The 12-year-old was awarded the Australasian Quilt Convention’s trophy for promising quilt-makers under 18 on Saturday night, beating a field of more than 2000 entrants.

She follows in the footsteps of last year’s Shining Light winner, Orange girl Clare Marshall.

Isabella is a year 6 student at Orange Anglican Grammar School and has only been quilting for about 18 months, after falling in love with the craft.

“My mum took me to a sewing shop once, and they were having lessons, so I signed up,” Isabella said.

“I started with a pin cushion and made my way up to quilts. 

“I love to create new things and have fun.”

The pink and purple quilt that helped the youngster win the award was the first quilt she had made.

“It took nine months to finish. I go to [craft shop] Hidden Talent once a week, sometimes twice a week to sew,” she said.

Isabella said she was really happy and proud of herself for winning the award and said her friends and family were excited too.

She said she would continue quilting as she grows older, and already has her next quilt planned, called Storm at Sea.

“I’ve got all the fabric, but there are some other projects I want to finish off first,” Isabella said. 

“I have a lap quilt that is almost finished.”

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au