The Threads that bind us together

THERE ARE EIGHT OF US, good friends going back over a period of sixteen years. We are The Loose Threads, a group of quilters who hang out together twice a month. We do a little hand sewing, eat lots of cake and drink probably far more coffee than we should ...

... apart from a couple of healthy ones who indulge in herbal teas.

We come in all shapes, sizes and ages and our beliefs and political persuasions vary widely, so what has kept us together all these years? If I knew the answer I could solve the world's problems. All I can say is we are comfortable in each other's company. We have been there to hold hands with those among us who have suffered great pain, and to give joyous hugs during the happier times.

Our gatherings take place every first and third Tuesday of the month, and after all these years we still await those Tuesdays with great anticipation.

Every year we indulge ourselves with a marvellous Christmas Lunch at a chosen restaurant. In years past we would draw a name from a hat and make a special gift for that person. Two years ago, we decided to take a different tack and make fibre art postcards for the nominated person. It's been a good exercise, forcing us to think beyond the square to come up with something appropriate for the recipient.

Yesterday was our special Christmas Lunch day. The restaurant was blissfully cool, protected from the soaring heat of a Brisbane summer, and the food was superb. The company, of course, was brilliant, though sadly we were down to seven, with one thread escaping to Sydney for a few days. We were warned to keep room for dessert, and I always obey orders.

It was one of those "I'll have what she's having" moments, only better.

The afternoon was drawing on, so it was time to open our postcards. I was absolutely delighted to receive my card from Loani, who has regular art exhibitions. Now I have my own piece of her original artwork and I love it.

Muffin makes the most superb heirloom hexagon quilts using Liberty fabrics, so she received a postcard which echoed her beautiful work.

On our recent trip to Paris, we came across this restaurant and as one of our members is Margot and it was my turn to give her a postcard, it was the obvious choice. I worked on it in Photoshop, blending two images, and then printed it out on fabric.

I am kicking myself for not taking photos of the other cards, because they were wonderful - including a classic women's pushbike (and there's a tale behind that one!), a brilliant interpretation of work by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and many more. Blame it on the heat and the sugar rush. However, here are a couple from earlier times.

Time for coffee (or healthy green tea) and some shortbread before hitting the heat waiting for us outside.

So what keeps us together? Loose Threads.