MARGARET FLETCHER CHALLENGE

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Margaret Fletcher was a long standing member of Abbey Quilters. Her family donated a trophy in her memory and the first time the trophy was awarded was in 2008 and presented to Anne Stephen.

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The members make an item which will be sold for charity, e.g. in 2015, a square of navy sashiko fabric and a sashiko pattern was handed to the members, which was then stitched and these squares were made up into two beautiful quilts, which were raffled at the 2018 Abbey Quilters Exhibition.

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In 2016, we stitched and embellished a Sunbonnet Sue, which will be made up into the 2020 raffle quilt. The best “Sunbonnet Sue” square was won by Moira MacMillan (photo below).  In 2017, we were given a Lewis and Irene fat quarter, which members made into containers and some were sold at the 2018 Exhibition with the best container won by Kathyrn Curry.

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In 2019, Heather Skerven was our Margaret Fletcher Challenge winner for the best applique toy figure (photo below).  Unfortunately, our 2020 and 2021 challenges were postponed due to the pandemic.

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In 2022, our Margaret Fletcher Challenge returned to Abbey Quilters with joint winners Gill Cooper and Rineke Sangster (photos below).   

 

In 2023, there were 9 entries on the theme of Hearts and Flowers.  They were judged by the past Chair of the Abbey Quilters, Sandra Kinnoch.  Sandra had a difficult task as the entries were of high quality but she opted for a lovely modern variation on the Grandmothers Garden Block by Lorraine Young (photos below). 

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In our 2024 Challenge, Isabel Johnston was selected as the winner with her denim embroidered cat door stop (photos below).  Judging was by Louise Whittle of Wonky Giraffe.

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The Margaret Fletcher Challenge cup was won by Helen Bader in 2025 and 2026.  2025 was judged by Cathy Crozier and the remit was to produce a Celtic design on a 12in block.  All the blocks submitted by members were later made into a whole quilt.

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In 2026, the challenge was to make a novelty pin cushion.  There were lots of entries and all items from the challenge went on to be part of the tombola at the 2026 quilt show.  This challenge was judged by Elaine Pettigrew in 2026.

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