We’re delighted to welcome back The Irish Patchwork Society (IPS) for a new exhibition on ARTWALL in celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Leitrim Design House. ‘Place’ is made up over 65 individual works. This exhibition will be launched by IPS executive chairperson Mary Bell at 12.30pm on Saturday 8th of March. Everyone is welcome to the reception launch to meet some members and view these intricate works. The Irish Patchwork Society will also host a textile workshop during their exhibition, which can be booked here
The previous IPS exhibition on ARTWALL was incredibly popular with many visitors travelling from all over the country. Their work is created by a diverse group of members sharing a common interest in fabric, traditional, contemporary, modern patchwork and quilting. The works exhibited will reflect a wide range of interpretations of colours, techniques, fibers and fabric.
The Irish Patchwork Society were invited to reflect on the theme of ‘Place’ in all its possible meanings within a 6”x 8” format. Each piece includes some element of silver, in recognition of the 25th Anniversary. For the past 3 years IPS members have taken part in several postcard swaps within the society, allowing many more and varied pieces to be exhibited. Each piece, a marvel in miniature, tells a story, personal to each individual maker.
65 members have risen to this challenge creating over 65 works on show. IPS members from all seven branches of the Society have taken part, from Donegal to Cork and everywhere in between. The cards feature a wide range of techniques and materials. Adhering to the size requirement is a challenge but allows for tiny details to be included. Members have used traditional patchwork piecing, appliqué, foundation piecing, fabric collage. Once created, further details were put on these fabric pieces using paint and dye, printed and free painted on fabric, free motion quilting, thread painting, hand quilting and embroidery and embellishment with beads, yarns, ribbons. The requirement for some element of silver to be included can be seen in fabric, thread, beads, sequins.
Founded in 1981, the Irish Patchwork Society (IPS) today, consists of seven branches around the country with over 560 members. Branches hold monthly meetings from September to June and have a comprehensive programme of speakers, workshops and well as libraries for the use of members, visits from patchwork supplies shops to most branches, local and national challenges and exhibitions. Every two years a members’ sewing retreat is organised by the Society where weekend workshops are offered. The Society publishes a quarterly members’ newsletter which keeps the members informed of what is happening nationally and internationally and our website has a fantastic members’ area with videos, patterns, workbooks. Catalogues of previous exhibitions are available on the website to inspire and encourage members.
The IPS is a Guilds, Associations, Networks and Societies (GANS) member of the Design and Craft Council Ireland and a member of the European Quilt Association (EQA). Every two years the society holds a National Exhibition. Every year all members are invited to enter the EQA challenge exhibition displayed at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham before traveling to many of the 19 countries involved. Members are invited to submit entries to many exhibitions both nationally and internationally.
We hope you’ll join us for the reception launch of Place on Saturday the 8th of March at 12.30pm, meet some of the members, enjoy the work and learn a little about how they are made. Share this unique exhibition with friends & family of all generations until 29th of April.
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Visit us at The Leitrim Design House, in the Dock Art Centre, a beautiful 19th century building in the heart of Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim. We’re open Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm and Saturdays 10.00am - 5pm. Browse 7 days a week on our not-for-profit online shop www.leitrimdesignhouse.ie or phone us for gift guidance on 071 9650550.
