The Waimea Quilters spend two weekends a year together, chatting, caring, and quilting together.
While many of their projects are for grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, some are sewn for charities in the Nelson Tasman region. Joan Inwood has donated quilts to Age Concern, Women’s Refuge, and St Vincent de Paul. Operation Coverup Ministries has also been the recipient of 40 of her knitted rugs.
“I’m in my 80s but my fingers are still quite nimble, the rest of me not so much,” Joan says.
Now her work will be on display at The Quilt Show next month in Wakefield.
Some of Joan’s quilts are just too personal to give away. After buying a bus, Joan and her late husband had nearly converted it to a motor home when he passed away.
The two quilts Joan was making for the beds were stored away for years, but recently taken out and crafted into a large quilt. Then there’s the quilt the group made as a surprise for her 80th birthday, which is one she would never part with.
Margaret Robinson started quilting in 2003. Living rurally, it was a way to get to know people. Having always sewed, quilting was a good fit. She too has given many of her quilts away.
“When the group first formed, we gave quilts to people who had lost everything in house fires,” Margaret says. “Now those given away from Waimea Quilters go to St Vincent de Paul who give them to families with a variety of needs.”
The quilt to be raffled in September was made by Lana Wilson. She works a 40-hour-week nursing but found time to put it together.
The Quilt Show will be held at Wakefield School from 23 to 25 September.
