My name is Maru, and I have been a quilter for over 20 years. Fabric collage is my passion and joy. I became a Laura Heine-accredited teacher approximately 5 years ago and recently attended one of Laura’s workshops, where I learned how to add an extra dimension of colour and depth to my collages using Inktense pencils.

I have a degree in Adult Education from the University of Technology in Sydney, and teaching at Fabric college is a dream come true. I get to combine my skills and love of fabric and design.

Through the workshops, I guide participants to develop confidence with the collage techniques and fabric choices so they can explore new ways to express their creative talents to produce beautiful and unique collages.

Cardinal collage

Make this lovely Christmas Cardinal fabric collage with Maru from Material Girls Down Under. You will learn the technique that can be applied to any collage pattern. The cardinal is perfect to be made as a cushion cover or small decorative wall hanging.

I will walk the class through an alternative use of materials. We will take yardage and make it interesting, then create a small log cabin quilt top to show ways to incorporate traditional patterns into a more contemporary aesthetic.  

Materials needed: 

-1/2 yard of a light fabric 

-1/2 yard of a dark fabric 

-1/2 yard of a bright fabric.  

-thread [black or match the bright fabric] 

I designed this little bird project with some of my favourite fabrics, drawings and designs; the panel is a delicate image of the original picture, leaving lots of uninterrupted areas for you to decorate your way. I hope you enjoy stitching and even adding small extra decorations as well if that’s your style. I will supply some extra embellishments and some of the primary thread to start the project.

I have intentionally hand-stitched the design all in sewing threads that are readily available to enable everyone to achieve results during the project. If you are a more seasoned stitcher with a full array of threads, you can add decorative threads for more embellishments.

The Birdsong pack includes a beautifully printed cotton Birdsong panel ready to stitch with stabilizer and simple-to-follow instructions included.

Sarah Fielke is an award-winning quilter, author, and fabric designer from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Her best-selling quilt books are a staple in many quilters’ libraries. Sarah has been teaching for 25 years, both in Australia and overseas.  

Project

Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossom. In this workshop, Sarah will guide you through using a Micron pen to draw and embellish the blossom branch and stitching the English Paper-Pieced cherry blossoms. This beautiful small quilt finishes at 15″ x 22″.

KIT: This kit includes tools, thread, EPP papers, a pattern, and fabric to make the quilt top, including a pre-traced cherry blossom branch. It does not include backing, batting, or binding. The fabrics in the kit will differ from those in the original quilt.

We will start with clothing and end with a quilt. This class focuses on all the steps, from the garment to the finished top. The goal is to learn how to use some unusual materials, create something fun and dynamic, and build a skill set that includes fabrics from family members or rad-found garments or save a dollar by getting it at the thrift store. LUKE will show you some efficient ways of getting fabric from garments, and then we will go through some prompts to create an abstract top that uses the qualities of the fabric to make a small quilt.

Two garments that match in colour and a contrasting garment. so like two dark blue shirts and an orange pair of pants or a red skirt and two light yellow shirts.  [ if you don’t have clothing, 2 yards of matching fabric and a contrasting color of fabric that is 1/2 yard or bigger].

If you don’t have anything at home, I suggest shirts from the opp shop. I would shy away from stretchy, thick, or too slippery shirts, as those are more difficult to work with.

Karen is the owner of Somerset Patchwork and is inspired by all things antique and reproduction, especially the shapes and designs used by the quilt makers of the past. The classic clamshell appears in early Egyptian designs and can also be seen in quilts dating from the early 1600s.  

Project – Enjoy an afternoon of fun with Karen while learning a simple EPP/appliqué technique to create this small clamshell pouch. Clamshells are more accessible than they look and can be applied to many other projects.

Class kit – Includes pattern and fabric to create your clamshell pouch. 

Please bring a glue Pen, Needles, neutral thread, scissors, basic sewing kit, glasses, etc.

I’m Anni Downs, and I work under Hatched and Patched. I started working as a Graphic Designer but soon realised my dream of combining art with sewing when my husband and I moved to the middle of nowhere.

Here, I started designing patterns exclusively for a local patchwork business and later branched out on my own, creating patterns and books for the wholesale patchwork market. In 2001, I opened my store (The Home Patch, Bathurst NSW), which I ran for over 20 years. I also created many patterns, books, and fabric ranges. Recently I closed my store to concentrate on my greatest loves of designing in the pattern and fabric arena.

What I enjoy most is hand sewing and all it encompasses, with its slow and methodical practices. My main go-to techniques are Stitchery, woven wool applique, needle turn applique, English paper piecing, and hand quilting.

The kit will include the following –

Pattern, linen, lining, two applique fabrics, applique wool pieces,

lightweight iron-on interfacing, zipper, ric rac, embroidery floss & fusible web.

