Australia is burning
Our NSW communities have been ravaged by fire since August 2019. In particular, the South Coast of NSW were devastated by bushfire on New Year’s Eve. Our state has suffered enormous losses. Families have lost loved ones, others their homes and all their belongings. Farmers have lost livestock, others their livelihood, not to mention the extensive loss and damage to our native flora and fauna. Unfortunately, it is only the start of our fire season and immediate forecasts predict worsening conditions, and anticipate further loss and destruction.
So whilst feeling deeply saddened by the overwhelming scenes of widespread loss and suffering - it got Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild thinking..... What can we do to help? Well, we can make quilts of course!!
So we would like to call-out to anyone else who would like to help us in making quilts for the affected families within our communities.
How you can help: We have decided to make tree blocks. The tree is a symbol of growth and nourishment. A tree symbolizes the generations of a family; a tree sprouts from a seed, the roots provide strength and stability, and whilst the new sapling is young and vulnerable they are protected by the other trees until they grow and flourish. In time the branches spread and then create new fruit that gives life to the next generation.
There is no restriction to one type of tree block. We would love our quilts to be beautiful and diverse just like our wonderful communities. The below quilt blocks have been designed and supplied for inspiration, but please feel free to use your own ideas and colours. If you would like to help, please make a tree block of a generous 12.5 inch square using a low volume / white or pale grey background. Once completed please send to:
Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild PO Box 54 Jamberoo, New South Wales AUSTRALIA 2533
We are going to distribute the quilts made to the families who have lost everything.
We would like to ask that blocks be completed by the end of February and mailed by 1st March. We thank you in advance for your support.
We invite you to join our facebook group - #bushfireblocks - Quilts for Australia to share your blocks and keep up to date with the project.
Please read the following FAQ document which asnwers questions about block requirements, pattern, materials, postage and more.
New Shoots block by Lorena Uriarte - free pattern available for download here
Modern Tree block by Rachael Letham - free pattern available for download here or download as a PDF
Tree Quilt Block, Quilt Tutorial by Bonjour Quilts - free block tutorial available here
Simple Tree Block by Sew Brainy - free pattern available for download here
