Since commencing our Community Quilting Group in 2018 we have donated over 200 quilts to the DV West Blue Mountains refuge in Katoomba. 

 

We have been fortunate to continue to receive a large amount of fabric donations from our members and from others in the community who are aware of our work. We have also received quite a number of finished quilt tops and indeed completely finished quilts which has helped us immensely. We continue to be supported by some very talented and generous professional machine quilters in our group who do beautiful work on the quilts that we make. 

 

We continue to meet once a month on the third Friday and always enjoy socialising and sewing with others in the group. Our facilities at Central Villages Anglican Church are well suited to our needs providing plenty of room for storage as well as tables for cutting and sewing. We are always keen to welcome new members.

 

Some BMQ members like to assist Community Quilts working at home planning, cutting out, organising kits for sewing by others and assembling quilt tops. These contributions are very welcome and allow members to contribute in the way that suits them best.

 

Our last donation of quilts to DV West Blue Mountains was made in September 2022 when another 16 quilts were handed over. We have a good relationship with the Manager and staff at the refuge who have again confirmed that our donations do make a difference to their clients. Tthe women who receive our quilts are deeply touched by the notion that other women who dont know them are prepared to make something unique for them to keep.  We have also donated seven wall hangings to brighten up the walls of the units at the Katoomba refuge.

 

Following the huge success of our Blue Mountains Community Quilt Show held in April 2022 BMQ has been able to make a cash donation of $20,000 to the refuge for them to use as they see fit to assist their clients. BMQ is also most appreciative of a grant received from Katoomba RSL which will support our cause by covering the cost of hiring the hall for the Community Quilts group use and for the purchase of a bolt of wadding.  

 

Our Market Day held at the October stitchers gathering also raised almost $400 for Community Quilts which will be put towards the purchase of our ongoing needs such as wadding, cutter blades, machine needles, thread and backing fabrics. 

 

Thanks again to everyone who continues to support this worthwhile cause.

 

Bronwyn English

Community Quilts Co-ordinator