THE recent Flowerpatch Quilters exhibition at the Launceston Central Methodist Church Hall was very much enjoyed by all who attended.

The event has been held without fail since 1983 and this, the 27th exhibit, was another wonderful success.

Each year the group makes and raffles a quilt for charity and their charity for 2010 was RNLI. In keeping with this theme the group had made a hand pieced and appliquéd double quilt with a nautical theme, 'Safely Home', placed on display at the exhibition with raffle tickets being sold all week.

The hall was filled with colourful quilts (from king sized to small A4 journal quilts), wall-hangings, cushions, rag rugs and even a quirky mermaid doll! Throughout the exhibition, beautiful flower arrangements by Jenni Brown, Maggie Colwill, and Janet Crossman complemented the colours of the quilts. Upstairs the theme was 'Flowers and Bags' with a wonderful display of both.

The 'Chairman's Challenge', set by Liz Beare, was 'Two Straight Lines and a Circle' —this produced some unusual and amusing exhibits. The Epworth Room had a 'Celebrations' display designed by Jane Waller, featuring weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and christenings.

As well as admiring the exhibits, visitors could take part in the ongoing workshop and take home their own fabric flower brooch. Downstairs, Shirley Dawe and Betty Gosschalk and their team of helpers provided delicious homemade cakes, coffee and teas, whilst the busy sales table offered a wealth of materials, patchwork books, magazines, hand-made items and craft kits.

The Flowerpatch Quilters is a thriving group of both experienced quilters and beginners. They meet on the second Thursday of each month at the Eagle House Hotel. The group has a varied programme of speakers, demonstrations and group exchanges and over the last 27 years have raised over £30,000 for many different charities.