July 2025 Newsletter
Hello everyone,
Well, we are past the shortest day and though the weather is still wintery for the most part, signs of spring are apparent. I like the idea of beginning a new year in the middle of winter. While everything outside is resting, this is a good time to reflect on the previous 12 months, plan for the coming year, and reconnect with both the people around us and our art and craft.
For Aotearoa Quilters the most significant event of the past year was the Great New Zealand Quilt Show in Christchurch. An event like this takes at least 18 months of planning by a team of people and it is great when the outcome is as successful as the Christchurch show. Our membership continues to grow, and we now have 441 members. Many thanks to those of you who renewed your memberships in May and June, and welcome to our new members, we do appreciate your support.
This coming year is a non-GNZQS year, however there is plenty to keep us involved and connected. The Winter Jumpstart begins in August, with the theme of slow stitching, and a daily word prompt. In August we also have our AGM. This will be online, and further details are in this newsletter. You do need to register via the form on the website if you wish to attend. We will farewell Jenny Fagan and Jo Hollings at this AGM. I would like to acknowledge the considerable input from both into AQ committee work, and they leave with our very best wishes. In September we will be in France with 33 quilts to showcase to an expected audience of 15,000 people. Next February we will be holding the annual two-day planning committee meeting which will include the initial planning for the 2027 GNZQS. Mark your calendars, this is going to be held in Hamilton at the Claudelands Events Centre from 14th to 16th May 2027.
It was great to see seven regional group quilts at the GNZQS. Our regional groups are an excellent way to get to know other AQ members in your area and share ideas. It is good to see further interest in establishing regional groups. Even getting together with like-minded sewers locally can be fun. I recently spent two enjoyable Saturdays with friends, making project bags – we all learnt something and got to take home a useful item.
Nita Harding
A variety of options for interesting project bag backs
