‘A map of memories + imagination’

Our quilt won first prize in the Group/Collaborative Quilt category at the 2025 Sydney Quilt Show yesterday!

‘A Map of Memories + Imagination’ is the work of fourteen members of Fairholme Quilters. Thirteen quilters pieced and/appliqued one block each of the on point quilt centre. Each represents a map of an urban area (from village to city streets) from the makers’ memories or imaginations, making a new imaginary improv map of a rural/ coastal town and its surrounds. It was long-arm machine quilted by Laura Ujhazy, another Fairholme member. The majority of the work is machine pieced. 

The project was initiated and coordinated by Jill O’Connor who did that her proposed map quilt would be more interesting if it included memories and imagination from sr real people rather than just her own. Jill put the blocks together and made the setting triangles, in consultation with the whole group. The other twelve contributing quilters were Roslyn Pullen, Jo-Ann Phillips, Elaine Gregory, Elaine Bright, Margaret Weir, Patricia Nerlich, Noelle Sona, Susan Kelly, Hilary Flynn, Susan Mackintosh, Val Nadin and Nerida Williams

The design was inspired by the many map quilts of real and imaginary locations made by quilters all over the world, that have been shared on social media, and our own memories and imaginations.

Our thanks to Quilt NSW for presenting and hosting the Sydney Quilt Show, and to the generous sponsors of our award, Down Patchwork Lane in Penrith.

The Sydney Quilt Show 2025 is at Rosehill Race Course 18 - 20 September 2025.

Roslyn accepted the award at yesterday’s presentation,
on behalf of us all.

A little hand embellishment was added after this
photograph was taken for the quilt entry.

The quilting design represents clouds above the bird’s eye view, the 
curves a gentle contrast to the angles and straight lines of the blocks.