The Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair is coming to Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 9 – 12 October, featuring demonstrations and workshops with some of the country’s finest crafters, along with incredible craft displays and unique craft products available to purchase.
Experts hosting workshops and talks through the weekend include block printer Rowan Sivyer, crochet artist Alison Thompson and sustainable textiles champion, Jane Milburn.
Celebrating 40 years of quilting, the Queensland Quilters are bringing an extraordinary quilt display and visitors will be able to hear from quilting artists and be in to win an award-winning quilt.
There will be “Make and Take” sessions and workshops where visitors can learn the art of Tataki-zome hammering flowers to print fabrics, make a Japanese Stitched Blessing Semamori brooch, create a dilly bag, learn pattern fitting, learn to create a family recipe journal and a raffia and fabric basket and much more.
For those wanting to get really organised for Christmas, there will be workshops for Christmas ornaments and a gorgeous needle felted reindeer, as well as lots of unique Christmas shopping options by handmade creators at The Maker’s Space.
There will also be various stunning exhibitions for visitors to view, including:
RED by SAQA
The colour red has played a major role in art, rituals and spirituality. Thirty-nine works from makers from the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Italy and Australia are featured in this creative collection – a Studio Art Quilt Associates global exhibition.
The Australian Quilt Show
Finalists’ work from the 2024 Australian Quilt Show Challenge will be on display at the fair and visitors can vote for their favourite. This is a national competition for Australian quilters, running for the third year. The total prize pool is worth $31,797, including $19,800 in cash.
AQC Challenge themed ‘Oh My Stars!’
Each year, the Australian Quilt Convention holds a challenge for quilters. Thirty quilts from the AQC Challenge will be on display including first-prize winner, Elizabeth Dubbelde’s quilt, Soul Dance.
A Moment In Time
With a camera capturing A Moment in Time textile artists Jenny Bates, Maxine Fry, Suzanne Gummow and Kerrie Head, responded to 12 images over two years, challenging themselves to explore new techniques, media and ways of working. The result is a snapshot of textile artworks focusing on subjects such as doors, floral specimens, and other images from the natural world.
The Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair takes place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 9 – 12 October 2024. For more information, full program and to purchase tickets, visit: www.craftfair.com.au for details.
Image: A work by Guest Artist Alison Thompson – Yarn Bombing Hero (supplied)