Students will also need paper scissors, embroidery scissors, size 8 crewel (embroidery) needle, applique glue stick, pencil….and if they have one (I will have some in class) – pigma pen, ceramic lead pencil in black & white.

Students will work on the applique image and the zipper pull during the workshop. They will need to complete the pouch at home using a sewing machine. Rest assured, I will provide detailed instructions on how to sew it together in class.

We have specialised in Japanese textiles and textile techniques for 25 years. We love to share the joy of Japanese dyeing, stitching and sewing traditions through classes, patterns and kits for Japanese bags, accessories and quilts. To enable people to undertake their dream Japanese project, we stock Australia’s best range of Japanese cotton quilting fabrics, Japanese indigo and shibori supplies.

Takara Treasure Pouch kit

You will learn the history, art and possibilities of Japanese hand stitching, including semamori-stitched talismans traditionally used to protect children and stitched on their clothing. Learn how to use these ‘stitched blessings’ to add a touch of Japanese love to your work.

Using a kit of beautiful antique and vintage Japanese fabrics, we will combine your choice of semammori motifs with some freestyle sashiko (chiku-chiku) to make a treasure pouch, perhaps to use as a gift for a precious someone or to keep your treasured sewing tools in. Inspired by the beauty of a display of genuine Japanese textiles, we will use traditional stitching, patching and layering techniques as a springboard for our creative work.

This workshop is suitable if you’ve never done any sashiko or if you have been stitching for years.

Karen is a regular embroidery and patchwork techniques teacher in Sydney. With over 25 years of embroidery experience and more than 60 stitch techniques to offer, she has developed a real love of textured modern embroidery and likes to add small fabric elements and whimsy to her designs. With a design qualification, Karen also looks to share the principles and elements of design to broaden students’ understanding and allow their own creativity to grow and shape projects.

Project

Come along and join me at the Show to make ‘Blossom’. The bag is 7.5” x 10” (plus casing) and features fun textural stitching in perle 5 and 8 threads. Full notes for both the stitching and straightforward construction will be provided.

The kit includes the pattern, all fabric, interfacing, needles, threads, and cord. The motif will be pre-marked on the fabric.

What to bring: small scissors, hoop, few pins, 2B pencil, or disappearing markup pen of choice.

Things are about to get weird! This will be a super fun and playful class, where we will experiment with using non-traditional and historically taboo materials and fabrics in our quilts!

Over my career, I have had a lot of fun experimenting with new and unusual materials in my quilts! From velvet and corduroy to construction reflective gear and old billboards — I have tried a lot (and had so much fun trying to make these wacky things fit into quilts!)

Come with an open mind and bring any materials you have secretly wanted to work with but have been too scared! Or get something weird and wacky that you LOVE to use and tell us about it, too!

Materials needed:

-bring any materials/textiles/random substrates you are drawn to or feel challenged by! We mean anything (leather, plastic vinyl, sheer fabric, sparkly things, embellished things, old clothing, weird fabrics, pieces of paper or magazines, bags, etc etc, etc) — if you’re wondering, “Can I put that in a quilt somehow?”, bring it! And we will play around and find out! 🙂

-pins

-interfacing (if you are bringing stretchy material)

Lisa Walton from Sydney, Australia, has been awarded many prizes for her quilts, including major International and Australian Quilt shows. Lisa taught Internationally and was awarded the Jewel Pearce Patterson Scholarship for Quilting Teachers by the International Quilt Association Houston, USA. Lisa’s quilts have been exhibited in solo and joint exhibitions, and her work is included in collections in the USA, Australia and the UK. Her book – C&T Publishing published Beautiful Building Block Quilts. She has appeared on Quilting Arts TV and The Quilt Show.

Beading Embellishment

Just what you need – another obsession! This 3-hour workshop will teach the basics of bead embroidery and variations. The sampler made in class will be the starting point for many outstanding future projects and a piece of art. As a bonus, you will also make a beaded button using your newfound beading skills.

Wendy Williams creates popular textile pieces using wool felt and various traditional and modern patchwork influences. Her studies in teaching and fashion formed a strong foundation for her work, which is happy, colourful, and achievable for makers at any level of experience. Currently a popular Australian designer, Wendy teaches regularly in Sydney, all over Australia, and internationally for groups, events, and shops.

Wool glasses case:

Learn simple applique and embroidery techniques while making a handy little glasses case for your handbag. We will use a variety of simple embroidery stitches and threads. Choose from a range of colours.

The kit includes wool felt for the case and applique, embroidery needles, patterns and threads.

Chris started teaching 24 years ago and has a busy schedule of classes throughout the year at various shops in Sydney, regional NSW and interstate. Her work encompasses all styles, with an emphasis on a strong colour palette and a current preference for foundation piecing. Chris has regularly contributed to Quilters Companion and recorded two DVDs for the magazine.

