It’s not just the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into these quilts that makes them special, but the sentimental value,” says Evelyn Shannon, founder of the Tinahely Show quilting exhibition.

Upon returning from Hong Kong in the ’90s after spending 25 years abroad, Evelyn was frustrated with the lack of quilting know-how in Ireland.

“Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, Ireland was renowned for its textile industry,” says Evelyn. “We were very skilled at crochet, knitting and quilting, but somehow, over the years, those skills faded away.”

Getting started

After learning how to do piecework and quilting from great quilters around the world, including Dr Lorna Johnston, Evelyn decided the issue had to be tackled. She started importing cotton material and thread for her own use and distributing it to other like-minded individuals. She went on to suggest setting up a quilting marquee at her local show, “and it is still the only show in the country with a quilting exhibition,” she says.

The exhibition has come on in leaps and bounds since it first opened. “In the beginning we used to receive just a front and back of pieced material with no wadding or quilting done on it,” says Evelyn. “Now an award from Tinahely is recognised at an international level.”

Competitors can choose whether they want to receive judges’ comments on their work. “Most of them ask for comments and this has brought up the standard immensely,” explains Evelyn.

“A typical handmade bed quilt would be sold for around €500-€700, but one of our regular competitors is a lady from Dublin who sells her quilts for $5,000 in the States.”

Preparations for the quilting exhibit at the Tinahely Show begin almost a year in advance by deciding what classes to have.

“Sometimes we have a large number of entries in one category, so we split that into two categories for the following year,” says Evelyn. “This has to be done at least six months in advance. Afterwards, we write up schedules to distribute to patchwork clubs around the country.”

Spreading the word

Evelyn travels to different patchwork regions, from Cork to the midlands, with the show schedule.

“I go to meetings to tell people about the show and hopefully get more entries,” says Evelyn. “There is an Irish Patchwork Society, but you don’t have to be a member of that to join a patchwork club, so it is important to visit clubs to promote the show.

“I also answer any questions people may have. To enter the Tinahely Show, you must have a sleeve on the back of the quilt for hanging and often people don’t know what that is. Some have already made quilts and are unsure what category they should enter them in.”

Another task is to secure sponsorship for the marquee each year, with three partners on board this year: Limerick Quilts Centre, Farmhouse Quilts and Valerie Mulally (a professional quilter). Entry forms had to be submitted by 15 July this year, but the quilts don’t actually arrive until a few days before the show. Quilts are sent by courier, mail and even delivered in person to the Tinahely Show office.

Judges

The two judges are just part of a large team that work tirelessly every year to bring the show to life. The first judge is Emer Fahy, a City and Guilds teacher who is a member of an international quilt study group working out of Nebraska State University. The second, Rachel Walstenholme, writes books on quilting and flies in from Spain for the Tinahely Show every year.

Judging itself takes around a day and a half and afterwards the quilts are arranged into size piles to make hanging easier. As soon as the marquee goes up in the Tinahely grounds, the grass is mown and the frame is put up. On Sunday afternoon it is all hands on deck.

“Hanging the quilts is a huge operation,” says Evelyn. “But once they are up, we just pray that it will stay fine for the bank holiday.”

For Evelyn and her team, all the hard work is worth it when they see show-goers enjoying the work on display.

“Inspiration comes from all angles, including nature and family heirlooms,” she says. “We just hope there is something there for everyone.” CL

The Tinahely Show takes place on Monday, 4 August. Visit www.tinahelyshow.ie for more information.