THE third annual Dumfries and Galloway Quilt Festival kicks off today at Shambellie House, New Abbey, with hundreds of quilts made by quilters throughout Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.
Local quilt groups have been very busy with both young and old members highlighting the skills that are abundant in our region.
Service-users from Cloverglen Services, pupils from New Abbey Primary School and Kirkbean Primary School also have their work on show. Shambellie Quilters group regularly spend time working with the young people helping them with their sewing skills and to make new friendships.
Ann Hill, BEM, vice-charwoman, at Shambellie House Trust, said: “Shambellie Quilters are excited about organising the exhibition representing the amazing talent of quilters in our region. This year we have also issued invitations to several groups outside our region to encourage them to come and spend time here.
“We have quilts from the Glasgow Gathering, Kilbirnie Sew n’ Sews, Carlisle Quilters and a special collection from Chrystine Livingston from Lochgilphead. Chrystine’s quilts are what are termed contemporary with painting, printing, alongside traditional and are also vibrant and very unusual.
“There will be lots for visitors to see and do from hundreds of quilts to demonstrations on how to hand quilt, make a star, beadwork, etc.”
Mrs Hill added that a list of quilting classes during the autumn at Shambellie and of local craft groups will be available at the event.
Notable exhibits include a ‘faces of the pupils’ quilt designed and made by Kirkbean Primary School pupils as a gift for their teacher Mrs Pauline Lyle, who was retiring, and a ‘Coronation Quilt’ from New Abbey Primary children.
Classes by Chrystine Livingston, who works on contemporary quilts, painting fabrics with rollers, block printing backgrounds and in black and white take place in November and her work will be on display at Shambellie.
Teas, raffle tickets, tombola, home bakes will be available along with quilting fabrics, quilts, bags and cushions. There will also be teas and cakes.
