Calendar
See the QuiltNSW Calendar for a comprehensive listing of QuiltNSW activities and events.
Community Quilts
Since 1983 Community Quilts has been making and donating quilts on behalf of QuiltNSW. It is a voluntary project where members meet to sew quilts for the community and to date over 2000 quilts have been donated. Our aim is to encourage a more homely atmosphere for others.
On-going commitments are to Royal Far West Children’s Home in Manly and to foster children in NSW. Quilts are also donated to various nursing homes and for raffles to raise money for community organisations.
All quilt tops are made prior to meetings and the quilts are pinned and machine quilted on sewing days which are held monthly. No hand sewing is done due to the ‘utility’ style of the quilts. The quilts require only basic, straight line quilting so no expert knowledge is required. Pinners and machine quilters are warmly welcomed on sewing days.
Members who are unable to attend sewing days but would like to participate in Community Quilts are encouraged to take quilts home to machine quilt. They are single size and not difficult to handle on a domestic machine.
Roslyn Moules, Community Quilts Co-ordinator, may be contacted through the QuiltNSW office.
External Events
QuiltNSW has information booths at various events throughout the year. In 2016, this included the Stitches and Craft Show, the Royal Easter Show, Fairholme Quilters Exhibition and Better Homes and Garden LIVE Expo. We are open to having a presence at events, including our Quilt Hoop Display installation – if you are interested in having us at your event, please contact Maureen Teager at office@quiltnsw.com.
Friday Showcase
Friday showcase is an informal but informative meeting is held in the QuiltNSW office (Level 5, 276 Pitt Street Sydney) on the first Friday of most months. A QuiltNSW member is invited to speak about his or her quilting experiences and show their quilts. Many of the quilts that are displayed at the showcase are then hung in the office for a month.
We welcome QuiltNSW members and non-members to Friday Showcase. There is a small charge of $5.00 for members and $10 for non-members. This covers the presenter’s out-of-pocket expenses, (as most presenters have to catch a cab into the city laden with all their quilts!) and morning tea.
If you cannot attend the showcase, come to the office and see a wonderful display of quilts.
The presentation of quilts is from 10.00am– 11.30am. Afterwards you are more than welcome to enjoy the library or sit and sew with your friends.
2017
- 1 September Elaine Raahauge
- 6 October Grace Widders
- 3 November Members Show and Tell
2018
- 2 February Kay Murray
- 2 March Anne Blythman
- 6 April Glenda Wise
- 4 May Catherine Babidge
NB There is no Friday Showcase in January, June and December.
Meetings
QuiltNSW meetings are held at Burwood RSL, 96 Shaftsbury Avenue, Burwood. There is plenty of parking at the RSL club and the venue is walking distance from the Burwood Railway Station.
Doors open at 9.30am. The day starts at 10am with an informative demonstration by a QuiltNSW member and shopping with our guest retailer. Library books are also available for loan. Show and Tell commences at 11am followed by a short business meeting and lunch at the club. The meeting resumes at 1pm with a guest speaker and guest member group. Finally the lucky door prizes, block of the month and special notices and we are finished by 3pm. There is plenty of time for socialising and hand sewing is always welcome. Come along and be involved with QuiltNSW – Visitors are most welcome. Please let us know if you are attending a general meeting for the first time.
2017 Meeting Dates
- 7 October General Meeting (AGM), Burwood RSL (visitors welcome)
9.30am – 3pm
Guest Speaker: Noni Fisher will speak on the early days of QuiltNSW in the context of 2017 being the guild’s 35th year. The winners of the 2018 Suitcase Challenge Competition will be announced with first prize presented by Greg Alexander, Managing Director, BERNINA Australia
Shop: SewCanI
- 18 November General Meeting Burwood RSL (visitors welcome)
9.30am – 3pm
Guest Speaker: Mick Pratt, Camden Quilters on antique quilts
Demonstration: To be advised
Shop: Lyn’s Fine Needlework
Country Meeting
Every two years, QuiltNSW travels from the city to the country for a country meeting. This is a great opportunity to meet QuiltNSW members around the state as we visit member groups along the way. In 2017, our country meeting was held in Tamworth on Saturday 18 March 2017. A report on the meeting and the trip will be in the May Template.
