A beloved annual tradition is back for its 12th year, and this time it’s bigger than ever, with the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society adding a fourth day to its popular Airing of the Quilts event at Crawford House Museum.
The event runs from Thursday, 3 July to Sunday, 6 July, with doors opening earlier, at 9 am, instead of the museum’s usual 10 am start. Sunday will see an earlier close at lunchtime to allow time for pack-down.
John Sim, who heads the Quilt Committee that plans the event, said the extra day had been introduced to help manage the crowds that the exhibition now draws.
“The museum has been quite crowded,” said Mr Sim. “So we figure maybe the Thursday opening will mean that the crowds are spread, and so it’ll give people more space to look around.”
Around 70 quilts will be displayed on the walls of the museum throughout the event, a transformation Mr Sim said really changes the feel of the historic building. Quilts that cannot be hung will feature in a twice-daily highlight known as the Turning of the Quilts, where volunteers hold the works up for an audience while someone speaks about the pattern or method of construction.
The Airing of the Quilts was the brainchild of Jan Allen from Wollongbar, who approached the Historical Society about 12 years ago with an idea for a quilting exhibition. The then-president offered her one day. She held out for three.
“Jan said to him, no, no, no, I want three days,” said Mr Sim. “And so it’s been happening since then.”
The event is now far and away the society’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds going directly to the upkeep of Crawford House. Mr Sim said the quilting community’s generosity made that possible.
“The quilting ladies are happy to have all of our takings go towards Crawford House,” he said.
Visitors can vote for their favourite work as part of the People’s Choice Award, with prizes on offer for the top three most popular quilts, including cash, store credit at the on-site quilt shop, and a Crawford House book. This year, voting also covers a mini quilt category, with entries up to A3 size inspired by the theme “Cup of Tea Time.”
“Goodness knows what we’ll get for that,” said Mr Sim. “Might be a range of teapots or some such thing.”
Shiralee Stitches Quilt Shop will have quilting fabrics and materials available for purchase inside the museum, while Richmond Valley Woodcrafters will be set up in a tent in the backyard. Demonstrations of both hand and machine quilting will also run across the event.
The exhibition draws quilters and their friends from across the region, as well as groups from further afield. Mr Sim said retirement village groups were particularly welcome, and the venue is accessible for those with mobility aids. Bus groups are encouraged to call ahead and book.
For those who have never picked up a needle in their life, Mr Sim said there was still plenty of reason to come along.
“For the combined price of $10, you get not only a look at the museum and all the quilts on display, but tea, coffee, and nice scones with jam and cream,” he said. “That’s pretty good value these days.”
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