Most of this report covers the time prior to the planned AGM in April but, as result of unusual circumstances, New Zealand went into lockdown on 25th March in an attempt to minimise the effects of COVID-19. All Guild activities were suspended, and our normal meetings would not resume until July 2020 beginning with our annual AGM. (11th July)
This is an overview of our year pre Covid-19 and with it goes a big shout out to the membership of 130+ members for their enthusiasm to participate, contribute and support all things to do with our Guild.
This year we have enjoyed the following:
Speakers: Heather Burch (member), Julie van der Putten, Olivia Bradley from Sew Worms, Sue McLean talking about Liturgical Cloth Work, Libby Crawford and her passion for floral displays, Barbara Wilson (member), Donna Ward from Donna’s Quilt Studio, Suffrage Quilt Makers (members), Robyn Murdoch from Tis the Season, Lois Parish Evans and Karen from Aroha Quilters talking about Hoffman Challenge.
Merchants: Sewing Machine World (Clare Holden), Julie van der Putten, Waitomo Sew Worms, Fat Backs (Lori Neels- member), Dream Stitch (Mieke Smit), PK Pens in a pop up shop (Karen Gallagher), Donna’s Quilt Studio, Robyn Murdoch (Tis the Season), Quilting and Beyond (Raewyn and Grahame Clark) and Aroha Quilters (Karen Larsen).
Classes:
Workshops:
Gordonton workshops run monthly for our members – thanks to Jenny Smith for making sure this event is always set up, warm and a wonderful supply of homemade snacks for everyone to enjoy. In addition to our monthly Gordonton days, we have had workshops co-ordinated by Fiona Williams which were held prior to Guild meetings. These included; “Scrap Quilt with a Twist”, “Thread Your Needle” and “Just One Block”.
Community Quilts: Another fantastic effort with 264 quilts donated and now being enjoyed out in the community. This year’s recipients included Salvation Army, Women’s Refuge, Foster Hope, and St John Ambulance. Thanks to Janet Ruf and Jill Walpole along with their wonderful group of helpers for their hard work and dedication. The Guild undertook to make Green Heart blocks which were made into quilts in support of the Christchurch Mosque victims. Over lockdown the Guild has also helped with making hot water bottle covers for local needs.
Other activities: WAI Quilts Exhibition – a total 157 quilts on display and a fantastic cross section/variety of quilts for the general public to enjoy. We displayed 89 Guild Members quilts and another 16 Guest Exhibitor quilts as part of the Hamilton Craft and Quilt Fair held in September 2019 as well as hanging 30 AQS quilts and 22 quilts for the Hoffman Challenge. Thanks to Convenor Pam Groube and the dedicated sub-committee members who organised this exhibition.
Annual Retreat – this year for the extended 3-day weekend at the beautiful Waitetuna Retreat. 24 attendees had an amazing time concentrating on their special projects. The rest of the guild enjoyed seeing these creations, some of which were exhibited at the Wai Quilts Exhibition.
A Christmas event was held mid-year to help avoid loading up an already full December programme. We included the very popular Mini Christmas Quilt Challenge and made it a more social event.
Suffrages Panel Challenge required participants to make a panel/mini quilt to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Women Suffragettes. These were then on show at several national exhibitions – several of these panels were made by our guild members.
A membership survey was conducted this year which has provided valuable feedback for running our Guild as well as some inspiration for future classes and activities.
Thanks:The 2019-2020 Committee are an awesome group of ladies, dedicating much of their time and energy willingly to provide the members with as many opportunities for patchwork, quilting and stitching as possible. I thank them for their dedication and hard work as it has made my job as President much easier.
I would like to make special mention of Pamela Gibbs (current long serving Committee member and librarian), who sadly lost her battle with cancer during lockdown. A special thank-you goes to the outgoing committee members – Janet, Jill, Sue and Barbara – several of whom have given their time over many years. We welcome new members to the Committee with various roles to fill and this year we need five (5) nominations and to have 12 Committee members to run the Guild.
Special thanks to Heather Burch as Almoner, this being such an important role offering support in various forms to our members in times of illness, grief or need.
Our thanks also go to Jill and Conner Maxwell who are at the Guild venue every month to help set up and pack away after our meetings.
Special thanks Virginia Schnauer, our Newsletter Editor extraordinaire. In her role she always gets the newsletter to the printer on time and sees that we have the best possible communication for our quilting community. Virginia thanks for doing this role for three years and providing a massive contribution to our Guild.
We have a wonderful opportunity within our Guild and I would personally like to thank everyone involved for every time one needs advice there is an “expert”, anytime you need information on how to improve/finish or even find a quilt to make, there is always someone open to sharing that information, inspiration or thoughts. In essence - Quilters and Patchworkers don't just share, they care!
