The event at the Bundarra School of Arts Hall showcased creative work in fabric, three years in the making, for about 120 people over May 14 and 15.

The exhibition was a chance to show-off the great depth of artistry and experience among the group, and proceeds will be distributed among Inverell VRA, the Armidale Oncology Unit, Inverell Women's Refuge, and local Bundarra Community Groups.

Member Leanne Stokan made her first quilt at age 14, guided by her mother’s skilled hands, and the tradition of passing the craft down has worked its way along the boughs of her family tree.

“My two daughters put quilts in the show, and when they made them, my little girl was five and my other was seven, and they had quilts in on display. 

“They’re only little doll’s sized ones, to go in a doll’s pen, but they still made their own quilts.”

Leanne invests her love of piecing together texture and colour by creating custom-made quilts for family and friends, many intended for new babies.

“You can do really modern, contemporary, bright-coloured, crazy, out-there quilts, or you can do quite conservative, traditional, pastels or nice country colours,” she said.

The group often creates quilts for groups to raffle off for fundraising, or donations to nursing homes, and they design the piece to meet a range of tastes. Group president Theresa Leyton said  though the growth is slow in the region, the are seeing more young people taking up the handicraft. 

“My daughter started when she was seven, and now she’s 21, and there’s a couple of the younger daughters, and my granddaughters, are doing it as well,” she said. Theresa felt the day of lucky door prizes, fun quizzes, much to see and even a Men’s corner for patient partners to relax while their other halves browsed the crafts on show was a success. 

“We would love to thank everyone who made the effort to come out to our town because we’re so isolated, so everyone had to come out, and hopefully they enjoyed their day.”