Australian Machine Quilting Festival Wrap Up

As I mentioned in a previous post, I went to the Australian Machine Quilting Festival. As I had to attend my sister-in-law's 50th party on the Saturday night I could only attend the first couple of days. The festival is run every two years on the long weekend in October here in Adelaide, South Australia.

As you might assume from the name the focus of the festival is quilting rather than patchwork, although this time there was some of that as well but I didn't attend any of those classes.  I was limited in choice by the days I could attend but I was lucky enough to be able to attend two demo/seminar workshops and a trunk show given by Judi Madsen of Green Fairy Quilts.  Judi was brilliant and I really learned a lot from both of the workshops.
The first was Fantabulous Fillers:

and the second was Fantabulous Feathers:

Can't wait to put what I learnt into practice!

Next up was Judi's trunk show which was amazing. The photos in Judi's book really don't do the quilts justice.

 The section below was only about 4-5 inches across so you can imagine how tiny those spirals are!

Judi was nice enough to agree to a photo with me as well.

On the Saturday morning I only had time for one class, which was a test drive with free motion quilting on the Sweet 16 machine with Helen Godden. I got a lot out of this class. Helen does the most amazing quilting so it was a privilege to learn some of her tips even though it was a very short class.  I was pretty happy with the results although I would have been happier if I had brought my quilting gloves as I'd forgotten what a difference they make!

I wanted to have a real test drive of the Sweet 16 to see if I want to wait to save up for one or go for an upgraded domestic machine. I really loved the machine and now I guess I'm going to need to get saving! My biggest problem is that at present I just don't have the space for one until one of my boys leaves home. That will give me time to find the money I guess.

Another visiting teacher was Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Co who did a whole day of mystery quilt workshops. I chose not to do one of those but did see Jenny on stage when she was presenting the awards at the show opening (unfortunately the photo I took isn't good enough to share).

I loved all the goodies we received as part of the registration package. They came in this really great bag (plus an extra paper bag as there was so much!) which has a great removable waterproof lining - what a great lunch bag that will make!

Here are all the bits and pieces inside including a piece of wideback fabric (mine is black so is a little hard to see), a quilt storage bag, some magazines, a quilt pattern, USB, badge, needle case, wadding samples and business cards:

I was excited by the Tontine wadding samples and was chatting to Rachelle Denneny who has test-driven this new product. She told me she found it was really good, a little higher loft than anything else we get here in Australia, apparently is going to retail at about the same price as what is currently available and the best bit is that it is Aussie made. What's not to love? Can't wait until its out in the shops!

So while I was disappointed not to spend the whole weekend at the festival, I did enjoy my time while I was there. The next one is in September 2016 and I'll be there for the whole thing come hell or high water! I really want to do more hands on classes this time around.

Thanks for visiting my blog today,