Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue #137 2026 i Quilters Companion

If you’re drawn to modern traditional quilting and handmade textile art, Fi’s work will resonate with your own creative journey. Fi is the creative force behind Living Cloth, a textile design studio based in Queensland. She is a designer, maker and teacher with a passion for crafting modern textile patterns that blend beauty, practicality and joy. Her work often features hexagons, appliqué and a mix of machine and hand quilting techniques, reflecting a love for both precision and playfulness. She especially loves the Kawandi technique. ABOUT FIONA QC Where do you live? FL I live in an old Queenslander in the small hinterland town of Eumundi, famous for its markets, on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, with my gorgeous creative daughter and rescue dog Ella in a constant state of creative…

JANOME 5300QDC Enjoy going to sewing retreats or a sewing day with friends but you need a light-weight machine? Take a look at the Janome 5300QDC. This model has an array of features: 300 stitches + alphabet, large extension table, six-levels of foot pressure, automatic thread trimming (both top and bobbin thread), 11 Feet including a ¼in seam foot and walking foot, plus it’s light-weight at only 6.9kg. It is lit with white LED lighting; be hands-free with the knee lift to raise the foot and for intricate work or to see the precise needle drop position, attach the Optical Magnifier which sits in front of the needle area, there are three magnifications 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6. The machine hard cover fully protects the machine when it is not in…

The Basics Guide provides information and explanations about tools and techniques required to make a quilt. Many of the items needed are general sewing supplies, and the specialist quilting tools can be found at your favourite patchwork shop. The Basics Guide is available as a free downloadable document that you can refer to as required. You can download it and save it to your computer and/or print it out for easy reference. You will find your Free Basics Guide here: cozyproject.com/blogs/news/quilting-basics-guide…

Don’t miss our fabulous quilt projects, inspirational quilt galleries and interesting articles in the March 2026 issue. Tracey Browning reveals how to refine the classic machine quilting pattern — feathers! Be inspired by gorgeous projects, book reviews, interesting items and snippets from the textile world and learn some more great Domestic Machine Quilting skills. FREE POSTAGE ON ORDERS OVER $150 AUSTRALIA ONLY All the things Beautiful BOM Kit includes all fabric for quilt top, binding and pattern. $47/month. (Postage included) Pick a Petal 6 part BOM $90/month (postage included) Finished Size 72" x 72" BOM includes all fabric for quilt top, patterns and templates. 26 Fairway Close, Howlong NSW 2643 p. 02 6026 5489 | m. 0428 577 957 e. info@whateverwhereever.com.au www.whateverwhereever.com.au…

FROM SCRAPS TO STUNNING We love this simple but effective scrap quilt. It’s a fabulous way to breathe new life into leftover binding strips, jelly roll strips or for cutting down pieces of yardage or fat quarters. This design celebrates every shade in your scrap basket – from the palest pastels to the deepest darks and everything in between. It works with whatever you have. Find the free step-by-step instructions on the Kitchen Table Quilting blog at https://kitchentablequilting.com/blogs/kitchen-table-quilting/new-tutorial-valued-scrap-quilt LACED WITH HUMOUR A textile work created from an eclectic mix of fabric, paint, wool, thread, doilies, felt, bailing twine, buttons, rope and lace has taken out the 2025 Pro Hart Outback Art Prize. Entitled Not So Wild West, the piece was created by Broken Hill artist Krystle Evans. She said, “Inspired…

The Australian Quilt & Textile Collection is a nationally significant archive dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of textile artistry in Australia. Founded with a vision to honour the creative voices of Australian quiltmakers and textile artists, the collection showcases works that span traditional techniques, contemporary innovation and personal storytelling. From hand-stitched heirlooms to bold modern compositions, each piece in the collection reflects the cultural, historical, and artistic threads that shape Australia’s diverse textile heritage. Housed in a purpose-built facility, the Australian Quilt & Textile Collection serves as a resource for researchers, curators, educators and enthusiasts. A New Adventure Begins A small team of kindred spirited quilters came together to develop a vision and a plan. This ultimately led to the development of a comprehensive suite of documents…

Whether you quilt on a domestic machine tucked into a spare room or command a long arm in a dedicated studio, achieving consistently beautiful stitches hinges entirely on mastering tension. It’s the invisible handshake between your top thread and your bobbin thread and when that handshake is perfectly balanced, the resulting seam is strong, smooth and aesthetically flawless. Tension issues are arguably the most frequent and frustrating hurdle for machine quilters. A stitch that’s too loose is weak and sloppy; one that’s too tight puckers the fabric and can cause thread breaks. The good news? Perfect tension isn’t a mystical art — it’s a mechanical skill that anyone can master with knowledge, practice and a systematic approach. The Anatomy of a Perfect Stitch Before we dive into troubleshooting, let’s define…