Every other year, QuiltNSW holds a meeting within a day trip from Sydney. In 2018, our Away Meeting will be held in the Blue Mountains at the Katoomba Leura Community Centre, Katoomba. A save the date notice is in the August Template and further details will be in the November Template.
Pop Up Sewing Days
An opportunity for members to stitch together while working on their own project. These ‘days’ are often held in fabric stores all over Sydney and surrounds, on random days of the week and usually start around 10am. Numbers are limited so it is essential that your reserve your place by contacting the office. Morning Tea and a lucky door prize are usually included. Not only are these days a lovely way to spend your time but they are a FREE event for members only.
- Tuesday, 5 September 2017: My Sewing Supplies
- Monday, 27 November 2017: Pop Up Sewing Day – Sew Can I, Werrington Country
Quilt Study Group
The Quilt Study Group exists to promote interest and research into quilting, particularly in Australia. Members are committed to the study of quilts past and present with this study encompassing the social and historical context in which the quilts were made as well as designs, techniques and materials used in both vintage and contemporary quilts.
Unless otherwise indicated, Quilt Study Group meetings commence at 2.00pm – 4.30 pm at Glover Cottages, 124 Kent Street, Millers Point, Sydney. QuiltNSW members $5.00 and non-QuiltNSW members $10.00 per visit. Afternoon tea is provided.
The final meeting for 2017 is on 11 November, at which Linda Butcher will give a talk on Coverlets. As the first prize winner in our new Coverlet category at the 2017 Sydney Quilt Show, the talk is sure to be informative.
Enquiries or bookings, email office@quiltnsw.com.
Sunday Sew-In
New for QuiltNSW in 2017 is a Sunday Sew-in – a day of sewing (machine and hand). Think of this as a mini-retreat. Bring usual sewing supplies (and machine if desired with powerboard/extension cord), project, lunch and a cup … and quilting questions or tips to shares. We’ll provide irons/ironing boards, morning tea and scrap fabric and instructions for block of the quarter.
We will also have a couple of BERNINA sewing machines on hand for demonstrations, block of the quarter sewing and for members to try. We acknowledge the support of BERNINA Australia in loaning us these machines.
We’ve held Sunday Sew-ins in 2017 at Epping Creative Centre and at The Lodge, Newington Armory. The final Sunday Sew-in for 2017 will be held on 22 October at Government House. This event is fully booked and at this stage, it is only possible for members to be added to our waiting list. Enquiries to our office (02 9283 3737).
The first Sunday Sew-in for 2018 will be held at Campbelltown Art Centre, 1 Art Gallery Road, Campbelltown on Sunday 25 February 2018. Sunday Sew-ins are for QuiltNSW members only and registration is essential – either online or by calling our office.
QuiltNSW Retreat: 14/15-17 Sept 2017
The 2017 QuiltNSW Retreat will be held at the Hunter Valley Hotel Academy in Kurri Kurri, a two hour drive from Sydney in the picturesque Hunter Valley. This venue has ground floor access to accommodation, restaurant and auditorium and is set in tranquil grounds.
Indulge yourself with time for nothing but quilting, eating, drinking, laughing and shopping with other QuiltNSW members. The retreat is very casual and presents an opportunity to visit local quilt and craft shops. The weekend affords opportunities to make new friends, see others’ quilts and techniques and join in with chatting and laughter amongst those who have a common interest in patchwork and quilting.
New in 2017, is the option to arrive either Thursday 14 September or Friday 15 September and, in each case, stay until Sunday 17 September – see February Template for details. The booking form was in the May Template and bookings can be made online.
