Maitland Patchwork Quilters Inc (MPQ) was incorporated in 1986 with the objectives of …
- Bringing together like minded people as a supportive, friendly and encouraging social group, sharing ideas & fabric
- Inspire and assist our members in a helpful and co-operative learning environment
- Organise exhibitions of members' work
MPQ is a member of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc (QuiltNSW) and supports its objectives.
Each month, MPQ hold single day or multi-day events at Tocal Agricultural College. The single day events, called "Sarah Days" are held on the first and third Saturdays in January through to November (except when we are holding multi-day events), from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Sarah Days provide a day where members can come along to sew, finish projects, get assistance from and generally socialise with other members.
Our monthly business meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month, in conjunction with our Sarah Day.
In 1826, 14 year old Sarah Johnson completed a quilt with a design that has become synonymous with her name. The original quilt is preserved in the Shelburne Museum , Shelburne, Vermont.
Sarah days started because members wanted to make this quilt as interpreted by Brigitte Giblin.
They would meet at "Foundation Life Member" Neryl Durie's home for regular get togethers. The back room became too small and the hiring of the local CWA hall became essential.
Thus our "sit & sew" or Sarah days were born.
Multi-day events, called "UFO and Workshop Weekends", are held over two days in March, May & October and four days in July and December. Tutors from all over Australia are often engaged to teach one- or two-day classes on these weekends. Members are invited to attend classes or to work on "UFOs" (Un-Finished Objects ) during these weekends. In-house classes/tutorials run by MPQ members are also available. Members are encouraged to stay overnight at Tocal in the available student accommodation and meals are provided at the canteen at Tocal.
Every two years, usually in October, MPQ holds an Exhibition showcasing the work of its members. In preparation for each Exhibition, members work to create a raffle quilt, which is exhibited at that year's QuiltNSW's Sydney Quilt Show and which is raffled at the Exhibition with proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Australia, funding breast cancer research. To date, over $40,000 has been donated by MPQ.
Life Members bestowed in 2019—25 years of continuous membership.
From Left to right, Dorelle Brooker 19/6/91, Jenny Rofe 20/5/92, Robyn Woodhouse 16/2/94, Sharon Lawler 21/10/92
Jean McNickle 17/6/87
Lyn Nichols 16/5/90
Judith Campbell 16/9/92
Jane Fincher 18/5/94