She recently published a book, Big Bold and Beautiful, with the Quiltmania team. She is also a great advocate for machine quilting on a domestic machine.

Introduction to foundation piecing – kit

Learn my easy 3-step process to conquer this fabulous technique.

Make one or two New York Beauty blocks in the workshop with the patterns, foundation papers, and fabrics supplied for all four blocks—the colour palette will be more modern than the photo supplied.

Bring general sewing supplies, including a ruler, a cutter, and a small cutting mat.

Add a quarter ruler if you have one, but it is not essential.

Paper and fabric scissors, flat head pins, neutral-coloured thread

20cms freezer paper

Grace is an award-winning quilter with a long, practised background in design and technique. As a teacher by trade, she is well-versed in ensuring students have a solid foundation of skills.

Grace brings her consistent creative talents and patient manner to the classroom. Join Grace to create a classic mini Wagga. Let her guide you through working with thicker woollen fabrics to piece, embellish and finish a Wagga-style mini quilt. Your finished piece could be a mini quilt, a wall hanging or a cushion.

Mini Wagga Workshop Requirements

The kit includes;

9 precut 7inch woollen squares

5 x 5 inch squares of wool or felt fabric for embellishment

50cm square backing

50cm square wadding

Embroidery needle

Perle 8 thread

I have been teaching for more than 34 years. My quilts are based on traditional methods and design with naïve applique and a mix of vintage and modern fabrics. I grew up in the north of England and have a love of English–style quilts. I am inspired by both British gardens and the Australian Blue Mountains, which I now call home. I have taught classes in Australia, France, England, and the Netherlands. Quiltmania published my book, “A Ladies Garden”, in 2021.

 Theodorah’s workbag

This vintage sewing bag is designed to hold all your bits and pieces for any project you’re working on. We will stitch the sample-style front of the bag in the workshop and finish the bag at home. The linen will be pre-marked ready to start stitching.

Techniques include Various ways to cover hexagons, Applique stitch and easy embroidery.

A detailed demonstration of bag construction will be included in the workshop.

Includes

All materials: The same as the photo

Glue stick 

Threads: embroidery and cotton

Needles

Hexagons

Iron on Pelon

Pattern

Bring along scissors and Roxanne’s glue if you prefer to glue baste.

We ALL have at least one stashed piece of fabric in our closet or basement that we are holding on to for some special occasion or don’t know how to use. Let this be it. I want to take out those fun pieces and use them in fun designs we can all learn together. We will work together on scale and design to match the fabric types.

Materials needed:

–that fabric. ½ yard minimum is best.

-1 yard of a black fabric you like with it

-1 yard of a white fabric you like with it.

-a few other colour/print fabrics you want to try to incorporate

-thread [black or match the favourite fabric]

-paper and a pen

For over forty years, Therese has been sharing her patchwork creativity, knowledge and enthusiasm through her teaching.

Therese has developed and taught various classes and workshops from her well-equipped Gumnut Gear Studio in Gunnedah, NSW. In the last few years, she has expanded to teaching online via Zoom, including individual lessons by request.

Therese is also an avid quilt designer, believing that anyone can design their quilts with the correct knowledge of drafting blocks to the desired size and shape. This skill allows beginner and seasoned patch workers to expand their quilting knowledge. Her quilts have won several awards in the QuiltNSW and Canberra Quilters annual shows.

Introduction to Drafting with Therese Rankmore

Join me in this hands-on class designed to take you through the basics of Drafting blocks to the size and shape you desire for your quilt. I will show you how to break down the block, draw it out on graph paper, make pattern pieces, and then transfer them to your fabric.

In this course, you will learn the following:

· About quilt blocks

· How to draft them in different sizes and shapes

· Learn about grainlines

· Making and labelling templates

· Talk about fabrics

· Cutting and marking your fabric

Miss Leela believes that slow stitching soothes the soul. She is passionate about English Paper Piecing and ensuring that this traditional patchwork carries on to future generations. She enjoys the gentleness and joy of sipping tea while slow stitching. You will find her in the garden talking to her flowers when she’s not stitching. In her shop, The Maker’s Stash, she sells her range of precut paper templates, EPP patterns, beautifully curated fabric and threads, and all the handy notions you need for Slow Stitching.

Christmas Star (English Paper Piecing)

In this three-hour workshop with Miss Leela, you will discover the joy of slow stitching and make yourself a beautiful Christmas Star decoration using English Paper Piecing. Miss Leela will take you through all the steps, imparting her best tips on piecing diamonds and finishing your decoration. Your kit contains pattern instructions, a beautiful scrap pack of fabrics, wool felt, paper templates, a DMC Diamante Gold Thread reel, and a ribbon hanger.

Needles, thread, scissors and glue pen will be provided for use during the workshop.