2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the International Quilt Festival, making last year’s event especially meaningful. Organisers scheduled it earlier than usual so attendees could be home for Halloween. It was a great chance to immerse oneself in the global quilting community, explore new techniques and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Following is a selection of the many winning quilts. You can see them all at: www.quilts.com/quilt-festival/judged-show-winners-2025 Handi Quilter Best of Show The Visitation, 200cm x 198cm (79in x 78in), Ricky Tims, USA Artist Statement: “Original hand-dyed fabrics were assembled using curved piecing (not paper-piecing). The raven was created with bobbin-embroidered feathers and invisible turnededge appliqué. The moon is from an original photo that was digitised and printed. The raven symbolises foreboding darkness. The clock suggests using time wisely. The tree represents…

All diaries feature: - Hard cover - All major public holidays, 2026 school terms, dates for Australia & New Zealand included - Each week displayed in a single page (week begins on Monday) The perfect gift idea! Get your Quilters Companion 2026 diary with this offer 12 ISSUES Quilters Companion magazine RRP $155.40 PLUS 2 SPECIAL EDITION ISSUES Great Australian Quilts RRP $25.90 PLUS YOUR CHOICE OF two 2026 diaries (Quilters Companion, Australian Country Collections or Australian Country Gardens) RRP $20 each TOTAL RRP $221.30 Only $195 SAVE $26.30! SUBSCRIBE NOW To receive this offer, call 1300 303 414 and quote the code: QC137. HURRY! Offer ends 9 March, 2026…

Zara’s work is deeply influenced by her background in microbiology, photography and nature walks. She often uses macro and microscopic perspectives to highlight the fragility, complexity and uniqueness of natural forms. Her quilts are not just visual compositions — they’re reflections on identity, perception and conservation. The themes she works with, nature, reflection, illusion, heritage and biodiversity, illustrate her philosophy of emphasisng the value of differences in all life forms and questioning how we perceive reality. ABOUT ZARA QC Where do you live? ZZ In the beautiful foothills of Highbury, South Australia. I’m so lucky to have lots of natural inspiration around me due to an extensive conservation park network that exists within walking distance. QC When did you start quilting? ZZ When my second child was a toddler. She…

Sisters, Oregon: Five Decades of Quilting in America Jean Wells Renowned as the world’s largest outdoor quilt show, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in Sisters, Oregon, attracts more than 10,000 visitors annually to celebrate quilting artistry and craftsmanship. Explore the vibrant quilting community that gathers in this picturesque town, guided by the vision of quilters Jean and Valori Wells. Relive your experience or imagine your visit with this engaging overview of the show’s history, unique community ties and stunning photos capturing memorable moments and quilt displays. Immerse yourself in hundreds of vibrant, full-colour photos celebrating the rich history of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. The perfect souvenir for anyone who has attended this bucket-list event or dreams of going. Explore the deep connections between the show’s founder, the town, the…

NSW SYDNEY • Lyn’s Fine Needlework 2/9 Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills, 2153 Ph: (02) 9686 2325 lynsneedlework@aol.com www.lynsfineneedlework.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm NEPEAN/BLUE MOUNTAINS • Cowra Patchwork Shop 2/119 Kendal Street, Cowra 2794 Ph: (02) 6342 3854 www.cowra-patchwork.business.site Open: Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm, Sat 8.30am–12.30pm • Post Office Patchwork 33 Ross Street, Glenbrook 2773 Ph: (02) 4739 9555 pop@postofficepatchwork.net.au www.postofficepatchwork.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–3pm RIVERINA • Coleambally Stitch in Time 13 Brolga Place, Coleambally 2707 Ph: (02) 6954 4242 coleamballystitchintime@allthingsquilting.com.au www.coleamballystitchintime.allthingsquilting.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–4.30pm, Sat By appointment • Hen Tea Store 28 Sladen Street, Henty 2658 Ph: 0414 581 620 info@henteastore.com.au www.henteastore.com.au Open: Mon–Thu By appointment, Fri 10am–2pm, Sat 9.30–12.30pm • The Cotton Merchants 37 Wynard Street, Tumut 2720 Ph: (02) 6947 1175 thecottonmerchants@gmail.com www.thecottonmerchants.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–3.30pm, Sat–Sun…

NSW MARCH 13–15 Modern Quilt Show Petersham Town Hall 107 Crystal Street Petersham NSW 2049 More information: www.modernquiltshowaustralia.com AUGUST 21–23 Wangi Quilters’ Biennial Quilt Show Wangi Workers’ Club, Market Street, Wangi Wangi More information: wangiquilters@gmail.com SEPTEMBER Nature Machine: 6th Tamworth Textile Triennial Tamworth Regional Gallery 466 Peel Street, Tamworth More information: gallery@tamworth.nsw.gov.au SA MARCH 27–30 Australian Machine Quilting Festival Adelaide Showground Goodwood Road, Wayville More information: amqf.com.au Victoria FEBRUARY 12–14 Shepparton Craft Alive Multi Purpose Pavilion Archer Street, Shepparton More information: www.craftalive.com.au FEBRUARY 19–21 Albury Wodonga Craft Alive Wodonga Exhibition Centre Hamilton Smith Drive, Wodonga More information: www.craftalive.com.au MARCH 5–7 Toowoomba Craft Alive The Goods Shed 3 Victoria Street, Toowoomba City More information: www.craftalive.com.au USA FEBRUARY 19–21 QuiltCON Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina More information:…