Edinburgh Modern Quilt Guild: Challenge from the Chair: A Story Quilt

2019 Challenge from the Chair

Each year The Edinburgh Modern Quilt Guild set a "Challenge from the Chair". This is a project on a theme which results in a "mini quilt". What is a mini quilt I hear you cry? It's a small quilt!

As a guild we have been running challenges since 2017, our new chair, Mags, continued the tradition that Cathlene had started.

The 2019 challenge was inspired by the traditions of the past and the merging of our craft with that of communication and protest across history into the modern day. Sewing for ceremony and protest has a long history whether it is the beautiful banners representing political unions or religious messages sewn to adorn churches. As a community of modern quilters we still feel connected to our past regardless of the aesthetic.

2018 saw the centenary of women's suffrage in the UK the Quilters Guild of the British Isles featured the colours and themes at their showpiece Festival of Quilts in 2018.

In 2019, a small contingent of our guild visited Nashville for Quiltcon and one of the lectures we attended was the fantastic and inspiring Sara Trail. Sara is a member of the Social Justice Sewing Academy who are set up to give young people a voice, a skill, a way of engaging. Her lecture gave us a kick in the proverbial pants about how important this traditional skill is. The display of quilts and blocks made by many was a highlight of Quiltcon.

So the challenge was set....

I want to see the story of what challenges you in your daily life what's the thing that gets to you?

A tremendous amount of heart and soul were included in the mini quilts which were submitted to our September meeting.

Presented here are some of the entries and the stories that accompanied them.

CHERISH by Sheena

The countryside is being eaten away.
Replaced with tarmac, houses, industry.
Native plants are disappearing under a torrent of plastic and fly tipping.
Our summer sky is full of pollution.

Cherish what we have now.

Life Destroys Life by Cathlene

Highly commended by the judges for the use of quilting to ghost the words.

Bawbags

Joint winner from the guild and the judging panel.

Mother Nature Needs Our Help by Jo Avery

Hiding by Audrey

I Hate Waste by Juliet

Hospital Waiting List by Katie

Spilt Milk by Lucy

"Breastfeeding is a mother's gift to herself, her baby and the earth" - Pamela K Wiggins

To me breastfeeding is the biggest thing I've ever done. It's the biggest challenge with the greatest reward. I have been supporting women for the last 20 years with their breastfeeding journeys.

Is this Fergus's Future by Mags

Mag's own quilt was voted the public choice winner from the 2019 Stitchgathering.

Breaking the Stigma by Barbara G

Barbara's quilt inspired by her son's Pure O condition. She won the Chair's prize and jointly the guilds favourite. https://www.confessionsofabasketcase.com/