20-23rd September 2018
The Australian Machine Quilting Festival is dedicated to providing inspiration, education and encouragement to all machine quilters that own a longarm, midarm and/or a domestic sewing machine. Come & join us in our new venture to grow & learn about machine quilting!







Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Countdown has begun

AMQF 2014 is now less than 5 weeks away……….how did that happen we keep asking ourselves!  All is going to plan and we are so excited and can't wait to catch up with everyone involved in AMQF.  Classes have been booking very well with some being sold out and others being added to the curriculum.  If you have been putting off booking your classes we strongly suggest that you don't wait much longer.
michelleSpeaking of which, Michelle Pearson, is one of our featured teachers this time and her first class sold out in a flash.  Michelle very kindly agreed to put on another class and this was featured in the last Newsletter.  Michelle Pearson is teaching for the first time at AMQF this year. She is from Perth, Western Australia and has been quilting for 15 years!  Her favourite style of quilting is creative and modern free motion with structure and texture and she gets her inspiration from things that she sees; cultural artwork, nature, logos, books, internet, student’s work, quilt shows, architecture.  She also takes inspiration in meeting people and also from her experiences that she has at home and all over the world.  Michelle has been teaching for 20 years but does not quilt for customers;   Michelle feels as a patchwork and quilting store owner it is her job to inspire and educate her customers to learn how to quilt for themselves.
Michelle shares her favourite funny moment whilst teaching: “I was teaching a 2-day Handi Quilter Free Motion Ruler workshop in my store.  Day 1 went well and Day 2 was all about drawing and quilting different quilting design styles.   When I got to work on the second morning there was NO power and the power company could not give me an ETA of when the power would be on again… oh no! What to do?  Students would be arriving any minute!  We needed light!!  Ever the quick thinker that I am, I decided that the rear carpark was the only solution!  There I was, outside in a mad rush, setting up the makeshift classroom with tables, chairs, whiteboard, markers, drawing pads – the lot!  Needless to say there was plenty light! The only interruptions were the passenger and freight trains – which run past the back of my store!  We certainly would have provided an interesting sight to those who were travelling on the trains!  It worked brilliantly and the power came back on after an hour or so which was plenty of time for students to get in some drawing practice!  Quite a memorable event to say the least!”
Michelle’s dream would be to see more education on the fundamentals of quilting and helping people develop their own style of quilting through retreats or even an academy.

LindaVTaylorsm
Linda V Taylor needs no introduction, I'm sure, as she has been in the industry almost since its inception and is referred to by many as the Doyen of Quilting.  Linda is a very gracious lady and so generous sharing her knowledge and it is an absolute privilege to attend her classes.   Linda first heard about a "quilting machine" back in 1993 and without even test driving it she wrote a cheque for the down payment - all she had to do then was work out how she was going to pay for it......she never looked back!  She had quilts lined up before the machine even arrived and housed it in her living room until she moved her business to a quilt shop in downtown McKinnery, Texas.  Five years later her husband, Rick, built a spacious studio for her and her eight machines.  During her career she has taught students from all over the world how to use the longarm quilting machines.  As one of the innovators of the art of longarm machine quilting, many of Linda's ingenious inventions have been incorporated as custom features on the quilting machines of today.  Linda is also first and foremost a very proud mother and grandmother - all of which are the light of her life.  Don't miss your chance to spend time with this incredibly talented person, you won't regret it for a moment!  Linda’s classes can be found here.

Missouri Star Quilt Company - Trunk Show
If you have been lollygagging about booking a seat to the trunk show being put on by Jenny Doan don't delay for much longer - seats are limited so get in quick to avoid disappointment.  The trunk show is not to be missed if you want to pick up the many tips and tricks to help you in your piecing.  Watch Jenny turn traditional methods upside down.  She makes everything so easy and I can't believe the impact her teachings have had on the industry in general but particularly in the sales of precuts - amazing!!

Web Based Business Promotion
If you were wanting to take part in the WBBP then you only have until Friday 5th September to get your Business Cards and/or Flyers to us.  They’ll need to be sent to;
AMQF, 13 Harbour Drive, Gulfview Heights  SA  5096

Until next time…….keep quilting and think about what to packSmile

Sharon & Tracey

Monday, August 18, 2014

Sue's Sewing World Gala Dinner

Tickets are still available for the Sue's Sewing World Gala Dinner and we have a wonderful night planned for everyone!  Included are a; 
  • fabulous 3 course meal, including soft drink package
  • gift from Wonderfil for every attendee
  • chance to win a Brother Sew & Cut donated by Sue's Sewing World valued at $699.00
  • presentation by Pam Holland
  • Alzheimer's Benefit Quilt Challenge auction of the gorgeous top 10 quilts
  • live entertainment featuring the incredibly talented Danny Hooper
  • Tickets can be purchased here


Pop on your dancing shoes so that you can dance the night away - how long is it since you've done that.  Danny will keep us entertained with his great singing  - his repertoire is amazing and I, personally, can't wait to hear him sing Roy Orbison classics along with many others; you can listen to Danny here (you don't have to purchase the songs to hear them - just click, sit back and listen).  I'm so looking forward to doing a bit of Rock n Roll!

If you'd like to get a table of 10 together you can qualify for 10% discount.  Please contact Sharon for details and booking.

Alzheimer's Benefit Quilt Challenge
As many would know, via our facebook page, the judging of the quilts took place on 4th August.  Tracey and I had a lovely day and it was a great pleasure to judge the quilts that had been so generously made and donated for a great cause.  The Online Auction will start, as of now, so please visit the website to put your bid in.


