With around 600 quilts on display throughout Braidwood over the weekend organiser say it was the biggest Quilt Event held here so far. The weekend included exhibitions, spectacular open gardens and performances. With 15 venues and a packed market in Ryrie Park, parking was at a premium as visitors flocked into town.
Accommodation was booked out and businesses were trading well.
Event organiser Jill McLeod estimates that around 2000 people visited town for the event. "It's difficult to measure how much money was spent, but the event is a huge boost to Braidwood's economy" she said.
The Friday night Official Opening was a great opportunity to see the beautiful quilts entered in the competitive categories of the Quilt Event 2009 National Theatre Exhibition.
Quilters from Queensland, NSW, ACT and Victoria entered quilts in both the indoor exhibition and the outdoor "Airing of the Quilts".
Viewers also had the opportunity to make their choice of the best indoor and outdoor quilt which received a $200 cash prize. Braidwood Quilters wish to thank the sponsors The Royal Mail Hotel for the Outdoors and The Country Workbox and McLeod Gallery for the Indoor award.
The highlight of the award ceremony was the announcement of the winner of The FyreGallery $1000 Acquisitive Award which was won by Denise Sargo from Connell's Point, NSW. This is the fourth year that Director Cheryl Hannah has offered to acquire a quilt inspired by the artist whose work is the subject of the Fyregallery's November-December exhibition.
The garden Party at Tidmarsh was a great success a Jane Kendall thanks all helpful hands on the day as well as a special thanks to musicians Jake and Angela who helped create a lovely atmosphere. Enough money was raised for the Hospital Auxiliary to purchase a much needed piece of magnifying equipment to view the back of the eye.
Quilt Event Competition Category Winners
The following quilters won the remaining categories;
Category 2 "We are Australian". Jenny Cantrill, Mollymook NSW. Highly Commended (HC) Beth Miller, Kambah ACT
Category 3 "Quilt Made for a Child". Gwen King, Dubbo NSW. HC Lyn Bertram, North Ryde, NSW
Category 4 "Bed Quilt". Robyn Martin, Queanbeyan NSW. HC Joanne West, Torrens ACT.
Category 5. "Wall Hanging". Louise Emmett, Kambah ACT. HC Laraine Pickett, Merrimac Qld.
Category 6 "Lap Quilt" Gwen King, Dubbo NSW. HC Jan Frederick, Braidwood NSW.
Category 7 "First Quilt by New Quilter". Robyn Martin, Queanbeyan NSW. HC Patricia Carter, Singleton NSW.
Category 8 "Quilt by Child 17 and Under". Lochie Ramm, Braidwood NSW. (with help from Grandmother Jenny Tozer).
Category 9 "Quilt Made by More than One Person". Kathleen Hunt, Farrer ACT. HC The Gundillion Craft Group, Braidwood NSW.
Category 10 "Quilt Made from Recycled Fabric". Meg Davidson, Braidwood NSW. HC Joanne West, Torrens ACT
Category 11 "Long Arm Quilter Award". Christine Fahey, long arm quilter, quilt by Jenny Mathie, Kianga NSW. HC Carol Iken, long arm quilter, quilt by Lorraine Mason, Wanniassa ACT.
Category 12 "The Braidwood Quilt Shop Challenge - Black and White". Di Izzard, Braidwood NSW.HC June Weatherstone, Braidwood NSW.
Braidwood Quilters Inc would like to thank the sponsors who supported these awards - FyreGallery, The Royal Mail Hotel, Pig & Whistle, Silken Tent, Braidwood Pharmacy, Braidwood Outdoors, Sugden & Hamilton, First National Real Estate, Len Mutton & Co, Country Workbox, IGA Supermarket, Braidwood Alpaca Shop, The Lolly Shop, Braidwood Quilt Shop and McLeod Gallery.
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