21st Birthday Exhibition by Paisley Patchers, held in Wallneuk Church and halls, Paisley, Scotland, 10th November 2007.
Paisley Patchers started with very small beginnings in 1985, when the local museum held a quilt exhibition of international quilts. I can remember visiting the exhibition age 18, and seeing a beautiful unfinished paper pieced hexagon top, made with velvet corduroy fabrics in jewel tones. I had already completed a “quilt” using this method, and was thrilled to know that I had more stitches to the inch on my piecing than the museum one. A book in the museum invited people to record an interest in starting a local group, initially meeting in the town hall. My first visit to the group was an eye opener! I had no idea that quilting could be anything but paper pieced hexagons. The group were just starting on courthouse steps blocks, with mixed fabrics including a tiny scrap of silk in the centre. It sounds so straightforward now, but it was like seeing a car for the first time after only knowing about bicycles. Sad to say, my second quilt of paper pieced hexagons was taken apart at that stage, as I thought I could at least make a picture out of it, instead of just granny’s flowers. I still have many of the pieces, although I did dip into the bag to start more ladies off onto quilts, many years later. That makes it 22 years old as a UFO – I wonder what the oldest UFO is?
Paisley Patchers had their first meeting in 1986, and their first exhibition in 1988. Nearby Glasgow was the European City of Culture in 1990, an event that had many of the craft groups and churches in the area contributing to 12 seasonal banners, worked in wonderful textiles and stitches. 1991 saw a challenge exhibition by the Quilters Guild of the British Isles held in the local museum, generating more interest and adding more members to the group.
In 1995, Paisley Patchers held a well advertised “documentation day”, inviting the local community to root around in the attic, and bring along textiles they found for advice on conservation, identification, in some cases being referred to specialists for advice for museum quality pieces. Paisley was a base for the Anchor Mills Company, producing wonderful threads for many years. The Mill itself is now converted to homes and offices. There were many local textile companies in the area, and my home area was famed for Turkey Red cloth.
The town hall was the home of the Patchers until just 4 years ago, when they moved to Wallneuk Church (wall new ek). I had left many years previously, working and living on the other side of the Clyde River, not really all that far away, just too busy to keep up. I had taken up quilting again around 2000, and when my Mum finally retired, persuaded her to “do something” to keep her active and interested. I was moved back over the river with my job in 2004, so it seemed natural to go along on a Monday night, having tea at Mum’s first and then eventually, managed to get her to come along too.
The group meets once a month in the Church, however most members belong to weekly house groups as well. There is also a flourishing Young Quilters group, meeting every fortnight in the Town Hall.
The exhibition itself was very well supported. Members were invited to display their first quilt, as well as other work. I noted some paper-pieced hexagon ones, but mine has long vanished. I did note that many of the “first” quilts were shown without crediting (or perhaps embarrassing) the maker! There were large, small, well-loved and pristine quilts on show, covering almost every piecing technique you can think of. There were so many, the group ran out of stands, and had quilts draped on almost every side pew as well as the central area. A large selection of quilts for Linus was on show, which is well supported by Paisley Patchers, along with Accord Hospice and Blankets of Love. Examples of finished pieces from workshops attended by members included Bluebell Wood, by Anna Taylor, made while attending a stitching retreat in Stirling, with Claire Tinsley as tutor. Several pieces from a workshop given by Esterita Austin were on show, a two-day event, and part of the celebrations for this birthday year. Members had also been encouraged to make an appliqué; panel, with their own symbol of Paisley, and these had been made into 5 wall hangings. Many showed industry long gone from the town. Brown and Polson factory, which exploded in early June 5th 1964 killing 4 and injuring 4; Robertson Jam factory shown by a Golly; The weaving and thread mills of JP Coats depicted by Paisley patterns and shawls (these will be featuring at Loch Lomond Quilt Show soon); and small shipbuilding on the White and Black Cart Rivers.
(There is a section in Wikipedia on Paisley, places, people and history, including links to the USA.)
Along with the wonderful visual feast came the fantastic hospitality, well renowned in the area, served by the local guiders. Anna’s pancakes, topped with homemade raspberry jam, have to be tasted, as descriptions just do not do them justice! Loaves, cakes, biscuits, scones, and of course some birthday cake, as this was a birthday celebration too.
In the sales room, we didn’t have a trader, but we did have a pincushion table, with every ticket a winner, raising money for the Accord Hospice. A whole table of Christmas decorations was on sale, and the show of glitz and glitter gets everyone into the festive spirit. Sales of work, sales of cakes, and more quilts rounded off a wonderful visit to the show, all done by a small band of dedicated quilters. Paisley show isn’t a big one, but it is certainly a very friendly one! I thoroughly enjoyed my day, and I’m looking forward to next year. Who knows, I might even get my UFO out and make it a WHIP instead!
Thanks to all at Paisley Patchers for a wonderful day.