1st Prize - Bubbles, Rachelle Denneny (SA)
 2nd Prize - A Moment in Time, Lisa Davis (NSW)
 3rd Prize - Flamenco Hibiscus, Val Giles(SA)

The Top 10 will be auctioned at the Gala Dinner and we are hoping to raise more than we did in 2012 which was $5400.  So please support this cause and come with your cash/credit card or cheque book and dig deep.  The following, in no particular order, are the other 7 quilts to make up the Top 10.

One Moment In Time, Jeannie Gregory (SA)
Raw, Glenda Woods (WA)
Golden Dusk, Bron Squire (QLD)
A Moment in Time, Lynne Casson (SA)
Gone fut not forgotten, Joy Plug (WA)
Unchained Melody, Marie Glover (SA)
Snowflake Moments, Sandra Kelliher (WA)

Volunteers
 We'd like to thank everyone that has indicated a desire to Volunteer at festival; you will be notified early in September of your allotted time and job allocation.  If you haven't volunteered already we would certainly love to have you involved, please follow this link and complete the form.

Advertising Deadline Looming
If you would like to advertise in the Show Program please have your completed advertisement to Tracey by August 24th. 

Tours
I was watching SA Life yesterday and they were promoting some of the best walking tours I've ever seen.  If you are a "foodie" or a chocolate lover then these tours are a must see/do.  Click here for further information.  Tracey and I will be doing this after Festival!

For the men in your lives that love to fish you might like to reward them for coming to festival by checking out a fishing charter.  Ken Collins has contacted us and has put the following together....................remember Father's Day is on September 7th - what a great gift.

"I am looking for keen fishermen to accompany me on a fishing charter while the girls go quilting. I have been in touch with the guys at REEL SCREAMER CHARTERS and I would be happy to make arrangements for charter; they require a minimum of 4 people.  There are a couple of options for charters on 3rd -5th October, 2-3 day charter from Point Turton - about 2 1/2 hr drive from Adelaide, $350 pp includes fishing and accommodation.  Another option - Adelaide day trip approx $250 pp.  All details are on the website.   If you are keen please contact me (Ken Collins) via email  Thank you, Ken."

Whilst we're on the subject of tours, if there are any people staying on after Festival to do some sightseeing/touring and wouldn't mind being accompanied by one of our American teachers please contact Sharon to get further details.

Only 44 days to go - how exciting is that!!!

Until next time,

Sharon & Tracey

Monday, August 11, 2014

New classes!

At our 2012 festival we asked all those entering into our Lucky Door Prize competition, what type of classes they would like to ‘see’ at our 2014 event. We carefully compiled all this information & have diligently worked towards answering your requests. There was one type of class that we had not managed to obtain… UNTIL NOW!!

A class on finishing techniques is now available for you all!

We would like to welcome Lisa Warne to our highly respected line-up of teachers at AMQ Festival 2014.

Lisa Warne

Lisa has designed, pieced and quilted many winning quilts including several Grand Champions. Lisa Warne started making quilts for family and friends in 1994 and was immediately addicted to the craft.

Many of her earlier quilts were made without patterns or tools like rotary cutters, then she started designing her own quilts.

Her quilting clients have also achieved awards for their work.
Lisa began teaching various classes and workshops throughout SE QLD in 2009 to meet the demand of her clients requests for fresh ideas and new techniques using time efficient methods.

She bought her first longarm in 2006 and started her longarm quilting business Quick Quilt in 2007.

Her mission statement is to "inform and inspire".

Binding - Innovative new methods
3 hrs - Hands On DSM

Binding

Binding more

"A must do workshop that will completely change the way you bind your quilts!"

Go from ho-hum-OK... to WOWI Binding is the frame for your quilts, you cannot underestimate its value This exciting workshop leads you to discover innovative techniques and unconventional yet simple tools to give perfect results every time with minimum effort. We will cover several techniques and discuss the benefits of straight and bias, double fold, back to front, mitred, inside and curved corners, rickrack piping or lace accents, how to add trims or couching threads and learn to finish your quilts using the techniques employed in award winning quilts to give beautiful straight edges, perfect corners and invisible joins without bulky lumps.

One Fabric Bargello
3 hrs - Hands On DSM

One fabric bargello

Difference between the “One Fabric” Bargello and the Traditional Bargello? there is no horizontal piecing, so it can be made by joining strips together vertically. Using this pattern you can make a ”Bargello” using just one Batik Australian fabric. So if you can cut and sew in a straight line – you can make it! It is suitable for all levels of quilter from beginner to advanced.  This is a very exciting concept, it’s time efficient giving stunning results.

Michelle Pearson

We have also managed to squeeze in another class by the amazing Michelle Pearson. Michelle’s first class sold out in just under 2 days when registrations first opened. Her skills with using rulers in conjunction with the HQ Sweet 16 are excellent and she has offered to provide another more condensed class called Rulers 101 as a 2 hr class on Sunday afternoon. Registrations for this class are open NOW and I’m sure will fill very quickly yet again. Limited to only 16 seats!!

All of these new classes have sewing machines supplied for you to use in the classroom. Thanks to both Handi Quilter (HQ Sweet 16) & Otto & Penny’s Sewing Centre (Bernina 350SE machines)

As always, please check the Class Availability & Updates page when considering classes at Festival in October 2014.

More news coming very soon….

Tracey and Sharon