Children's Society Patchwork Competition

The deadline for The Children's Society's Patchwork Competition - The Big Stitch is imminent!

The Children's Society has been in the news a lot this past week following the results of the enquiry into a "Good Childhood". We're delighted to be helping raise awareness of some of the issues that children and young people face by sponsoring a prize in the competition - a box of Cotty Threads worth £255 which we hope will raise funds for the Society. We featured the Big Stitch competition in our last newsletter and on our Blog last year.

So, with more bad weather on the way there might just be enough time to complete it by 14th February...OK, that is quite close but with fabric stashes being what they are it may be possible!

Some quilters have already made their quilt and it is posted on the fund-raising site Rogavi. You can bid for the quilt on the site - so far it has raised £102.50 and there is plenty of time left for more people to visit so please pass this information on to anyone who may be interested! The quilt is delightful and really encapsulates the theme.

From the makers of the quilt - "This Quilt has been made in response to an article from Popular Patchwork promoting the Children’s Society 2009 Patchwork Quilt Competition. Four ladies from the forum decided to get together, via emails and post, to make a Quilt for this worthy cause."

When you've made your quilt take 2 or more photos of it. At least one should be a close up and at least one should be of the whole quilt. These will go on The Children's Society website for people to vote for their favourite quilt. Send the photos (with a note about the recycled element included) to them by 14 February 2009 by email or by post to:

The Big Stitch

The Children's Society

Edward Rudolf House

Margery Street

London

WC1X 0JL

Voting will begin on 15 February 2009 and will close 14 March 2009.Once you have sent us the photos, you can raffle the quilt or use it to raise money in another way. Remember to send in the money you have raised by 14 March 2009.

We'll be posting the quilts on our site so be sure to look back in the next few weeks so you can vote for your favourite quilt.

Quilting Retreat - A Real Treat!

Joan Crooks who lives part of the time in France has started running Patchwork Retreats with teachers including Penny Roberts, Anja Townrow and Anne Baxter. Why not treat yourself to a relaxing week in S W France enjoying your favourite pastime? Stay in a 19th century farmhouse set amidst 16 acres of beautiful unspoilt countryside with interesting historic towns nearby, en-suite bedrooms, heated swimming pool, excellent food & wine. The farmhouse has been restored to retain many original features while providing a high degree of comfort. Weeks are available in May, June & September.

The programme for the retreat is flexible and geared to individual needs. There are four full days of workshops and a free day to explore this historic and beautiful part of SW France but if you wish you are free to plan your own time. Within the large work room each guest will have their own dedicated work station and sewing machines are available if required. Other equipment and materials will also be available.

The idea of a patchwork retreat originated when Joan and Bridget met at the local French patchwork club in Laguepie, S.W. France. Joan had often nursed the idea of running retreats in this lovely part of France but this could only be realised after she had met Bridget. Joan, an experienced patchworker, attended the club when she visited her house in a nearby village. Bridget, a total novice to the art was glad to meet Joan who could help when it came to a difficult technical operation. They struck up an immediate friendship.

Bridget and her husband Peter had moved to France in 2000 and renovated a sheep farm in the beautiful countryside above the Viaur valley. They had converted the sheep barn into a home with a gite and have run a successful business for nine years. When Joan visited the property she immediately saw that maybe this was an opportunity to realise her dream. The rest is history as they say because Bridget was delighted to hear about her ideas and saw the Retreats as a natural extension to the work that she and Peter enjoyed. Also, by now Bridget is completely addicted to patchwork and is always keen to extend her knowledge and techniques.

We thought this sounded like a lovely way to spend some time - a great combination of enjoying your hobby, staying in a beautiful part of France and inevitably enjoying the good food and wine that there is on offer. For more details please visit the site.