Bundaberg Quilters Inc members will display artwork with a powerful environmental message through their War on Waste exhibition.
President Sandra Sullivan said the works, a collaboration between the Textile Art and Machine Embroidery groups, would be on display in the School of Arts from August 18 to 23.
She said members had been working on items for six months after taking an interest in the topical subject.
“As quilters we all have a lot of surplus items,” Sandra said.
“It’s the first time it’s been a really topical theme. It’s been more attractive because of its theme.
“We made a lot of things from surplus fabric like our giveaway tote bags.”
Members have created a wide range of artistic pieces from “fussy cut” creations using scrap fabric to birds designed from recycled plastic cutlery.
“We go to other quilt shows and collect the plastic tubs they give you fruit in and save them to use,” Sandra said.
“It’s been quite innovative and has our ladies thinking outside the box.”
One quilter collected any rubbish she could find on her regular beach walks, taking away bottle caps and food wrappers.
On a beach scene quilt she has placed the salvaged rubbish in the shape of a footprint, asking people to consider what mark they’re leaving on natural areas.
“There’s a lot of meaning behind it.”
Treasurer Marian Stohfeldt said quilters had been inspired by the War on Waste theme.
“Sandra encouraged us to go to the op shop or see what our grandmas gave us that we don’t use,” Marian said.
“One lady, her husband passed away and she didn’t know what to do with his ties.
“She made flowers out of them.”
Bundaberg Quilters War on Waste
Quilters will display almost 50 pieces of War on Waste artwork through the exhibition. Some items will be for sale and there will be a raffle and market stall.
Mayor Jack Dempsey will officially open the exhibition at a special event with members on August 17. It is open to the public from 10am to 4pm between August 18 and 22.
The School of Arts building is located at 184 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg.
More about Bundaberg Quilters
Sandra said Bundaberg Quilters is a group of some 165 members of all ages.
“It is now 32 years old and is still going strong.
“It is actively involved in community work – comfort quilts for people experiencing difficulties, raffles for various charities, quilts for our overseas soldiers, weighted quilts for children suffering with autism, blankets of love for stillborn babies.”
- Other news: Another group of Bundaberg women have come together in the name of friendship and recycling, creating 1000 reusable bags in 1000 days for the community to use.
