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.
Speaking 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.


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 pack

Sharon & Tracey