A successful quilting exhibition has helped Motueka’s Land Search and Rescue team secure a $1500 boost while showcasing the creativity of local quilters.
Motueka Quilting Connection handed over the cheque after its recent exhibition attracted a bumper crowd.
The LandSAR team was thrilled to receive the donation, which will go towards specialist gear, training and “very boring running costs”, volunteer Anna-Kate Goodall says.
The partnership began four years ago after Motueka Quilting Connection chose LandSAR as the recipient of its annual donation. In appreciation, the search and rescue volunteers offered to help the ageing quilting cohort with the heavy lifting needed to set up the exhibition space.
“It’s been a great symbiotic relationship,” Motueka Quilting Connection president Sue Hayward says.
Visitors pay a $5 entry fee, which helps fund a visiting tutor for the group in the coming months. A separate raffle raises money for the annual community donation.
The exhibition’s main purpose is to showcase members’ work, Sue explains. An additional feature is the annual challenge, which invites quilters to create a piece inspired by a chosen theme. This year’s theme was “recycled”.
Heather McOnie’s whimsical Country Cottages won first prize, as judged by invited guest Sandy Sixtus. Yvonne Fraser’s softly toned Recycled Denim cityscape placed second, while Jennie Green’s vibrant Chameleon Fashionista, featuring pops of colour against a pale background, was third.
Heather’s piece also received awards for best workmanship and best overall from the quilting connection committee.
Another of Yvonne’s creations, a deceptively plain recycling sign stitched onto a textile background, received the “keep it simple” award. Jennie’s chameleon won the “best use of colour” prize, as voted by fellow members.
Karen Taylor’s cheeky Hold it in or hold it up, created from a recycled bra, received the committee’s humour award.
The viewers’ choice awards went to Kay Palmer for Shades of Cream, Yvonne for Horses and Shirlene Miller for Patchwork of the Crosses.
