View from Above, an intricate and collaborative Bundaberg Quilters patchwork depicting red soil paddocks, rows of sugar cane and beautiful beaches, is touring nationally.
The patchwork of colour represents the Bundaberg Region perfectly and it was chosen to be exhibited around the country in this year’s travelling Australian Quilt Show.
Bundaberg Quilters Inc members Carol Ann Ferguson and Sandra Sullivan co-ordinated the efforts of the collaborative piece, with Carol Ann saying it was one of the club’s biggest achievements.
“Whether you are flying into Bundaberg or you go up to the top of the Hummock you see a patchwork of colour, the farms, the sea, the beaches,” Carol Ann said.
“Our quilt, View from Above, captures the essence of this area.
“The quilting lines represent the rows of trees and sugar cane, the agriculture in our area.
“Then the circles represent our water sources.
“Rich red soil peeps out amongst sugar cane, sweet potatoes, macadamias, avocados, and other crops, while sandy beaches claim their place too.
“This quilt aims to capture this scene.”
Carol Ann said the idea for the View from Above quilt was initiated during the middle of Covid-19 lock downs and was completed within 12 months.
“We started planning the collaborative quilt in August 2020 and it was completed by June 2021,” she said.
“We wanted to reflect on some of the local area to the broader community.
“The original idea for this quilt came out of an invitation to members to submit their ideas about what we should focus on with the quilt.
“This quilt is very much a modern style.”
The View from Above quilt has also been on show at the Ekka and the Queensland Quilt Show, it is currently on display in Sydney, and it will return to Queensland in October.
“We have seen a different approach to quilt competitions compared to how they were in the past,” Carol Ann said.
“The competition provided the opportunity for a broader range of styles and a wider range of quilters to enter.
“This is the first time as a group that we are at this level, and we are quite proud.”
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