For the past 25 years I’ve travelled to western Queensland to teach patchwork and quilting. I didn’t grow up in the region (nor do I have any family connections) but every year when I return it’s like going home!
In all those years I’ve never seen it look like it did this year. The grass was so high in places it was difficult to see some of the road signs. The cattle we saw had a look of total contentment on their faces.
With all the recent rain out west I was sure most classes would have to be cancelled. It has always impressed me the distance the country women will go to attend classes. Some drive for three to four hours over dirt roads. Flooding would make it impossible for them to come.
In Isisford I was delighted to discover that all but four participants had made it to the workshop. Some had encountered patches of water on their drive but had managed to arrive safely.
If there was an award for 'most determined effort to get to class' it would have to go to Helen. At 2am on Sunday morning her husband woke her up with the news that it had started to rain once again. He advised her to pack up and go if she wanted to get to the patchwork classes scheduled for Tuesday. Helen was apprehensive about driving by herself at night, but her husband assured her she could do it. With the car loaded with her sewing gear and assorted paraphenalia she set off into the night. Travelling along the slippery, very muddy track required lots of circle work but she reached town successfully. She also did a superb job on the wall-hanging she made in the workshop.
The dedication the ladies show is what makes teaching classes in small country towns so fulfilling. It’s not just the commitment to their craft but the devotion to community and friendships. Everyone arrives with cars loaded with sewing supplies, loads of yummy home baking and all their sleeping gear. There’s something very exciting about watching them unload, set up their sewing machines and roll out their swags around the walls of the hall. I’m so pleased to be a part of it all.
On the first night there was a horrific storm with trees blown over and rain pelting down. We lost power, so over to the pub we went. It just happened that it was also Rob’s birthday. He was in his glory, seated at a candle lit dinner table with 12 women and not another man in sight.
After the second day it was time for Rob and me to pack up and move on to Ilfracombe. It’s always sad to say farewell to the ladies, but with all but two following us to continue working on their projects we didn’t have to say all our goodbyes for a few days yet.
In all those years I’ve never seen it look like it did this year. The grass was so high in places it was difficult to see some of the road signs. The cattle we saw had a look of total contentment on their faces.
With all the recent rain out west I was sure most classes would have to be cancelled. It has always impressed me the distance the country women will go to attend classes. Some drive for three to four hours over dirt roads. Flooding would make it impossible for them to come.
In Isisford I was delighted to discover that all but four participants had made it to the workshop. Some had encountered patches of water on their drive but had managed to arrive safely.
The dedication the ladies show is what makes teaching classes in small country towns so fulfilling. It’s not just the commitment to their craft but the devotion to community and friendships. Everyone arrives with cars loaded with sewing supplies, loads of yummy home baking and all their sleeping gear. There’s something very exciting about watching them unload, set up their sewing machines and roll out their swags around the walls of the hall. I’m so pleased to be a part of it all.
After the second day it was time for Rob and me to pack up and move on to Ilfracombe. It’s always sad to say farewell to the ladies, but with all but two following us to continue working on their projects we didn’t have to say all our goodbyes for a few days yet.
| www.flickr.com |
The final stop on our western tour was to be Quilpie and we were so disappointed as the floods had cut off our route making it impossible to get there. Rest assured ladies we’ll be there later in the year!
We do hope you all managed to stay dry and safe, so you can enjoy all the joy the rain has bought. Pauline
Thanks for sharing your western tour. It must have been a fun time. The ladies are awesome. Frankie
Posted by: Frankie Gatenby | 15 March 2010 at 08:21 PM