Making quilts inspires great creativity

QUILTING AND EMBROIDERY ARE AMONG A RANGE OF CRAFT THAT GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH HOMEOWNER ANNETTE PETERSON HAS PUT HER HEART AND SOUL INTO SINCE THE 1980S AND THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF HER GIVING IT AWAY.

“I love craftwork. It’s inspiring and keeps my fingers nimble, my mind active and is great for my social life, having met so many of my friends through embroidery and quilting,” said the outgoing former receptionist.

Annette admits her quilting hobby is not cheap because of the cost of fabric and threads but says the final results make it all worthwhile.

“It’s not just making quilts for beds but also coat hangers, bags, baby quilts for premature babies in hospital, material bowls for hot soup dishes, potholders, aprons and even Christmas decorations. You could spend your whole day sewing and never get bored,” she said.

Annette said quilting is something anyone of any age can do.

“It takes time and effort, but it is not hard to pick up. Most people, including myself, buy the patterns and you will find some – especially those who have an eye for it – will also have a knack for adding their own touches to make it unique.”

She added that undertaking regular workshops or joining a group can help enormously.

“Having lived in the area for about 25 years now, I belong to the Timeless Quilting group in Port Macquarie. We meet at the sailing club which overlooks the Hastings River, and it provides great inspiration to our creative members.” Annette likes to combine her quilting with her other favourite pastime of embroidery and says one of her favourite pieces is a quilted bookcase which she described as needing `very intricate work’, taking over two years to complete.

“My bookcase was placed second in the Viewers Prize at the Timeless Quilting show about four years ago.”

Annette would love to see a craft group established at GemLife Rainbow Beach.

“There are three of us on a craft committee with our aim being to set up a craft group for everything from crocheting, knitting, patchwork, and embroidery to quilting. With the fabulous new Country Club, we already have a craft room and are just waiting for more residents who enjoy craft to move in. It’s early days but something I am looking forward to,” she said.