New Zealand quilts come to Alsace
Australia and New Zealand are starring as the featured countries at this year's European Patchwork Meeting in Alsace so, ahead of their EPM debut, we asked the National Association of New Zealand Quilters - Aotearoa Quilters - to give us an exclusive preview of what they will be showing.
ECT: What can visitors to the EPM expect to see in your exhibition?
AQ: We are bringing 33 quilts to exhibit at Carrefour. Of these 33 quilts, 26 are from individuals and seven have been made as collaborative projects by our regional groups. The regional group quilts represent the distinctive features of seven regions of New Zealand. The 26 selected quilts portray themes representative of New Zealand and the Pacific area, and in particular our Maori (indigenous) culture; the forest, birds and environment of our country; our way of life; and topical themes such as consumerism and significant events.
The Joyful Fantail by Merrilyn George
New Zealanders travel widely internationally and some of the quilts reflect impressions and experiences from these travels. We also wanted to showcase quilts that showed exceptional skill in some aspect or aspects of quilt making such as design, colour choice, applique, quilting and thread painting. All of the quilts selected for this exhibition are original designs.
Kina Cliffs by Heather Craig
As this is a group exhibition, five of our committee members are travelling to France to represent Aotearoa Quilters and be present at the exhibition site.
One of New Zealand’s most experienced quilters, Lois Parish Evans is also bringing a selection of her quilts to the show. Lois uses the landscapes and flora of New Zealand and her birth country, Papua New Guinea, as inspiration for her work and has won many awards.
Kowhai Trio by Lois Parish-Evans
ECT: Is there something - a style or a technique - that is distinctive to New Zealand quilting?
AQ: New Zealand quilters use a wide range of styles and techniques in their work. We don’t have a particular style; however, New Zealand quilters draw inspiration for their work from our unique environment and countryside, including our close association with the oceans and water, and our birds and forests. Many quilters use aspects of our indigenous Maori culture in their work, incorporating symbols and legends into their work. Other quilts reflect impressions and experiences from travel to other countries. Quilts are also exhibited that reflect on social issues of the day or significant events both in New Zealand and globally.
A number of quilters prepare their own fabrics, threads and other embellishments for their quilts. Preparation of fabric and thread can include dyeing with commercial or natural dyes, stenciling, painting, drawing, screen printing and use of colouring tools such as fabric crayons and pencils. Some quilters reuse fabrics and items from clothing and household textiles, which can include fabric types not normally used in quilting such as velvet, silk and lace. Various quilting techniques are used, including free motion quilting, ruler work, hand quilting and thread painting.
ECT: What are you most looking forward to seeing at the European Patchwork Meeting?
AQ: As this is the first time we have been to Carrefour – the European Patchwork Meeting, and for some of the group, the first time attending a quilt show outside of New Zealand, we are looking forward to seeing quilts made by quilters from other countries, and in particular the designs, materials and techniques used. This is a great opportunity for all of us to expand our quilt-making horizons, talk to and learn from others and to attend the seminars. We are also looking forward to coming to a very beautiful part of France and meeting quilters from around the world.
So are we! Why not join us there in September 2025?