Our membership year runs from 1st January when we welcome new members from our waiting list, providing there is a space. Anyone joining our waiting list is encouraged to come to at least 3 of our meetings before they would be invited to become full members. Our January and February meetings are on zoom, link sent on request. March, July and December are for members only.
History.
In June 1992, Stephanie Pettengell wrote a letter to the local paper asking if there were any other ‘quilters’ out there who would like to get together. It was a surprise to her that twenty-three enthusiastic ladies turned up for the first meeting at her home in Baldock. Because of this enthusiasm, a meeting room was quickly hired at the local Community Centre for future monthly meetings. Many things were decided at that first meeting, one being the name of the group. Icknield Quilters was chosen because the Baldock based group is, of course, on the ‘Icknield Way’. Stephanie was chosen to be Chairman of the Group and remained so for ten years.
The Group became popular and increased its membership to 40 within a short time. It has always offered a varied programme of events, the first of which was an introduction to the Quilters Guild by its local representative. Members are treated to visiting speakers, sewing evenings, four corner evenings, where members demonstrate to the rest of the group, and of course a Christmas Party to finish off the year. Workshops are held two or three times a year with excellent tutors and an enthusiastic response from members. Coach trips and trips to quilting shops out of the immediate area have also proved popular over the years. All this is with thanks to a hard working Committee which may have changed many times over the years but has never lost its commitment to the Group.
Icknield Quilters’ first Exhibition in 1997 proved that it was a most productive group with multiple patchwork quilts and wall hangings on show for the public. Every member entered at least one item in the display. Over the two days of the exhibition there were over 500 visitors. Several more exhibitions have since been held by Icknield Quilters, our 5th major Exhibition, in 2013, was a huge success and has been followed by two smaller displays at Caldecote Church supporting the fundraising of the Friends of Friendless Churches. The group have just produced their 9th Exhibition to celebrate 30 years. There is now a membership of 50 and founder members still enjoy the monthly meetings.
In June 1992, Stephanie Pettengell wrote a letter to the local paper asking if there were any other ‘quilters’ out there who would like to get together. It was a surprise to her that twenty-three enthusiastic ladies turned up for the first meeting at her home in Baldock. Because of this enthusiasm, a meeting room was quickly hired at the local Community Centre for future monthly meetings. Many things were decided at that first meeting, one being the name of the group. Icknield Quilters was chosen because the Baldock based group is, of course, on the ‘Icknield Way’. Stephanie was chosen to be Chairman of the Group and remained so for ten years.
The Group became popular and increased its membership to 40 within a short time. It has always offered a varied programme of events, the first of which was an introduction to the Quilters Guild by its local representative. Members are treated to visiting speakers, sewing evenings, four corner evenings, where members demonstrate to the rest of the group, and of course a Christmas Party to finish off the year. Workshops are held two or three times a year with excellent tutors and an enthusiastic response from members. Coach trips and trips to quilting shops out of the immediate area have also proved popular over the years. All this is with thanks to a hard working Committee which may have changed many times over the years but has never lost its commitment to the Group.
Icknield Quilters’ first Exhibition in 1997 proved that it was a most productive group with multiple patchwork quilts and wall hangings on show for the public. Every member entered at least one item in the display. Over the two days of the exhibition there were over 500 visitors. Several more exhibitions have since been held by Icknield Quilters, our 5th major Exhibition, in 2013, was a huge success and has been followed by two smaller displays at Caldecote Church supporting the fundraising of the Friends of Friendless Churches. The group have just produced their 9th Exhibition to celebrate 30 years. There is now a membership of 50 and founder members still enjoy the monthly meetings.
