The Beenleigh Quilters are preparing to celebrate four decades of craft, community and charity at their upcoming Ruby Quilt Show.
The event marks the group’s 40th anniversary and continues a long-running tradition of hosting a quilt show on anniversary dates and annually at the Beenleigh Show.
President Gwen Turner said the society had grown into a large and active community since it first formed.
“We have nearly 150 members and a purpose-built quilters’ hall at the Beenleigh Showgrounds,” she said.
The hall, built about 17 years ago, is used by members throughout the week for a range of craft groups.
“We don’t just do quilting,” Ms Turner said. “We do every craft you can think of – sewing, crocheting, Japanese embroidery and machine embroidery. It’s a really diverse group.”
The society runs regular craft sessions for members almost every day.
“If you went to the hall today, there’d probably be about 30 ladies there,” she said.
While quilting is the focus of the show, much of the group’s work supports charitable causes.
Ms Turner said members regularly created quilts, bags and other handmade items for hospitals, foster children and domestic violence services.
“At the moment we’re supporting Defenders for Hope, the Pyjama Foundation and several hospitals,” she said.
“Logan Hospital knows if they have a cancer patient who needs things like drain bags or bandanas, they can come to our hall and they get given them free.”
Fundraising quilts and handmade items created by members will also help raise money for charity.
Beyond the sewing, Ms Turner said the group offered an important social connection.
“One lady said to me the other day, ‘I don’t even sew, I come for a cup of coffee and to talk to people,’” she said.
“It’s like the women’s version of the men’s shed.”
The show will run from 9am to 3pm on 5 and 6 June 2026 at the Jim and Kay Davidson Pavilion, Beenleigh Showgrounds (54–56 James Street, Beenleigh), with entry priced at $5.
Visitors can view a wide range of quilts handmade by society members and take part in several raffles during the event.
Prizes include a quilt titled “Ruby’s Rhapsody,” pieced by Kay Mahood and quilted by Karen Billeau, and “Peacock Fantasy,” quilted by Julie from Quilt Haven.
A table runner created by the Machine Embroidery Group, a lucky door prize and a bag raffle will also be up for grabs.
The event will also feature sales tables, trader stalls, live demonstrations and displays of charity items created by members.
