Tricia Salau with some of her quilts. 83179 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By VANESSA CHIRCOP
FOR sisters Tricia Salau and Judith McDougall, quilting is more than just a hobby – it’s an art.
Despite living on separate sides of the Australian continent for more than 40 years the sisters have remained close.
Next month Judith will fly from Western Australia to join her sister in a joint exhibition at the Louis Joel Gallery ‘Quilts Across Continent’.
Tricia, who is a volunteer at the Louis Joel Centre, said the exhibition will display an array of different quilting styles that the sisters have made over the years.
“They’ll be traditional quilts and what we like to call art quilts,” she said.
“Some with have pictures done in the fabric.
“I have made a lot of African quilts using African fabrics.”
The pair both discovered their love for quilting more than 25 years ago.
Tricia said she decided to do a course that was being held in an old patchwork shop in Williamstown and hasn’t looked back since.
“We’ve both had quilts in exhibitions but this will be our first one together,” she said.
“We thought it would be a fun thing to do.”
The 58-year-old said she has made friends from all walks of life through quilting, donating many of her quilts to charities and women’s refuges as well being a member of quilting groups.
“Quilters are very nice people who are willing to share ideas – you meet people from all different ages, socialising with people from 20 to 80.”
‘Quilts Across Continent’ will be held at the Joel Gallery from Friday 20 July to 3 August.
For more information visit www.louisjlcc.com.au
