Admiring some Dunedin-made quilts at a get-together between
American and New Zealand textile artists at the Scenic
Circle Southern Cross Hotel last night are (from left)
Americans Carol Doak (New Hampshire) and Beth Hayes
(Colorado), and Mary Geary, of Dunedin. Photo by Craig
Baxter.
Introduced as the "Tiger Woods of quilting", visiting
American author Carol Doak said in Dunedin yesterday quilting
was undergoing a resurgence as more people embraced traditional
art forms.
The author of 17 books on quilting, which have sold more than
a million copies worldwide, was visiting Dunedin with 40
other quilters "on a trip of a lifetime".
"We have had a great time," she said.
Dunedin was the penultimate stop for the quilters, who have
already visited Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington and
Christchurch. They will leave for Queenstown today.
While the New Zealand version of the art form differed from
its American counterpart in terms of colour and the subjects
chosen, quilting was the same world-wide, she said.
"We all love what we do, and it is becoming increasingly
popular."
None of the touring party brought examples of their work with
them, so they could leave room in their suitcases for New
Zealand fabrics, she said.
"We are doing our bit for your economy."
The editor-in-chief of McCall's Quilting, Beth Hayes, of
Colorado, said the tour group had enjoyed its time in New
Zealand and would take away not only memories but some new
quilting techniques.
Of particular interest was Maori-influenced art, which would
be of great interest to her more than 200,000 readers, she
said.
About 30 members of the Quilters and Patchworkers of Otago
hosted the group at a get-together yesterday.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.