Colourful quilts galore in Rangitikei Exhibition

Any quilter could hardly fail to be impressed by the designs on show at the Rangitīkei Country Quilters' exhibition in Marton.

"It's really inspiring to see what everyone else has done — you go home buzzing," Quilters co-president Jean Fuldseth said.

"You want to get your sewing machine out straightaway," her sister — and fellow co-president Anne Mimmack — added.

There were 180 quilts on display in the hall at Marton's Ngā Tawa Diocesan School this weekend — plus 60 quilted objects such as cushions and bags.

It was the group's first show in three years, though it aims to have an exhibition every two years from now on. The $5 entry charge pays costs and the quilts enjoy a large space to hang in.

There were 170 people through on Saturday, and they expected the same number on the Sunday. Most of those attending were female, with just a scattering of blokes.

Three chairs in a corner by the entrance were signposted: "Quilt-free zone. Check blokes in here, but please remember to pick up on departure."

Rangitīkei Country Quilters has 51 members from as far away as Whanganui, Foxton, Kāpiti and Palmerston North. They meet on every third Saturday in the month at the Marton Arts Centre.

As well as doing their own work, they collaborate on quilts to give to the needy - 47 last year.

Their exhibition included a competition on a set theme — this year it was "Reflections" and the judge was Paula Shailer, of Rabbit Patch Quilting in Foxton.

But the main point of the exhibition was to look at each others' work, the presidents said.
There was also a cafeteria, and merchants selling quilting supplies — mainly fabric.

Every quilter has a "stash" of fabric, the presidents said — "She who dies with the biggest stash, wins."