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'Square Play' to Gaye
22.08.11
INISHOWEN patchwork
quilt maker Gaye Grant says Ireland should be
tapping into the international surge of interest in
the traditional craft.
“This is particularly true for the North West, with
its textiles history,” says Gaye, who runs her own
quilting business in Buncrana. |
She has just returned
from the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, the
biggest quilt show in Europe, which was attended by
over 30,000 enthusiasts. “While the riots may have
affected some people’s travel plans, there were
visitors there from every part of the world.
“There is an enormous appetite for traditional Irish
quilting, and we were overwhelmed by the demand for
our Irish patterns and for our fabrics.”
Gaye set up The Fennel Shed in Buncrana ten years
ago and supplies patterns, fabrics, quilting sets,
and other products to local and visiting quilters.
She launched her first book of patterns 'Square
Play' at the Birmingham festival which got a very
positive response from those attending. |
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Gaye Grant working on one of her
colourful patchwork quilts. |
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“We have a great
opportunity next year to raise the profile of Irish
quilting when the first International Quilt Festival
of Ireland takes place in Galway in June 2012, and
it would be great to see the industry reaching its
full potential at a time when our economy needs
growth industries," added the Buncrana women. |
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