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Coordinator, Region 10
Fiona Flewitt
t: 07532 319435
My interest in Patchwork and Quilting started during the Covid lockdown when I took up English Paper Piecing. Prior to that my only craft interests had been knitting and cross stitch. I decided that the only way I would learn more was to interact with the people who knew what they were doing, so I joined the Quilters Guild in 2021, and have not been disappointed.
I went to the Festival of Quilts in 2022 on my own as I was not sure what to expect and spent the whole day chatting to people and spending money - it was perfect! I have previously held the role of Advertising Rep on our committee, and am now looking forward to my new role as coordinator and continuing to meet more members of our happy quilting community.
Regional Treasurer
Chris Brearley
t: 07785 397301
I learnt to sew at School and made my own clothes as a teenager. I had dabbled at patchwork but became much more interested after starting a part-time job at a patchwork shop in Linlithgow. I met members of the Quilters Guild at a sewing class and soon joined. I have really benefited from the companionship and seeing the work of sewers of all abilities. I started helping with advertising in Cobwebs Magazine and have just taken over as Treasurer.
Cobwebs Editor
Elaine Fisher
My quilting life started when I visited the Region 10 stand at the Newark Quilt Show in 2018. The Region 10 team were so welcoming and helpful. In fact, that was where I was also recruited to be the Newsletter Editor - even before I had made a quilt! Whilst we were chatting, their eyes lit up when I said I was a graphic designer; the rest is history!
I also belong to the East Midlands Contemporary Textiles group, which is a QGBI affiliated. We exhibit every 12-18 months, and they are a wonderful group of inspirational quilters and artists.
So, from that day at the Newark Quilt Show, I am still learning. I don't believe you ever stop.
Event Bookings & Website Editor
Viv Morgan
t: 07595 919877
I first dabbled in patchwork back in the late 70's when we lived in the Pacific Northwest but in those days it was cardboard templates and scissors so it didn't really become an enthusiasm until many years later.
After I retired, I attended an introduction to patchwork course at Craft Studio and joined Nottingham Patchwork Group after a google search on 'patchwork in Nottingham'. I joined the Guild after a year or two largely because I was intrigued by all the talk about Area Days and then joined our local committee just over a year ago. I still don't know much about website administration but am learning fast. I wouldn't describe myself as an expert at patchwork either but I love it and am excited by fabric shops and new notions and inspired, if not at times over-awed, by the work I see from other quilters.
If you would like me to highlight an event, add or change the details about a Local Group or show some pictures of your work, please do contact me. Our website is only as good as the content makes it.
Minutes Secretary
Joy Law
t: 07866 454730
I've always seemed to have needles of some kind in my hands whether for creating patchwork, dress-making, knitting or embroidery and I came late to quilting through a friend who showed me her quilts and haven't looked back since. It's been my happy place in both wonderful and difficult times.
I'm a member of the In Stitches group and have joined a local group, as well as setting up a new group myself. I joined the Quilter's Guild two years ago and volunteered for this position so as to give something back to the quilting world and learn more along the way.
Derbyshire Representative
Ali Reynolds
t: 07717 001381
I'm a full-time mum of three living in a hectic household, so my sewing is my 'me time'.
I've always loved doing anything creative, but I only learned to use a sewing machine ten years ago when I joined a local sewing group. I mainly sewed clothes initially and it wasn't until 2018 that I discovered patchwork and quilting. I knew a friend's mum who was a quilter and she was kind enough to show me the basics. Since then, I've been hooked. I love the variety in quilting, but tend to gravitate towards art and modern quilts. I will give anything a go though.
I joined the guild to help support the future of the craft I love and I'm looking forward to getting to know like-minded people who live in and around the county.'
Area representative - Leicestershire & Rutland
Kate Knaggs
t: 07980 083771
I live on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border and in a previous life taught Maths in various schools across the two counties and into Rutland. I now work full time in the NHS, and being creative continues to be my therapy.
I've been a fabric fondler and collector for many years but didn't start quilting until lockdown when a friend invited me to join in a group of friends on a beginners patchwork & quilting course via Zoom. I love trying new techniques but my happy places are EPP and FPP where the seam allowances (mostly!) take care of themselves.
Lincolnshire Area Representative
Lindy Lodge
t: 01400 282855
I've sewn since I was a little girl, first clothes for my dolls and then my own clothes. It wasn't until I moved to Lincolnshire over 20 years ago that I discovered patchwork and quilting. I have been attending classes at Coles in Nottingham for many years and I also help run the Academy Quilters in Grantham. During lockdown I did quite a few online classes to help improve my quilting as I really enjoy free motion quilting. I live in a village with my husband and our cat, my four children having grown up and left home.
I am hoping to organise some interesting Event Days and workshops and look forward to seeing you there.
Nottinghamshire representative
Lesley Hutchinson
t: 07870 349763
I have been sewing for as long as I can remember, having been taught initially by my mother. I loved sewing and making clothes so much that I went on to have my first career working in the garment industry as a Garment Technologist for 16 years.
I first started quilting about 10 years ago, but I was soon hooked with all the lovely fabrics and ideas available. I have always sewn for pleasure and purpose, and enjoy learning new techniques and skills, so it was a natural step for me into the world of patchwork and quilting.
I joined the Quilters Guild in January 2022 in preparation for retiring in August of that year. I went on my own to my first area day and it was immediately apparent that I was going to enjoy being a part of the Guild as everyone seemed so friendly and welcoming.
I am keen to find some interesting speakers and workshops to inspire us all, and I look forward to meeting more of our Region's quilters at future Region 10 events.
Marketing and Advertising Representative
Toni Townsley
t: 07407 168403
My name's Toni and I'm really excited to step into my new role for Region 10 as Marketing and Advertising rep. I've only been quilting for a short while but I've been sewing since I was little. I joined the Guild as a way to meet like-minded people who live locally to me. My mum is a talented Quilter and has been trying to get me to make a quilt for years! I made my first baby quilt for my best friend and now I'm hooked! I'm 32, and a busy wife and mum to twin girls. With a busy professional life working in Specialist Education full time, sewing is my escape and a way to get a bit of me time. Aside from this, I like to spend time with my family and our labrador, Steven. I can also be found with my head in a good book frequently. I've never met a stranger, and I have a good knowledge of social media and how marketing works. So watch this space, and know you're in safe hands! I'm bursting at the seams with ideas to represent Region 10 and bring us into the spotlight. A lot of these ideas involve you, as I think your beautiful work will draw a lot of people in. Please come and say hello when you see me at the next Event Day! I look forward to getting to know you all.
Young Quilters Representative
Lauren Ades
t: 07759 220527
Hi, I'm Lauren and I'm excited to be taking over the role as YQ Coordinator for the region. I have previously been a Guide and Scout leader so hope to bring the skills I have learned from volunteering there into this new role, although teaching young people how to sew will be a new venture for me.
So far I have attended the national YQ teams call and met other YQ coordinators from across the country. They have already started to share some of their ideas with me and I have met up with some of them at the Festival of Quilts to gather more ideas and best practice from them.
I am currently building a catalogue of projects suitable for the Young Quilters that they will hopefully find challenging but enjoyable to gradually add complexity and build their skillset. I also have plans to meet with other committee members soon to understand our resources available to launch this new phase.
As a relatively new quilter myself, I also have a lot to learn and will no doubt need to draw on the skillset of members of the region to make this project a success and I would welcome any advice or offers of support from anyone who would like to assist.
