Who We Are

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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.

Our Mission Statement

To promote excellence in the art and status of quilt making and, through education, to extend knowledge and understanding of its heritage.

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.

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.

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.

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Membership

The Quilters' Guild is a national membership organisation started in 1979 and now has nearly 7,000 individual members, mostly from the UK, but also from Europe and other parts of the world. Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in quilting or patchwork whether as a hobby, through work or for any other reason.  A junior branch, The Young Quilters, caters for members between 8 and 16 years of age and students of full time textile course who are up to 24 years of age are able to join as Student members.

Our Membership Information is available to be downloaded as a pdf file by clicking here.

Download and print PDF: Membership Information Booklet

If you need a printed copy please apply to our Head Office on 01904 613 242.

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How does The Guild work?

The Guild is run primarily by volunteers, with a core of employees working from our Head Office in York and operates with the following structure:

• There is an Executive which consists of the President, the Treasurer and four Heads of Division who meet at least six times a year. The Board of Trustees consists of these same six people plus up to six other Trustees elected from the membership. This group currently meets three times a year.
• The Divisions are  Membership, Operations, Museum and Marketing. Guild Officers are responsible for sections within their respective Divisions and respond directly to their Head of Division.
• In addition, the UK is divided into eighteen Regions, each run by a Co-ordinator and a team of local members who organise regional events. For many, this is the most fulfilling aspect of their Guild membership and many friendships develop as a result of the regional structure and events.
• There is an addition International section which caters for Guild members who live outside the UK.

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Guild Accounts 2008

The Guild's end of year accounts for 2008 are now available to read in PDF format.

2008 Accounts

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Guild Accounts 2009

The Guild's Annual Report and Accounts for 2009 are now available to download in PDF format.

Please be aware that if you are attending the AGM we will have only a limited number of copies and it would be very helpful if you printed off your own copy in advance.

When looking at the overall figures, please do not be too alarmed at the apparent net deficit of £126,159.  £92,739 of this money was spent from the Heritage Lottery Fund Grant which we received in 2008 and carried forward into 2009.

The actual operating deficit is made up of a surplus on general funds of £85,951 less the defricit on restricted funds of £119,956, leaving us with an operating deficit of £34,005 for 2009.

If you have any specific questions on the accounts please e-mail me at chiefexec@quiltersguild.org.uk.  Bear in mind that I will be at the AGM Conference from 26th to 28th March.

Liz Whitehouse, Chief Executive QGBI

2009 Accounts

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2009 AGM Minutes and Reports

The Minutes and Reports of The Guild's 2009 AGM are now available to read and print in PDF format.

2009 AGM Minutes and Reports

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Guild Rules, Articles and Memorandum

The Rules of The Quilters Guild, our Articles and our Memorandum are available to members on request from the office. To save on production costs and postage we would prefer to provide these by e-mail but we can send a printed copy if e-mail is not accessible to you. You will be asked to provide your membership number as proof of entitlement.

If you wish you may download a PDF version of the rules by clicking the link below.

Download the current rules

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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