Thirty-one gorgeous quilts were produced over the course of this year’s 24-hour Quiltathon, courtesy of a combined effort from members of Adult Community Education and the Tenterfield Art & Craft Society. The quilters were aiming for 20, and the all-time record of 22 has been blown out of the water.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The sewing machines were whirring late into the night on Saturday, March 18, starting up again early the next morning. Coordinator Fram Bulmer said there were eight core crafters who saw out the entire 24 hours, joined by others in kind and in support for a total of 16 participants on Saturday and more than a dozen on the Sunday.
She said there were some familiar faces and a few new ones, with four ladies coming down from Stanthorpe/Ballandean along with pre-cut fabric pieces they had been producing all year.
The effort received many contributions of materials, along with donations from local service clubs and the Queensland Quilters Guild. The money won’t go astray, with Mrs Bulmer investing $900 in wadding and backing to complete the quilts.
She said it was a great weekend, as she encouraged participants to push the boundaries of their comfort zone in regard to design, patterns and colour. The quilters were pretty tired by the end, but Mrs Bulmer said community spirit kept them going.
“We know we’re helping someone who has had a tragedy.”
The quilts will be on display at the Art & Craft Society’s room at the Tenterfield Visitor Information Centre during Oracles of the Bush, with an official opening at 10am on Friday, March 31 with a guest poet. The display then continues through to Sunday, with free morning tea offered each day.
The feature quilt to be raffled is on display at Sullivan’s Newsagency until relocating to the VIC for the festival. Tickets are also available at the newsagency, with the draw taking place at 3pm on Sunday.
Mrs Bulmer is tripping south around ANZAC Day and aims to handover 40-45 quilts to the local Lions Club to distribute to the community of Uarbry, near Coolah, which was recently devastated by fire.