Quilters thready to showcase their art

FOR thirty-five years the Festival of Quilts has brought the art of quilting to the centre of town.

This year will be no different as the Begonia Quilters showcase the hard work of their 23 members over the past three years.

Held between Saturday, 7 and Monday, 9 March at the Ballarat Masonic Centre, the display will feature more than fifty handmade quilts.

Publicity officer Christine Beswick said she wants the quilts on show to encourage people to take up the craft.

“We want to inspire people to have a go if they feel it’s something they’re interested in, there’s so much you can do with quilting, so everybody can bring something new to the table,” she said.

The group meets every Wednesday for a sit and sew, where they can craft colourful quilts for the Gandarra palliative care unit and smaller quilts for premature babies.

President Pat Stidwill said the group is happy to donate their craft to such deserving organisations.

“Some of our members have had to use palliative care, so we’d like to brighten that experience if we can,” she said. “It’s our way of giving back and contributing to the community.”

Throughout the weekend, patrons can enter a raffle to win a quilt crafted by club vice president Kerry Gadd and also enjoy merchandise stalls from Eureka Patchwork, Millrose Patchwork Ballan and Can Do Books.

Admission is $5 per adult, with free parking on offer at the Masonic Centre, located at 616 Barkly Street.

The Saturday and Sunday exhibitions take place between 10am and 5pm, with the Monday session taking place between 10am and 4pm.

For more information, visit ballaratbegoniaquilters.blogspot.com or email [email protected].