A huge Thank YOU!

It is now a month since we parted...

I trust that everyone had a great time, learnt lots and are now inspired to create more quilts than ever with new techniques learnt. I so wish I could have taken some of the classes this year.

If you would like a fantastic DVD full of photographic memories then please order here.

What a festival it was! We had so many enthusiastic students and so many creative, knowledgable and extremely entertaining teachers!

But don't fret if you couldn't make it to every class or study every single quilt being exhibited, because Emma did!

In this years DVD you will find photos of just about everything; 

• Classes
• Booths / Vendor Mall
• AMQA Show & Winners
• Close-up detail photos
• Minda Challenge Quilts
• Cocktail Night

and yes....  The Claudia Pfeil Special Exhibit is also included!!

You can now also find all the Minda challenge quilts with their stories on the website in the Quilt Challenge Photo Gallery.

Please forward to all your friends so that they can sign up to our newsletter and be the first to hear dates and details of next Festival in 2018.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all our wonderful vendors this year. You can still view who we had on the website as well as get their contact details in the Show Program that you received in your registration bags or as you entered the show this year.

As we all know - this event would not be nearly as fantastic without the support of our sponsors! Once again I would like to acknowledge them all and encourage you to also say thank you at every opportunity when you are dealing with them.

Gold Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Main Stage Sponsor

Quilt Challenge Sponsors

Class Catalogue Sponsor

Show Program Sponsor

 

Claudia Pfeil Trunk Show Sponsor

Show Pin Sponsor

Wadding Sponsor

Thread Sponsor

Registration Bag Sponsors

Cocktail Party Door Prize Sponsor

Around the Block Sponsors

Festival Package Sponsors

Classroom machine suppliers

Now don't forget to order your DVD full of memories here!!

Happy quilting to all...
cheers
Tracey

AMQ Festival App - 9 days to go.

I'd like to announce that Australian Machine Quilting Festival has a free, official app. You can download the free official Whova app for our event.

You'll be able to:

• View the event agenda and plan your schedule.
• Plan ahead whom to meet at the event by browsing attendee profiles in advance.
• Send in-app messages and exchange contact info.
• Find attendees with common affiliations, education, shared networks and social profiles.
• Receive update notifications from organizers.
• Access agenda, GPS guidance, maps, and parking directions.

After downloading, sign up on Whova with the email address that you used to RSVP for our event, or sign up using your social media accounts. If you are asked to enter an invitation code to join the event, please use the following invitation code: AMQF2016

Download

We look forward to seeing you soon at the Australian Machine Quilting Festival!

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The Adelaide Convention Centre will have public catering in Hall G where the quilt exhibits and Intelliquilter main stage are located. This will be open during Vendor Mall open hours only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 9.30am-5pm.

Please note that Thursday there will be no public catering! So bring a packed lunch with you if you are participating in classes that day. We have our cocktail party (with food) from 4.30pm, but I would encourage you to bring something for earlier as you will need LOTS of energy to take in all the wonderful new information being provided in classes that day.

There are a number of cafes, restaurants and a grocery store along North Terrace across the road from the venue where you can find food. In the evenings from 5pm to late -Regatta's Bistro and Bar, located within the Convention Centre, will be open for meals and drinks. 

On Friday evening Regatta's have live music and drink specials with a million dollar view.
They feature live music and serve $5 wine and beer specials. Live at Six kicks in at 6pm.

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There is still time to add classes to your agenda. Simply purchase online and download your barcoded ticket to bring along with you. It is also possible to exchange classes with a $10 class change fee, both by phone and at the registration desk. Please allow a bit of time when doing this, to ensure we can advise the teacher to have enough handouts for everyone in that class.

It is looking like the Cocktail Party is going to be the place to be on Thursday afternoon! Lots of networking, food, drinks and entertainment galore... You really don't want to miss this as the start of Festival kicks off. Tickets available until only noon on Thursday 25th Aug.

If you are coming along to go shopping and view our six special quilt exhibits, then purchase your entry tickets online at discounted prices. Tickets also available at the door, but why not save $$ by pre-purchasing - more to spend later! Let all your friends know this to come along as well.

If you live in Adelaide, or have arrived early, then please keep an eye out for our Bus promotion campaign. We have advertising an the back of 13 buses running from 8th August to 28th August. Take a photo on your phone and post to your Instagram and/or Facebook page and tag us #AMQFestival to see how far we can spread the word to locals to come along.

I encourage you to download our App for Festival. It was created just for you to make it easy to see all the classes, where they are held and be able to network privately with each other during the event. A quick way to find each other without having those details in your phone. You can chat to others in your class, plus your teacher as well. This was released only over this past weekend and already there has been over 300 messages exchanged between attendees. Many have checked into each of their classes and created their personal agendas with a reminder set to make sure they don't forget to arrive on time.

