January Meeting - by Sarah

There was a buzz of anticipation as we convened for the first meeting of 2024, as we were eagerly awaiting announcements from the Committee about the exciting challenges and events, they’d planned for us for this year.

But before the big reveal, Deirdre shared more information about events taking place elsewhere, notably the first big quilting event of the year, the Ardingly Quilt Show, and a smaller event by Tandridge Craft Group. All were welcome to attend both.

Then the moment arrived and the Committee distributed large white envelopes to each member with all the details of the year’s challenges and events. And we weren’t disappointed! There was much animated discussion, as we shared thoughts about how we’d each make a block using foundation paper piecing, to be joined together into one large quilt, for raffling at our Exhibition in September. If it’s anything like the example the committee showed us, then the winner will be very lucky indeed! Our creative brain cells were sparked by the Charm Pack challenge where we’d make a small quilt in a beautiful star pattern, and we were intrigued by the Initial Challenge where we’ll make a quilt using colours that start with our initials (such as Salmon Pink for ‘S’!), using the oh so effective ‘disappearing block’ design.

After tea, Eileen took us through what was planned for the other meetings of the year, with some wonderful speakers to look forward to, and let us know about the workshops we could attend to create more beautiful things, with the highlight of the year being, of course, our Exhibition at the end of September. Kate shared her expertise by reminding us how to make half square triangles, which we’d be using in our challenges

The evening concluded with two fabulous ‘show and tells. Helen showed us how she’d cleverly finished a quilt that had been one of those kindly donated to us by the family of an elderly lady and keen crafter who had sadly passed away, with plans to donate it to a care home so that others could enjoy the lovely work and effort. Freddie also showed us her beautiful quilt, in shades of teal, which had taken her longer than she’d anticipated when she’d decided to expand the pattern to make a King size rather than a single quilt! 

All in all, a very busy meeting with much to look forward to for the rest of the year, and a big thank you to the Committee for all their hard work in putting together such an exciting programme.