Posted on 19th May 2010 @ 3:51 PM

A LOVE of free-motion quilting, an eye for detail and a mum who owns a material shop have all helped take 16-year-old Freya Howland-Davis to the top of her craft in Australia.

Freya was awarded the Shining Light Award for Junior Quilters at a gala dinner in Melbourne on Saturday.

Other things that may have helped with the win are the four years of tutelage Freya has received from renowned Grafton textiles teacher Chris Timmins and, quite possibly, more than a smidge of raw talent inherited from a line of sensational sewers.

Freya was nominated for the award by Ms Timmins on behalf of NSW Quilters, and she was chosen from other State finalists, all of whom needed to be under 18, and who had to present a folio of work.

Freya presented six pieces.

“Last year they didn’t give an award because none of them were good enough,” Chris said.

“One of the reasons she won was her stitching – it’s well above her age level.”

The talented and outgoing young quilter said she would love a career in the Melbourne fashion scene.

The night after her award, presented as part of the four-day Australian Quilting Convention, Freya and Chris checked out the red carpet of the Logie Awards.

“I make a lot of my own dresses, I made my deb dress,” said the McAuley student who used to attend Grafton High School.

Freya has won two sewing machines and cash as part of her craft and plans to continue the campaign.