150 quilters from Ocean Shores to Coffs Harbour met at The Barn at Grafton Showground on August 13 to attend The Gathering, an annual event where quilters from across the region come together, share ideas and display their creations.

The organising committee of Wendy Owen, Sue Deeth and Margie Simmons from the Patch ‘N’ Chat group in South Grafton brought together the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday PNC groups who meet at Grafton Textiles each week to put together a fun day of all things quilting.

Guest speakers on the day included Bree from Dear Hazel and Barbie from Hand Stitched Owl, both in South Grafton, and Ant Perring from antonyperring.com, an online store based in Yamba.

There were six stall holders as well from around the zone.

The entry fee for guests was $20 and a fat quarter of reel or thread to be donated to flood victims who lost all their fabric stashes this year.

Five ladies had been nominated as recipients of the flood relief packs which included gifts from the stall holders and a pick from the donated materials table.

Each of the groups are also asked to make a “charity” quilt each year.

This year didn’t have a theme, but more than 80 quilts were shared between representatives from Mullumbimby, Lismore, Koraki, Woodburn and Broadwater.

The major raffle of a quilt started by the late Jean Gadke and finished by her friends at Patch ‘N’ Chat Thursday was quilted by Chris Timmins and Glennis Nalder, and raised $350 for the Myeloma Foundation.

The winning ticket bought by Lorraine Wilson was drawn by Jean’s husband Wayne. The secondary raffle raised close to $400.

The proceeds of which will be donated to Mend and Make Do in South Grafton.