Showcasing quilting creativity

The Henzell Street Quilters group will celebrate its ruby anniversary during its biennial Quilt Show in May which will also be a chance for the public to learn more about quilting and what the group does.

The not-for-profit community group, which was established 40 years ago on the Redcliffe Peninsula, will host the event on May 24 and 25 (9am-4pm) and May 26 (9am-2pm) at Webb Hall at the Redcliffe Showgrounds.

It will feature a members’ quilt exhibition, a challenge quilt display, raffles, traders and members’ craft stall. Entry is $5 (cash only).

Refreshments will be provided by the St Peter the Fisherman Church auxiliary for $5.

Quilt Show President June Hamilton says people attending the event can expect to see plenty of lovely quilts in the 40th anniversary display.

“There will also be a photographic display of past achievements of Henzell Street Quilters over the last 40 years,” June says.

She says it is a good chance for people to come along and learn more about what they do, with members on hand to answer questions.

Henzell Street Quilters President Wendy Forsyth is looking forward to the event.

“It’s a chance to show our talent and it’s always nice to share what we do with the general public and other quilters,” she says.

Three quilts will be raffled at the Quilt Show including one partly made by member Beryl Parkinson, who died before she could complete it. Fellow members Enid Tracey, Peta Blackman and Bridget Mansfield completed it. A label has been sewn on the inside paying tribute to her.

The Henzell Street Quilters group has 98 members with meetings on a Monday morning and Tuesday evening.

Members also enjoy three quilting retreats each year, during which they work on their own projects while getting away from everyday life.

The group is renowned for the connections members have made with the community, donating quilts to charities to help people in need but to also be used as raffle prizes to raise money.

More than 50 quilts have been donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the past 12 months, plus 48 soft toys.

Members have also made dignity quilts for aged care facilities as well as hundreds of placemats, hanging hearts for doorknobs, ‘wheelie walker’ bags and fidget mats for people with dementia.

They also make breast care bags for Redcliffe Hospital and support women’s refuge Jebb House.

Member Jill Brown says there is ‘joy in the making and the giving’.