Oast Quilters is a group of 300 quilters from East Kent.  We meet six times a year at the Simon Langton Boys’ School, Canterbury.

At the first meeting of the year we enjoy a “Corners” meeting, where eight tutors give mini-workshops four times during the meeting.  Members can select four of these to attend, moving on once a bell has rung after 20 minutes.  Lots can be learned in a very short period of time!

The format of the following four meetings is a talk from a well-known textile artist.  Many of our speakers are internationally famous.  Talks are followed by refreshments, a raffle and then a “Show and Tell”.  The September meeting is our “Open Day”, when we have a talk in the morning and another in the afternoon.  The last meeting of the year is our AGM at which the challenge for the year is voted on.

At every meeting there are several invited traders. Oast Quilters also host workshops, usually on the Sunday following an Oast meeting, but also on a date in the month in between the meetings.  The tutors for these are experienced members of Oast Quilters.  Most of us also belong to small local groups which meet more regularly.  News and views are shared through our Newsletter, Oast Post, which is published at each meeting.

We hold an exhibition of our work once every three years, “Oast Showcase”.  This is a very popular exhibition and draws enthusiasts from miles away – including from France and the Low Countries (aided by our close proximity to the coast!).  Funds raised at the Showcase are split amongst a variety of charities chosen by the members.

Members range from people who have been stitchers all their lives to those who have only “caught the bug” in the last few months.  If we have a vacancy we are always delighted to welcome and support newcomers to our craft. The age range is from about 6 years of age to infinity!  We have a lively and well-supported group of “Young Oast Quilters”.

Patchwork and quilting is alive and well in Kent!

Objects of Oast Quilters

• To arrange meetings and workshops to assist persons with an interest in patchwork and quilting in East Kent.
• To exchange ideas and be educated in the different methods of the craft.
• To raise money to support charitable organisations as decided by the Association from time to time.
• To raise money by such activities as the Committee of the Association shall decide and otherwise to receive money donated or otherwise acquired always for the use and benefit of the Association to support the above objects.

Quilters Care

Following our hugely successful Oast Showcase held in 2010, funds have permitted Oast Quilters to send cheques to the value of £1,000 to each of five charities. The charities were nominated by members of Oast Quilters. Each charity is held dear in the heart of the nominee and the Oast Quilters’ Committee was delighted to be able to provide these donations. The following letters of thanks have been provided:

Portage

Many thanks to you and all the Oast quilters for your generous donation. The money will be spent on buying new toys and equipment for all the children visited in Kent Portage East service. This is much appreciated by all the Portage team.

Best Wishes,

Sue Lappage
Kent Portage East

East Kent Unit for Breast Screening (EKUBS)

On behalf of everyone at EKUBS may I thank each and every one of you for your truly wonderful donation. We hope that you will understand how important it is for our community that all women can reap the rewards of digital mammography. We hope that some of your ladies may like to use our service, thus helping themselves to prevent breast cancer. Best wishes to you all Penny Dyball for Rose Cunningham (Chairman).

EllenorLions Hospices

Once again on behalf of the EllenorLions Hospices I am writing to thank you so very much for the £1,000 donated by the Oast Quilters. As always we thank you for your support and such a thoughtful act is of great benefit to our care and we would like to extend our warmest gratitude to all who supported you in your efforts. Behind each referral is an individual story and we aim to tailor our care to best meet the needs of each patient. EllenorLions Hospices can only continue to provide this care due to donations such as yours. Once again our sincere thanks to you all for helping us to achieve so much and please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if you require any further assistance. Yours sincerely, Pet Tarrant, Community Fundraising Team.