Quilters World

Viewers Choice

Congratulations to Karen Klein of Toowoomba whose quilt Oak Leaves received the Viewer's Choice Award for Quiltfest 2008. With 100 stunning quilts to choose from, visitors to the exhibition voted for their favourite with Karen's lovely creation coming out on top of the poll.

Relatively new to quilting, Karen was "over the moon". We're really proud of her here at Quilters World... Karen was one of our students.

Head to the Hills For Quiltfest

It's spring... time to get out and about, and the perfect place to head is Toowoomba, for the Carnival of Flowers. Much more than a festival celebrating flowers, the carnival celebrates beauty and creativity.

With over 40 events there's lots to see and do. For quilters one of the highlights is Quiltfest held at Downlands College on Ruthven Street. Running from Saturday 20th to Wednesday 24th, Quiltfest's venue is also a prize winning garden.

The Quiltfest quilt exhibition is always popular and features over 100 awe-inspiring quilts. There are traditional quilts, art quilts, kids quilts ... quilts large and small... and definitely more than one which will stop you in your tracks. You might have a bit of trouble deciding which one you should vote for "Viewer's Choice"... there's just such an amazing assortment.

Gerry's been busy! It's not such a bad job having to deal with a hundred or so quilts.

An important part of the exhibition, the Margie's Quilts of Hope Challenge display is a special show of hope and dreams. It showcases the winners of this years competition as well as all of the 2008 entries.

For the first time at Quiltfest, you'll also be able to purchase a Margie's Quilts of Hope Quilt. Although this years quilts are not for sale (as of yet)... there is a wonderful selection of Margie's Quilts of Hope Quilts on offer. Remember every cent raised in the sale of a MQH goes to charity to support the fight against breast cancer.

Another featured display is the Goonellabah Quilter Quilts & Fibre Arts Exhibit of Bra Quilts. You just have to see it! There will also be a special show of Outback Tour Quilts. You'll be surprised at what quilters can create while travelling around Australia on a coach.

You'll also want to check out the delightful winners of the Fresh Hope Pincushion Challenge. The pincushion challenge is a fundraiser for Fresh Hope, a special organisation that helps mums with addictions. To help support this worthwhile program they'll also have items for sale.

After viewing the incredible quilts on display you'll need to stock up on some supplies. Quilters World have patterns from Kay Meale Designs, along with some must have tools and those fantastic DVD's. Patchwork Paradise from Rockhampton has amongst the gorgeous fabric a few great kits. The Country Quilt Co. stall boasts some lovely patterns with their fabric stash. Then there's the Thread and Ginger Patchwork Boutique with more wonderful fabric, books and patterns.

In the market area you'll also find Ruth Bloomfield and her unique designs. She has new block of the months available for those who'd like to explore their creativity. You also must check out what Annette and Jody from the Quilt Block of the Month Club have on offer. For something a bit different check out Val's Bits & Bobs - she has a fabulous collection of antique buttons. 

They'll be tool and technique demonstrations throughout the day. With morning tea and light lunches available you can spend the whole day browsing amongst the quilts and merchant mall.

If you'd like somewhere really fun to grab a bite to eat try Colours of San Cris. It's about a ten minute drive out on the New England Hwy in Cabarlah, but the food is delicious and you can browse amongst the South American arts & crafts while you wait for your meal. If you're looking for something a bit more indulgent visit Weis Restaurant in Margaret Street for their seafood smorgasbord.

After visiting Quiltfest... we recomment that you take in the Toowoomba Quilter's Quilt and Fine Art Exhibition at TAFE on Bridge Street. 

With two Quilt Exhibitions, all the lovely gardens and much, much more happening at the Carnival of Flowers... if you can visit... you simply must!

Viewers Choice Winner

Meet Jan Phillips from Lismore, the winner of our Viewers Choice competition at Quiltfest 2007. 

Her beautiful floral hexagon queen size quilt attracted at least double the number of votes as its nearest rival.  The viewing public just loved the effect of this seemingly simple (yet really quite intricate) design which involved much planning, fabric collecting and colour placement. 

Congratulations to Jan who won a $200 voucher to spend at Quilters World in Toowoomba - we look forward to seeing Jan again!

Quiltfest 2007

WOW!! Where did those four days go?

Quiltfest 2007 has come and gone in a blink. But during those four days we sure had fun.

124 quits were exhibited as well as the entire collection of blocks and quilts for Margie's Quilts of Hope 2007. An extra special feature this year was the "airing" of the previous years' winners and the now famous "Men's Quilt".

Over 160 quilts in all transformed the Downlands College auditorium into a quilters maze of fabulous color. And around the perimeter of the room were the shops: joining Quilters World were Patchwork Paradise from Rockhampton, Quilters Store from Brisbane, Country Quilt Co from Brisbane, the Lavender Farm (which made the whole room smell wonderful) from Crow's Nest, and Nettie's Country Creations from Toowoomba.

Daily demonstrations and mini workshops on just about anything you wanted to learn were led by resident tutor extraordinaire, Kay Meale, in a dedicated workshop area.

Fresh Hope had a lively sale and auction (thanks in great part to Nikki T) for pincushions which had been donated as a fundraiser for the shelter they run. Lovely Tea and coffee service as well as light lunches were offered by the school staff who had stayed back during school holidays to look after us. There was a buzz of activity throughout the four days.

None of this could be accomplished without the hard work of so many. In fact, too many to list all, but my thanks must go to some very special people: the Margie's Quilts of Hope Ladies who have volunteered their time and efforts throughout the year for organizing the Margie's exhibition as well as all the other million things they do for the charity; and to the "muscle" setting up and tearing down the exhibition - we couldn't do it without you, Rob, Ian, Prince John (also the resident plumber) and Josh; Nettie, Kim, Gerry, Deb, Elizabeth for keeping literally everything together - you are the best!; and dear Sue, reliable, cool, calm, and collected, you are there no matter what is asked; and to all the quilters who sent quilts - you are the ones who made this year's show so successful.

We got so many comments on the high caliber of quilts - thank you all and CONGRATULATIONS! It was your exhibition. You should be very proud.

If you missed this year, where were you?? But, not to worry, we had so much fun we are going to do it again next year! Bigger and better! Watch the website for more info and start planning those quilts now!

Until the next time.....