Belinda van der Vossen, President
Waikato Patchworkers and Quilters Guild 2019-2020
This is an overview of our year pre Covid-19 and with it goes a big shout out to the membership of 130+ members for their enthusiasm to participate, contribute and support all things to do with our Guild.
This year we have enjoyed the following:
Speakers: Heather Burch (member), Julie van der Putten, Olivia Bradley from Sew Worms, Sue McLean talking about Liturgical Cloth Work, Libby Crawford and her passion for floral displays, Barbara Wilson (member), Donna Ward from Donna’s Quilt Studio, Suffrage Quilt Makers (members), Robyn Murdoch from Tis the Season, Lois Parish Evans and Karen from Aroha Quilters talking about Hoffman Challenge.
Merchants: Sewing Machine World (Clare Holden), Julie van der Putten, Waitomo Sew Worms, Fat Backs (Lori Neels- member), Dream Stitch (Mieke Smit), PK Pens in a pop up shop (Karen Gallagher), Donna’s Quilt Studio, Robyn Murdoch (Tis the Season), Quilting and Beyond (Raewyn and Grahame Clark) and Aroha Quilters (Karen Larsen).
Classes:
- Modern Boro Runner (Robyn Burgess),
- Colour, Texture Adventure (Anne Jolly),
- Accurate Cutting and Piecing (Betty McLean and Stephanie de Lacy),
- Westalee Rulers (Barrie Ashton),
- Fearless Free Motion Quilting (Donna Ward)
- Wool Applique (Wendy Williams).
Workshops:
Gordonton workshops run monthly for our members – thanks to Jenny Smith for making sure this event is always set up, warm and a wonderful supply of homemade snacks for everyone to enjoy. In addition to our monthly Gordonton days, we have had workshops co-ordinated by Fiona Williams which were held prior to Guild meetings. These included; “Scrap Quilt with a Twist”, “Thread Your Needle” and “Just One Block”.
Community Quilts: Another fantastic effort with 264 quilts donated and now being enjoyed out in the community. This year’s recipients included Salvation Army, Women’s Refuge, Foster Hope, and St John Ambulance. Thanks to Janet Ruf and Jill Walpole along with their wonderful group of helpers for their hard work and dedication. The Guild undertook to make Green Heart blocks which were made into quilts in support of the Christchurch Mosque victims. Over lockdown the Guild has also helped with making hot water bottle covers for local needs.
Other activities: WAI Quilts Exhibition – a total 157 quilts on display and a fantastic cross section/variety of quilts for the general public to enjoy. We displayed 89 Guild Members quilts and another 16 Guest Exhibitor quilts as part of the Hamilton Craft and Quilt Fair held in September 2019 as well as hanging 30 AQS quilts and 22 quilts for the Hoffman Challenge. Thanks to Convenor Pam Groube and the dedicated sub-committee members who organised this exhibition.
Annual Retreat – this year for the extended 3-day weekend at the beautiful Waitetuna Retreat. 24 attendees had an amazing time concentrating on their special projects. The rest of the guild enjoyed seeing these creations, some of which were exhibited at the Wai Quilts Exhibition.
A Christmas event was held mid-year to help avoid loading up an already full December programme. We included the very popular Mini Christmas Quilt Challenge and made it a more social event.
Suffrages Panel Challenge required participants to make a panel/mini quilt to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Women Suffragettes. These were then on show at several national exhibitions – several of these panels were made by our guild members.
A membership survey was conducted this year which has provided valuable feedback for running our Guild as well as some inspiration for future classes and activities.
Thanks:The 2019-2020 Committee are an awesome group of ladies, dedicating much of their time and energy willingly to provide the members with as many opportunities for patchwork, quilting and stitching as possible. I thank them for their dedication and hard work as it has made my job as President much easier.
I would like to make special mention of Pamela Gibbs (current long serving Committee member and librarian), who sadly lost her battle with cancer during lockdown. A special thank-you goes to the outgoing committee members – Janet, Jill, Sue and Barbara – several of whom have given their time over many years. We welcome new members to the Committee with various roles to fill and this year we need five (5) nominations and to have 12 Committee members to run the Guild.
Special thanks to Heather Burch as Almoner, this being such an important role offering support in various forms to our members in times of illness, grief or need.
Our thanks also go to Jill and Conner Maxwell who are at the Guild venue every month to help set up and pack away after our meetings.
Special thanks Virginia Schnauer, our Newsletter Editor extraordinaire. In her role she always gets the newsletter to the printer on time and sees that we have the best possible communication for our quilting community. Virginia thanks for doing this role for three years and providing a massive contribution to our Guild.
We have a wonderful opportunity within our Guild and I would personally like to thank everyone involved for every time one needs advice there is an “expert”, anytime you need information on how to improve/finish or even find a quilt to make, there is always someone open to sharing that information, inspiration or thoughts. In essence - Quilters and Patchworkers don't just share, they care!
Belinda van der Vossen, President
Waikato Patchworkers and Quilters Guild 2019-2020