It does seem like we have an abundance of  'Helen's' this year at Festival? So much so, that there may even be a catchup between them all - though I believe some are changing their name to Helen for the day just to join in.  :)

See you all very soon.

Tracey

2 weeks until we are all together!

Have you...

• booked your cocktail party tickets?
• printed your tickets for classes?
• got all your supplies packed and double checked?
• allowed room for shopping?

then you are nearly ready to come to AMQ Festival 2016!

Just a heads up as well - if you are trying to pack a little lighter to allow for purchases, then be aware that you are receiving THREE pairs of scissors in your backpack. One large pair of sharp shears, a smaller pair of sharp scissors - both from Brother Australia. Plus a teeny pair of snips suitable for travelling with that have blades less than an inch long but very sharp points.

Thursday 25th August we will have our registration desk open from 7.30am for you to collect your wonderful registration bags full of goodies and get your name badges that will allow you access to the Vendor Mall and quilt exhibits for all 4 days.

There will be a very limited supply of spare bags that can be purchased at the registration desk for only $50 (without entry tickets included) If a friend at home has been coveting one of these then you can now get one to take home to them - or get someone to collect one for you if you can't come! The bag and goodies is valued at over $250-

Don't forget to purchase tickets to our Cocktail Party on Thursday at 4.30pm. This is the perfect networking opportunity to meet and mix with other attendees, industry leaders, be entertained and be in the draw for a Tula Pink Bernina 350 Sewing machine donated by Otto and Penny's Sewing Centre here in Adelaide.

We have a great line up of teachers this year with some sharing their journey with us by showing their quilts and story in lectures. If you want to hear these and be inspired then squeeze in some time to hear them.

Helen Godden - My Colourful Life so far! 1hr lecture with show'n'tell

Susan K Cleveland - My Eclectic Quilt Pageant 1 1/2hr lecture with show'n'tell

Join one of the world's most enthusiastic personalities for ooo's, aaaah’s, and laughter to learn a plethora of tips to increase accuracy and add fresh, interesting details with piping, prairie points, heavy threads, and embellishments. See how to take show pieces to new levels and add charming surprises to simple pieces. Susan will share real live quilts with close ups through the projector so you’re sure to see oodles of detail. You may recognise many quilts as winners in AQS Paducah shows and International Quilt Festivals in Houston! Don’t miss out on this good time!

As always, please acknowledge the generous support of all our sponsors that are listed on our website and in the sidebar of our newsletter. Without these, we could not put on the show and provide so many prizes and goodies to all who register and come along.

See you soon

Tracey

Minda Challenge quilts have been received

We were thrilled to receive so many challenge quilts this year that were delivered for judging last week. It is especially pleasing to see such a variety with excellent skills and stories to go along with them. It is a very special moment when you realise just how much heart and soul has been put into these and then to know that they have been donated to Minda for them to use to raise much needed funds to assist the intellectually disabled live lives of their choosing.

The top four finalists have been contacted last night to advise them of this and have been invited to our award presentation at the Cocktail Party from 4.30-6.30pm on Thursday 25th in Hall G of the Adelaide Convention Centre to receive their prizes from Minda Representatives and Horn Australia.

All our wonderful entries in the Minda Benefit Quilt Challenge, were judged on 25th July at Minda Inc, Brighton. We would like to extend our appreciation to Daryl Guidotto, Horn Australia for assisting in organising the venue. With the cooperation of staff at Minda and the following judges, a difficult day of judging was completed.

Judges (L to R)

Elisa Thompson, Quality & Client Safety Officer, Minda Inc

Maria Darby, Senior Manager Quality, Client Safety & Governance, Minda Inc 

Tony de Vries, Senior Manager Commercial Enterprises, Minda Inc

Tracey Browning, Director - AMQ Festival (non judge)

Rachelle Denneny, International Award Winning machine quilter.

The top 4 finalists (in no particular order!)

Lisa Barclay has been our coordinator for this challenge, keeping busy cutting and sending out over 70 kits across Australia. She has had the lovely job of receiving all the quilts and admiring them very much. The stories that go along with these are just delightful and impressed the judges immensely.

Thanks must again go to our sponsors:

Lloyd Curzon Textiles, who donated all the fabric to challenge you to make your quilts.

Horn Australia, who has provided the prizes for the top three quilts

AMQ Festival, who has provided complimentary tickets to the Cocktail Party and a goodie bag for the Judges Commendation quilt.

23 days to go! The countdown is on.....

Don't forget to check your schedule - just in case you want to fit another class in. Book soon to allow teachers to prepare notes for you to take home.

Have you got your Cocktail Party Ticket yet?? We will need to get numbers to the caterers before we commence, so let us know if you are coming.

One lucky attendee will be the proud new owner of this Tula Pink Bernina 350 Sewing machine donated by Otto & Penny's Sewing Centre in Walkerville. You have to be there to be in the draw!

Book your ticket now!

Until next time.....

Tracey