A stitch in time

Group members were given the task of designing quilts inspired by newspaper stories published on dates significant to them.

The 22 finished works all tell a wonderful story and are currently on display at the Visitor Information Centre.

Queanbeyan Quilters Inc publicist Robyn McPherson said participants were required to stick to a red, white and black colour scheme.

However, they were able to interpret the stories from old editions of The Queanbeyan Age or other newspapers however they chose.

Participant Sandra Still picked her wedding anniversary December 31, 1966 as her special date.

Mrs Still discovered while she was walking down the aisle there had been a mystery object floating above Canberra. It turned out to be kite that had drifted out of someone's backyard.

Mrs Still said it took about three months of gradual work for the pieces to come together to make a picture.

"The kite is the main feature of the piece," Mrs Still said. "There is also a silhouette of the Black Mountain tower to show that it is Canberra and three planes. I've also included a tail for the kite and a tassel to show where it had broken off."

Mrs McPherson said there has been a lot of thought and depth to each of the pieces. "If you really look at them then you will see the symbolism," she said.

An example is the winning quilt by Mrs McPherson which is based on a horse being switched for different one at a race meet.

Mrs McPherson has conveyed this with a quilt that depicts a different horse depending on whether the viewer is looking from the left or right perspective. She has won $350 quilting voucher for her efforts.

Other clever touches in the works include a piece inspired by liquor advertisements which uses block titled Drunkard's Path and similarly another quilt based on pigeon's post uses the pigeon-toed block.

Another few highlights of the exhibition include a quilt inspired by a widow who left a $75,000 inheritance to her nine cats, calling for tenders for the Karabar Shopping Mall and the Queen announcing 20 citizens to be knighted.

Mrs McPherson said the completed quilts are usually tucked away in a draw but the group is happy they can now display them in public to be admired.

The group is currently working on their next challenge which remains a secret until the works are completed. The "On This Day" exhibition will be displayed at the Visitors Information Centre for another three months.

The Queanbeyan Quilters Inc meet on the fourth Friday each month and are beginning a friendship group to meet the third Thursday of each month.

For more information please email queanbeyanquilters@gmail.com or see www.queanbeyanquilters.blogspot.com.au.