Experience four exciting days of craft and creativity at the Craft & Quilt Fair at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, South Wharf from 12 – 15 July 2023.
The event welcomes all crafters to come together and immerse themselves into a world of inspiration and creativity with captivating displays, hands-on workshops and so much more.
Visitors can join special guest, Jo Dixey (New Zealand) in a daily embroidery class, perfect for beginners or anyone reigniting an embroidery passion! Jo is a professional embroiderer, who makes a living from stitching. She has worked on commissions as varied as bridal gowns, church furnishings, artworks, couture fashion garments and also creates some fabulous quilts.
Visitors can also join special guest, Jo Neville from Paper Couture in a paper flower workshop. Jo’s NSW studio is a world made of paper. Garlands, wreaths, doves, paper chandeliers, giant paper blooms, sweet little feathered birds, world globes, table centrepieces and vases of spring blooms are all made of paper.
The Craft & Quilt Fair is a ‘one stop shop’ for the craft community. Book Make & Take classes and discover independent Australian retailers offering high-quality craft supplies, handmade products and expert advice.
Whether you’re a textile artist or egg decorator, take the opportunity to hone your skills under one roof by exploring new crafts, different techniques and the other endless opportunities. Event highlights include:
Victorian Quilters’ Quilt Showcase 2023:
The Victorian Quilters members’ exhibition, Quilt Showcase 2023, will be a magnificent display of quilts in many different styles. Pictorial, modern, art, traditional and innovative and applique quilts, including student quilts, will be on show. Anyone over 10 years of age is invited to enjoy a beginners patchwork class by hand or machine, run by the Guild for just a $5 kit fee. Enquire at the Victorian Quilters information table at the Quilt Showcase area at the fair.
The Apron Project:
A display of colourful aprons, painted by prominent Australian artists will be on display at the Craft & Quilt Fair. There will be a free hands-on activity too, making a flower crown, using eucalyptus leaves and native flowers. Since 2015, artists from across Australia and overseas have united to create works of art on aprons.
Over 100 artists have presented more than 300 aprons, raised funds and awareness about the growing epidemic of Domestic and Family Violence. In 2023/24 The Apron Project is dedicated to underpinning the vital work of the Tangentyere Women’s Safety Group in Alice Springs.
The Australian Quilt Show:
The 2023 Australian Quilt Show Challenge is a national competition for Australian quilters, running for the second year. There were seven categories to enter and a total of 32 prizes awarded. The Australian Quilt Show is a juried competition and the 76 finalists’ quilts are touring the 2023 Craft & Quilt Fairs. Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite quilt and a Viewers Choice prize of $250 is awarded at each Craft & Quilt Fair.
Wall Art:
A fun, interactive art activity will be at the Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair and anyone can pick up a pen and colour in the nature-inspired wall art at the fair. It is widely known that activities such as painting, drawing, knitting, crochet or journaling promote wellness and crafting of all kinds have therapeutic benefits. They promote mindfulness, self-care, and stress relief through various craft activities and can improve mind, body and soul.
AQC Challenge – In Full Bloom:
The theme of the 2023 AQC Challenge – In Full Bloom – is clear, yet still open to various interpretations and the results must be seen to be believed! Entries from all over Australia, plus New Zealand and Spain feature traditional designs and contemporary styles too and the finalists quilts premiered at the 2023 Australian Quilt Convention earlier this year.
Craft & Quilt Fair visitors can appreciate the fabulous, joyful results of the finalists’ works too. There are 30 finalist quilts on display at the fair, including the winners’ quilts for First Place, Runner Up and Viewers Choice.
Knit Cycle:
Visitors at the Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair can get pedalling on the Knit Cycle and knit a scarf! It’s a great way to get warm and see how fast you can knit – you might never handknit again. Visitors can pedal your way to handmade happiness – and check their revs too! Cycle knitters will be invited to make a donation to Lifeline Australia, an organisation strongly supported by fair organisers, Expertise Events.
The Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair takes place at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, South Wharf from 12 – 15 July 2023. For more information and full program, visit: www.craftfair.com.au for details.
Image: Paper Dress by Jo Neville | Embroidery by Jo Dixey – photos courtesy of Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair