Quilt art covered at Great New Zealand Quilt Show

Timeless, quilt art by Shirley Sparks. Photo / Supplied.

People in the quilting world know what to expect when they hear the word quilting. But still, for some, just bed covers come to mind.

''It's much, much more,'' says Aotearoa Quilters events co-ordinator Shirley Sparks.

''Yes, bed covers is the case with some, but there is an awful lot of quilt art — decorative quilts — to be hung on walls like artwork. Some of them are really amazing.''

The Great New Zealand Quilt Show has got quilting covered. The show brings the very best quilters from all over the country to exhibit and compete in a number of
competitions/challenges.

The show returns to Rotorua for the second time.

The first show was held in 2016 and the aim is to repeat it every two years from this year.

''We have done shows in the past before in conjuction with other craft exhibitions — now we are doing our own thing.

''We do it because we have members of 270 people across the country and we are all about promoting quilting throughout the country.''

There are 134 entries in the members exhibition. Challenges are also held.

Challenge themes are New Zealand through our eyes with 48 entries from members. The colour challenge is pink with 83 entries and this challenge is open to public. The Art Deco challenge has 20 entries for members only. The Hoffman (fabric brand) challenge has 20 entries open to the public.

These ''challenge'' quilts tour the country, Shirley says.

Guest speaker Linda Warner will give a presentation at 2pm on March 9 on "uncovering everyday learning and teaching within the quilting community of Aotearoa New Zealand" pertaining to the art of quilting, textiles, embroidery and sewing.

The local Rainbow Quilters will be helping with show proceedings and be on ''white glove duty''. Rotorua was chosen due to its central location.

Merchants will there be peppered throughout the venue selling all sorts of things to create your own textile art or quilt. There is also a cafe on site.

The Great New Zealand Quilt Show
Rotorua Energy Events Centre
March 8-10
10am-4pm Friday and Saturday
10am-3pm Sunday
One day $12, two days $20, three days $30, under 18 years free