A DURBAN North family have created a visual masterpiece that will literally take your breath away. Bianca Ruddy, her mother, Drene Ruddy, and her grandmother, Drienie Swart (87), recently completed the quilt inspired by Nelson Mandela. The Madiba quilt, bursting with vibrant colours, shapes and designs, comprised of 3 584 squares that took three years to complete. Incredibly, the quilt was made to the dimensions of Mandela’s prison cell (7×8 feet dimensions) on Robben Island. The edging around the portrait shows the colours of the rainbow nation, while the South African flag graces the back of the quilt.

The three generations quilt was one of the standouts at the recent National Quilt Festival at Kearsney College and received a ‘highly commended’ from the judges. Taking a closer look at the quilt, there is no doubt that yarns of talent have played a part in creating one of the most inspiring collaborative works of art.

While this was Bianca’s first quilt, she insisted she could not have completed the quilt without the help of her mother and gran.

“I grew up with a needle in my hand and my mom was always on my case to make a quilt. Madiba was an easy choice, his name says it all, he is a man who means so much to South Africa and the world. We have such an amazing country and I wanted to do something that showed the vibrancy of SA. Having three generations working on this project was incredibly special.

“I worked on the quilt on and off which is why it took three years to complete. The methods involved are intricate and time-consuming, and to achieve perfection takes many hours of dedicated work, the major talent is patience,” she laughed. “My mom and grandmother were incredible, they were meticulous and I couldn’t have asked to work with anyone more special than them.”

Her mother, Drene, said she was blown away by the responses from visitors at the quilt festival.

“The responses were incredible and it’s great to get such positive feedback from people. This was Bianca’s first quilt and I know it won’t be her last. She is already planning her next one. She did all the planning and worked out the specs for the quilt and the finished product is quite incredible,” Drene said.