and 12 July 2008, each with a 'thin blue line' running from side to side (sometimes these lines were very thin indeed!).

15 of the Thin Blue Line quilts were published in the 02/2009 issue of Patchwork Professional, a German-language magazine.

A set of 10 postcards (size 7.5 x 21 cm) is available from Ali Mesley, 15 King Street, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 1BY for £4.50 including p&p.

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2009 challenge - Breakthrough

The theme for the 2009 Challenge was 'Breakthrough' which inspired a wide variety of interpretations, from the scientific to the literal and personal.  The standard was very high and members showed the broad spectrum of skills and techniques which you would expect to find in a group of quilters dedicated to exploring and expanding the boundaries of quilting today.

 

 

 

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'Little Gems' at the Festival of Quilts 2009

Thanks to the over 2000 contributors of Little Gem quilts - the tombola at the Festival of Quilts was an amazing success, raising over £10,000 for the Quilt Museum and Gallery! We don't yet know exactly what they'll be doing with the money, but museums have many expenses and priorities and undoubtedly they'll use it wisely.

The Little Gem Quilts website is still available, with photos of over 1000 quilts. If you're a winner, do find your quilt and leave a comment:

http://littlegemquilts.wordpress.com

 

 

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Summer School

The 2010 summer school is being planned for 2-4 July, and will be at Alston Hall in Lancashire - in 2011 it will be in southern England.

The 2009 summer school was held at Alston Hall from 29 to 31 May. Tutors were Jette Clover (Fun with Printing), Jae Maries (Splash, Tint and Daub), and Karina Thompson (Slashing: how to do horrible things to horrible fabrics to make them beautiful).

 

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2009 AGM

On 14 March about 30 of CQ's 350 members met in York to conduct business, followed by an excellent and inspiring talk by Helen Parrott and a visit to the Quilt Museum.  

The topics on the agenda generated constructive discussion, and members had a chance to air their views, show their work in a show-and-tell session, and socialise. 

The 2010 AGM will be held in London on 17 April. 

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About The Contemporary Quilt Group

The group was set up by Annette Morgan, who handed the job over to Effie Galletly in August 2002 for the following two years. Effie, along with Judy Stephens as our first Newsletter Editor, and Margaret Ramsay, helped shape the beginnings of what is now such a successful part of The Guild. As well as our informative and challenging quarterly newsletter we have a yahoo group where we can exchange news and views.

 

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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