International Womens Day

Today my friend, Anne and I made the journey to Maleny to participate in the IWD celebration hosted by Maleny Magic Patchwork and Quilts. The funds raised during the day was donated to the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women.

The lovely Bev Peret from Maleny Magic Patchwork and Quilts was the host and opened with a stirring speech focused on the Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaiste Factory Fire and its relation to IWD.

Everyone was invited to make a block in the IWD colours of purple, green and white which will be made into quilts and travel around Australia to raise more funds.

These are some of the blocks ready to be make into quilts. Guess which one is mine.

Annie in front of the previous years quilts.

The tables were beautifully set and the food divine

The guest speaker was the award winning textile artist, Susan Briscoe, from the UK.

Susan signing my books

Susan has a particular interest in the Japanese Sashiko techniques and quilting. Susan has authored six books, two of which I bought and had signed. Susan lived in the North of Japan where she learned the skill of Sashiko, kimono and tailoring. Below are some of the magnificent quilts she brought from the UK (sorry, all taken on my iPhone. Not the best quality).