Welcome to the Waikato Patchworkers and Quilters 2019 Annual Report. Please enjoy reading all that we have achieved and been involved with over the last year. It’s quite a list and you, the membership, make these events happen with your continuing support. We aim to continue to grow as a Guild and provide activities in line with our Constitution objective that states “...encourage and maintain high standards of craftmanship and design in both traditional and contemporary patchwork and quilting”.
In our 31st year we have been busy promoting the art and craft of patchwork and quilting. With the dedication of the Guild Committee we have brought quilters together in a wide range of activities both in the community and in forums for exchange of information, expertise and tuition for our members.
Mr Sharp – who always has a busy day sharpening our scissors and other cutting instruments.
This year there were lots of fabulous opportunities for our members to learn new techniques and ‘push the boundaries’. We thank those Tutors for sharing their knowledge and appreciate those members who take time to share their skills with the group.
Lisa Walton International Tutor Fantastic Fusion weekend and Trunk Show “Leap and the Net Will Appear”.
We run a monthly members workshop (bring your own project) at Gordonton, an opportunity to meet and sew with friends.
Held before each guild meeting we ran longer-term workshops with the Modern Quilt Group and the Scrap Quilt with a Twist (running until June 2019).
Mini Workshops at our Christmas meeting – thanks to those who helped with these fun activities Sally Jenkins, Alison Gibb, Fiona Williams, Pamela Gibbs, Shirley Frew. A special mention goes to Margaret Brasting for making a delicious Christmas cake for our celebrations.
Hilda Ross Quilt Exhibition – 61 quilts on display and lots of visitors from the local community came to see our work, some joined the guild following this event and we hope to partake in the event again in the future.
Calling All Quilts, our big bi-annual judged exhibition was held in October in conjunction with the Craft and Quilt Show. We thank Pam Groube and her capable committee for organising the 128 quilts on display at Claudelands and for organising a very professional event which received a very positive response from a large audience. This year we celebrated the 39 prize winners with a prizegiving held during the exhibition days. Thanks to the judges, Alison Laurence, Marg Hurst and Chris Kenna.
Another fantastic effort - 181 quilts are now out and about in the community. This year’s recipients include Salvation Army, Women’s Refuge, Foster Hope, St John and Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at Waikato Hospital.
Thanks to Janet Ruf and Jo Cavanagh along with their loyal helpers for their hard work and dedication. The guild has also helped with making chemotherapy bags and hot water bottle covers for local needs.
Suitcase Sale – a chance for everyone to share the goodies they no longer want with other members.
President’s Challenge – to make a smaller quilt in complimentary colours that were all then donated to the Neo Natal Intensive Care at Waikato Hospital.
Block of the month – this activity started again in mid-year. Participants are making various blocks with a kit and pattern supplied at the Guild day. The completed blocks are handed in the following month and a winner drawn each month for the completed set of blocks.
Annual Retreat – this year for the extended 3 days at the beautiful Waitetuna Retreat. 23 attendees and many a beautiful project(s) given full time attention.
Annual donation round – more than a car load of goodies for the Men’s Shelter – a fantastic effort.
An unfinished quilt by the late Ngaire Slater called “Common Bride” designed by Laundry Basket Quilts was completed by Betty McLean, quilted by Linda Young and gifted to the Guild by Ngaire’s family to raise funds to be attributed towards the tuition of the Guild members. This quilt was raffled with tickets sold at our exhibitions.
Library books, quilting aids like stencils and DVDs have been a focus this year as a valuable resource for the membership. We have developed the website and Facebook page as a social media tool and this will be of great importance in communication going forward.
This is quite a list and does not fully describe the ongoing value of our monthly meeting as a group of fellow patchworkers and quilters. We have many additional opportunities to sew together, talk about our projects, make something for others in the community to enjoy and get help when we need it, with our own quilts. I hope you will all continue to support the meetings and bring along your beautiful creations for Show and Tell.
At this point I would like to warmly like to thank the Guild Committee who freely volunteer much time and energy to allow all these events to take place. In my first term as President thank you for all you do, Alison Gibb, Fiona Williams, Jenny Smith, Janet Ruf, Pam Groube, Pamela Gibbs, Virginia Schnauer, Jill Walpole, Jo Cavanagh, Jenny Cameron and Heather Burch. To those stepping down from the Committee a special thank you for all your efforts and we wish you well in your next endeavours. We welcome the “new” committee members, their fresh ideas and input into our hardworking group. We are always open to your suggestions, comments and ideas on how to increase the value of the Guild and what you need us to provide.
On behalf of the Guild Committee I would like to thank several individuals. Firstly, Jill Walpole, our Almoner, who is standing down from this valuable support role. Thanks to Heather Burch for taking up this important role, communication with those in need, and liaising with the Guild Committee about members who may need our support. I would also like to acknowledge Jill and Conner Maxwell who are at the guild venue every month to help set up and pack away after our meeting. Last but not least, Virginia Schnauer our Newsletter Editor, in this role she is dedicated to spreading the word and under sometimes difficult conditions to get our newsletter off to print in a timely manner. Virginia, thanks for this massive contribution to our Guild.
To the membership this past year - thanks for being there; for supporting me in the role as President; in the community helping provide quilts for those in need; helping organise our exhibitions whether it be in white gloves, making tea or talking to visitors; coming to the Guild meetings and actively joining in classes, workshops and other events and for making an effort to talk to others who share this journey.
I value and thoroughly enjoy being a member of the Waikato Patchworkers and Quilters Guild and am taking up the challenge as the President to see that we all enjoy the experience.