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Quilters Guild of the British Isle
Region 13, Sapphire Street
To celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Quilters Guild, the Sapphire Street project is replicating the first quilt acquired for The Collection which was a wonderful quilt of houses. It was created by members and depicted the areas and the houses where they lived. The new version, Sapphire Street, will show how we have grown and the changes in where we live since 1979.
Each Region and Special Interest Group have been invited to make up to 15 6" (plus seam allowance) blocks. These are Region 13 contributions.
Manx Cottage by Vera Walker
Manx Cottage
A typical Manx ‘cott’ long: low and thatched, usually found nestled below a sheltering hill or plantation.
Ruthin Craft Centre, Northwest Contemporary Quilt
Ruthin Craft Centre
Based on a design by Judy Fairless and inspired by the Ruthin Craft Centre building, following a visit by several members of NWCQ in March 2025. The Craft Centre was founded in the 1980’s and reopened in the current building in 2008. Quilting and textile arts are regularly showcased in the exhibition spaces.
North West Contemporary Quilt is a well established group which meets in Frodsham. Members are mainly from Region 13, but also include people from Shropshire and Cumbria.
Astley Hall by Judith Chaloner and Rachel Thompson
Astley Hall
Astley Hall is a 16th Century House in Chorley with a lovely park, built for the Charnock family. Now owned by the town and a delightful resource for the local people. It has been the venue for Quiltfest North for the last two years.
A Narrowboat on the Canal by Megan Barley
A Narrowboat on the Canal
There are many canals running through Region 13. As well as visitors passing through, there are a lot of people who live permanently on their narrowboats.
Block of Flats in Salford Quays by Anna Owen
Salford Quays
The regeneration of Salford docks began in the 1980s, turning a derelict abandoned area into a thriving asset for the local community and beyond. The infrastructure was improved, The Lowry theatre built, the dock water cleaned. The docks are now used for open water swimming and leisure activities, and the Media City complex hosts BBC and ITV Studios. The desirable waterside apartments which inspired this block were designed to echo the sails of the big ships of the past on the Manchester Ship Canal.
A Welsh Castle - Dolbadarn by Gwenfai Rees Griffiths
Dolbadarn
Occupying a lofty, lonely spot overlooking the waters of Llyn Padarn, native-built Castell Dolbadarn was once a vital link in the defences of the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd. Most likely constructed by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) in the late 12th or early 13th century, it stood watch over the strategic route inland from Caernarfon to the upper Conwy Valley.
Homelessness by Sue Horder and Deryn Richardson
Homelessness
Not everybody is lucky enough to live in a safe, comfortable home. This quilt reminds us of those who live under canvas, under railway arches or even just on a pavement.
Coronation Street by Ruth Garner and Christine Davidson
Coronation Street
Typical terraced houses: redbrick and/or with cladding. These houses are found on Coronation Street and, from left to right, they belong to:
No 7: The Alahan Family (owners of the corner shop).
No 9: Originally Vera and Jack Duckworth, and then passed on to Tyrone Dodds and his family.
No 11: The Grimshaw Family.
Rovers Return by Barbara Thompson
Rovers Return
The Rovers is particularly popular with the residents of Coronation Street, and virtually all who live and work in the street frequent the pub! It is located at the corner of Coronation Street and Rosamund Street and was first opened in 1902, one of a chain of Weatherfield pubs owned by the Newton & Ridley brewery. Since 1995 it has been a free house, although Newton & Ridley still supply the pub’s ale!
Landlords have included Annie Walker, Jack & Vera Duckworth, Bet & Alec Gilroy and Steve & Liz McDonald.
More From Region 13
Not Quite Finished for FOQ!
So there you are – I’ve admitted it! I entered a piece – in a year with record numbers, fortunately – but It Won’t Be Finished. Oh no, I hear you say, it’s only July xx, you’ve still got time, especially as you’ll be taking it down on July 27th…
About Quiltfest North 2026
About the very successful Quiltfest North 2026.
Inspirational
That was a visitor comment heard during Quilt Fest North at Astley Hall in Chorley. We saw fantastic attendance at Quilt Fest North, which this year focussed on modern, contemporary and art quilts. We had plenty of talent on show with award winning work, and it was a celebration of patchwork and quilting in the broadest sense of the art and craft. To educate and inspire are key aims for The Quilters’ Guild, and Region 13 certainly did this.
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