Antoinette Kriel, the President of the SAQG 's message to the Oranje Quilters Guild:
Antoinette started off by greeting all present and thanking the OQG for the invitation to visit the Guild. She also expressed her appreciation to be able to meet all in person, to spend time with the members and to experience all the activities taking place within the Guild. She then continued to thank Christa Gouws, Esta Knoetze and Iessie Steenberg for the various activities they organized for the Friday the 20th of February where they visited the National Museum, the Anglo Boer War Museum as well as various fabric stores.
Antoinette further explained what the mission of the SAQG is in three main points, namely:
- To advance South African quilting whilst maintaining and encouraging a high standard of quilting.
- Coordinating national activities and facilitate information between members.
- To preserve our quilt heritage.
These are achieved in cooperation with regional guilds by hosting National Quilt Festivals, the Travelling Exhibition and celebrating National Quilt Day by selecting and providing a pattern for all to utilize. The SAQG also encourage Guilds to get involved in their various communities to expand the art of quilting.
Basic rules and regulations are compiled and Guilds are encouraged to make use of these as it is not applicable to festivals and competitions only. This encourage high standards which in turn achieve quality judging by trained accredited judges whose sole purpose is to encourage the craftsmanship of quilting.
The main purpose of the SAQG remains the share of knowledge which is done by appointing representatives in the various regions who is responsible for passing on information about the various activities in their region thereby strengthening the SAQG. These information is published on the website of the SAQG https://www.quiltsouthafrica.co.za/
The SAQG was founded in Bloemfontein in 1989 after the need arise to coordinate the various quilting groups around the country. The SAQG's committee, which include two ad hoc members, meets annually in person as well as quarterly online meetings. Each representative hold a portfolio on the committee.
The SAQG also attempt to put a record of South African quilting in place, to document our heritage quilts and to keep a catalogue of all prize winners at National Quilt Festivals. A list of master quilters is updated after every festival to include current prize winners and the SAQG also own a wall of fame.
Antoinette reminded all that the quilting community is the SAQG and by affiliating you became part of the greater community and thereby privy to a wealth of information. Quilters worldwide have the same passion and that is to ensure the existence of quilting.
After the meeting concluded and refreshments were served, Antoinette proceeded with a Boro class.
