Long serving member and treasurer, Lorraine Wedge, said the opportunity to display works was too good to miss.

"It's wonderful to have this opportunity to display our work in town and to demonstrate the variety of styles in the craft and the wonderful skills of the Group," she said.

"The display certainly shows the public that there is no such thing as a typical patchwork quilt.

"We have a regular timetable of in-house workshops as well as external tutors who extend our skills with new ideas or techniques.

"These workshops allow us to test ourselves and get out of our comfort zones, whether it be with styles or colours."

The Group enjoys making a contribution to the community by providing, quilts and other items to people in need, Support Groups and hospitals.

Patchwork has been around, literally, for centuries with examples identified in ancient Egyptian tombs, and in the patchwork possum skin cloaks and bedding used by indigenous Australian and New Zealand cultures.

Patchwork, once a frugal homely craft and necessity, has now developed into an art form. Australia's contribution to the craft includes the Wagga, a style of patchwork quilt made from remnants and old clothes, often men's suiting fabrics.

Technology has helped the humble textile crafts with the rotary cutter, precision templates, rulers and computerised sewing machines, pre-cut fabric collections, patterns and kits.

The display at The Department Store showcases the enormous variety in patchwork and quilting with bed quilts, knee rugs, wall hangings, cushions, table runners and even clothing. Techniques include traditional hand sewn patchwork through to fabric and thread pictorial quilts.

Wauchope Patchwork Quilters Inc has been operating since 1994 and currently has over 50 members.

They meet at the Rotary Youth Hall on Tuesday nights and Thursday mornings.