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In the Beginning...

The Islay Quilters was formed after a very well attended patchwork and quilting demonstration organised by Islay Arts Association.  The two speakers were Kay Cruden and Audrey MacDougal from Calico Threads in Dunoon.  Their enthusiasm about their subject was so great it inspired a group of ladies to get together to form their own quilting group.  The very first meeting, organised by Sally Taylor, was held on 16^th January 1992, in the Harbour Inn, Bowmore.

Approximately 24 people came to the first meeting.  It was agreed that there were to be three main aims of the group:

• To generate an interest in quilting and associated needlework by pooling ideas, experience and resources.
• To make quilts as a group to raise money for various charities, as well as making our own individual items.
• To enjoy ourselves.

Now...

Although the numbers of the group have varied, due to members leaving the island and new members joining, the group has now over 30 members.  The aims are still met; the third one especially!

The group makes a quilt to raffle every year and donates the money to local charities in Islay and Jura.

We have also been involved in making quilts for and with local Primary schools and have made the magnificent wall hanging that hangs in the Columba Centre.  We hope you will be able to go and see it!

We have a workshop in Islay House Square where we also have a shop which sells haberdashery, materials, craft equipment and, of course, quilts and hand made items made by quilters.  All this is run by volunteer members and the profits are channelled back into the “Islay Quilters”.

Activities now include card making, knitting club and beginners' patchwork.  Our charity quilt keeps us busy - look out for the latest!

Our latest project, just completed, is a hanging for Ardbeg Distillery.

Among our recent projects is a hanging for the “Finlaggan Visitor Centre” which is well worth a visit.

Grand Exhibition 2012

Details of the competitions for the Grand Exhibition are in the Autumn 2011 newsletter.  You can download the entry forms here for the Members' Competition and the Open Competition.

Sally Taylor (29^th June 1932 - 24^th June 2011)
An Appreciation

The unexpected and tragic death of Sally Taylor on 24^th June greatly saddened all members of Islay Quilters.  The loss of such an inspirational member leaves a huge gap in our midst.

It was Sally who organised the meeting at which Islay Quilters was formed, on 16^th January 1992.  The group has adhered to the aims agreed upon at that meeting: members have pooled ideas and experience, and have generated interest in patchwork and quilting, while raising considerable amounts of money for local charities and having much enjoyment in working together.

Sally's inventive designs, superb use of colour and meticulous workmanship enhanced the quilts and wall-hangings made by the group, while ensuring that her own work was always a pleasure to look at.  She was particularly interested in the creation of our wall-hangings, often working alone or with one companion in the mornings at our premises.

She always showed encouragement and gave good advice to those who wished to learn.  Her quiet manner concealed a determination that the group should do everything correctly and should aim to achieve perfection and beauty in our work.  We will very much miss her and her great contribution to the success of Islay Quilters.

The Shop

The shop in Islay House Square is open Monday to Saturday from 2 to 4.30pm.  The shop is open until Christmas Eve and then closed till the end of January.

Workshops

We organise various workshops throughout the year, to which everyone is welcome.  Watch this space for details of forthcoming events, and come and join us and have fun trying something new!

Newsletters

We now have a newsletter, which will hopefully be produced four times a year.  You can download a copy here.

• Summer 2011
• Autumn 2011
• Spring 2012