The Quilting Queen Bee

The Arvida Lansdowne Estate resident in Masterton is a dedicated member of the Wairarapa Quilters, and spends countless hours with her fellow needlework enthusiasts, sharing tips and offering support.

Yvonne’s passion for patchwork began in her 50’s, sparked by a friend who introduced her to quilting. “I’ve always loved bold colours when it comes to fabrics and I do like to create quilts for others.”

Yvonne was a foundation member of the Aotearoa Quilters and has since gone onto become a respected tutor and judge at quilting exhibitions across the country.

Since moving into her brand-new villa a year ago, Yvonne has hosted the Wairarapa Quilters in the new village clubhouse, a space where residents meet for activities and events. "The clubhouse is the perfect location for the group. There’s lots of room for all of the quilts that we’re working on," adds Yvonne.

Her quilting journey took her all the way to Northern Thailand, where she taught patchwork to women from the Hmong tribe, empowering them through the craft. Yvonne was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for her contribution to the Patchwork and Quilting community both locally and nationally.

"Quilting is very therapeutic and it’s a great way to connect with others who share the same interest," she says. She stresses the importance of starting with simple patterns and owning a sewing machine to newcomers.

She says anyone can take up patchwork and quilting at any stage of life. “So long as you can sew a straight line, you can give it a go.”