The Quilters & Patchworkers of New England (QPNE) will be staging their annual exhibition in Legacy Hall, Faulkner Street, Armidale this weekend, March 24 and 25.
An exhibition opening will take place at 7pm Friday, which will be a chance to say thank you to the volunteers who help with the exhibition setup. The exhibition will be open from 9am until 5pm on Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sunday. The raffle quilt draw will take place around 3:30pm Sunday, with proceeds going to purchase equipment for the Armidale Hospital.
A broad range of dolls, bears, embroidery, wall hangings and paintings, as well as patchwork and quilts will be on display, with most of the local handiwork for sale. This year, the exhibition theme is “Images” and the ladies have produced some strikingly colourful and creative self-portraits.
The age-old practices of quilting and patchwork represent a fusion of art and craft. As a recreation pursuit, quilting and patchwork is now widespread, on a global level. The textile artform is so popular that it has become a considerable industry.
President of the Quilters & Patchworkers of New England, Robyn Wood said the membership of the local group is strong, with over 60 members and new members always welcome. The QPNE stages a popular annual retreat at Echidna Gully east of Armidale. “Some of us work from a pattern, others design their own original quilts. There is a lot of work and time involved but it is very satisfying,” Mrs Wood said.
The organisation consists of two groups; a night group, which meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month; and a day group, which meets on the first and third Thursday of the month.
“Both groups meet at the Uniting Church Hall, where there are plenty of lights for the night group. We bring our machines when needed and we have workshops to develop skills and techniques,” she said. “We have a huge amount of talent among our members.”
According to Mrs. Wood, it was important that the public make the effort to visit the exhibition. “People can see how our members have been thinking and stitching outside the square, as well as take the opportunity to purchase something truly unique,” she said. “The girls put a lot of themselves into their work. One of our members, Beryl, has helped them do that literally, by drawing or painting the faces.”
“It is wonderful to really create something with your hands. From my point-of-view, it is also a sanity thing: I like to go and lose myself in my patchwork,” she said.
Story: Gary Fry
