Shetland Hamefarin 2010
Hamefarin Quilt
The competition entry form for the Shetland Hamefarin 2010 Quilting Challenge is now available to download and print.
The Hamefarin Quilt project was launched recently by Sandy Cluness, Convener of Shetland Islands Council and Ann Hill, a keen quilter, who was born in Shetland and now lives in Dumfries. Ann is looking forward to going home for the Hamefarin, which will take place in Shetland in June 2010 when many people from throughout the world will return home to Shetland to celebrate their own birthplace, the birthplace of their forebearers or the place they used to live in.
Ann came up with the idea of Hamefarers bringing something home to Shetland with them as a gift to the people of Shetland. The quilt has been started with blocks being provided by Ann and three other Shetland exiles: Aly Bain, Alan Beattie and Lesley Bloomer. They have each provided a quilt block depicting what Shetland means to them:
(left to right - Sheila Peterson, Shetland Needleworkers Group, Sandy Cluness, Convenor Shetland Islands Council and Chairman of the Hamefarin Committee and Ann Hill - quilter)
1st row - left to right
The Hamefarin logo provides a wonderful welcome feel to the quilt with the lighthouse attracting us home against the warm background of the Simmer Dim.
Aly Bain is one of Shetland's most famous musicians and now lives in Edinburgh. He travels the world sharing his love of Shetland traditional music.
Ann's fondest memories are of her time as a member of Bella's lasses and her love of music and dancing throughout her life. She was a singer with Jim Halcrow's Dance Band for 10 years in the 70's.
2nd row - left to right
Alan Beattie is now a doctor in Kent but keeps his links with Shetland alive by being an active member of the Shetland Family History group travelling north several times a year and attending history group meetings throughout the UK.
Lesley Bloomer (now Stuart-Gammie) was born in Lerwick, the daughter of Dr John and Wendy Bloomer. John was a senior registrar at the Gilbert Bain Hospital. The Three Nornes pendant was given to Lesley by her Shetland godmother and added to throughout the years with other pieces of Shetland silver craft. Lesley is looking forward to visiting for the first time since she left 28 years ago. Lesley is married and is now a teacher in Edinburgh.
Quilt Block appeal from quilters with Shetland connections
What we need now is for others to provide quilt blocks to allow Ann to finish the quilt in time for the Hamefarin. So if you know anyone who is coming home in June 2010 to take part in the celebrations please ask them to consider getting a square made for the Hamefarers quilt. They will be required to provide a block which is no larger than 10" square and should be made from 100% cotton fabric. Ann Hill can be contacted on 01387 830638 or you can write to her at Mouswald House, Mouswald, Dumfries, DG1 4LT. Her email address is dmhill@btinternet.com. Ann's mother is Violet Laurenson of 39 Cairnfield Road, Lerwick and letters can also be passed on through her.
At the launch Ann said "I am so excited about bringing the quilt together. It will give us exiles the opportunity of giving something back to Shetland. Although I have been away from the islands for nearly 30 years I still consider myself very much a Shetlander and enjoy coming home as often as I can. I hope other exiles around the world will get behind this project and share their stories about what Shetland means to them".
Sandy said "This is the very kind of imaginative project that will help strengthen the links between Hamefarers and Shetland as we prepare for the celebrations in 2010. I am grateful to Ann for devising the project and I would encourage others with similar ideas to celebrate the Hamefarin to get in touch with us."
Quilting Classes to take place at Shetland Hamefarin 2010
Ann will be giving two quilting classes during the hamefarin (home coming) in June 2010 as well as hosting an international show and tell session. More details will follow.