Newsletter No. 25

Dear Members

 

As we wind down from the AMQ Festival & AMQA Quilt Show held in Adelaide only a few short weeks ago, we thought it fitting this newsletter be sent out, especially for those who were not able to come to Festival so you are kept up to date with all that went on in Adelaide. 

 

AMQ Festival News

For everyone who did come along, we hope you are all recovering well. There has been lots of positive feedback from all the activities during this time:

 

• Ricky Tims’ Seminar on the Friday was packed almost to capacity.
• All the classes went really well with students coming away with so much knowledge & renewed enthusiasm.
• The AMQA quilt show was just amazing with approx 120 quilts on show.  The quilts were just stunning!!  Well done to everyone who entered.
• There was a great range of shops in the Vendor Mall with lots of goodies available for everyone.
• The Alzheimer’s Benefit Challenge received many entries & they looked just fantastic displayed near the cafeteria area.  According to the latest Festival blog, they raised over $6,500 which is just fantastic!! Thanks to all who took part in this.

 

AMQ Festival is the only machine quilting event of its kind in Australia, offering classes in machine quilting, embroidery & technology for both domestic, midarm & longarm machines. We must congratulate Tracey Browning & Sharon Parkinson of AMQF for their tireless efforts in putting this wonderful event together.  

 

AMQA Show - THANK YOU SPONSORS!!!

We thank the following sponsors for their contribution for prizes for the Quilt Show and ask that you visit their website or call them next time you are looking for products/services for your quilting business. If you are reading this newsletter on the Continuous Lines Blog, here http://continuouslines.blogspot.com.au/ the links are clickable.

 

 

Dayview Textiles

 

 

 

Malanda Quilting and Sewing Supplies

 

 

 

Horn Australia

 

 

Walters Imports ph 07 3277 0799

 

 

 

Australian Machine Quilting Festival

 

Westalee Rulers

 

 

 

 

Threads and Tangles

 

  

 

 

 Victorian Quilters Inc

 

 

 

 

 Kennard & Kennard

 

South Australian Quilters'Guild

 

 

 

Know How Sewing Essentials

 

  

 

 

Pinetree Cottage Quilting - A1 Quilting Machine Dealer

 

 

 

 

 

Creative DRAWings

 

 

 

 

Mallee Quilts

 

 

 

 

AMQA Quilt Show (held in conjunction with AMQF)

 

Congratulations also go to all the prize winners from the AMQA Quilt Show and well done to everyone who displayed their beautiful quilts. The quilts were all simply stunning and most worthy of the accolades they received during the time of this exhibition.  Best Of Show, won by Rachelle Denneny of Adelaide, was quilted with a DSM, believe it or not!! This is the second consecutive BOS win by Rachelle who is a most worthy recipient of this award. Well done, Rachelle!!  

 

 

Just a little piece of trivia for you all.  Of the 28 prize winning quilts, 10 were quilted on domestic machines and only 2 of the remaining quilts were quilted using computer-aided longarms. These are pretty good numbers & it’s so great to see that domestic machine quilters are so amazingly talented.  Well  done ladies!! 

 

Volunteers

 

The committee & AMQF would like to say a HUGE thank you to all the wonderful Volunteers for your willingness to help in every way during the time of Festival – teacher angels, on the front desk, checking tickets when going into the vendor mall, white glove duty in the quilt show area and helping out in any way possible.  

There were others who helped on Judging Day (held prior to festival), setting up the quilt show and taking everything down at the end of the show.  All of this hard work was most appreciated.  We just could not have done this without you. Thank you so very much for all your help and we hope you will be able to assist us again in 2014.

 

AMQA Gathering at Festival

 

Thank you to all those who attended the AMQA members gathering on Sunday evening.  Approximately 35 people attended & it was great to meet these members (& their partners who came) and put faces to names. Our President, Raylee, introduced the committee members & spoke of some of the services which this Association can offer to its’ members. We all enjoyed some beautifully presented nibbles and soft drinks with the opportunity to chat & relax.  Check out the AMQA Facebook page to see some more pic’s that were taken on the night.

 

 

 

 

 

Suggestion Box

 

We also had a suggestion box available during Festival & it was great to see this being used, with some wonderful ideas coming forth from members. These were discussed at the committee meeting last week with the following responses:

 

(i) To set up a Feedback form on website – this link can be done, queries will be sent to one of the committee, so members can keep in touch with us and send in ideas and questions. 

 

(ii) Automatic email notification of website updates – this was thought not to be a good idea. The website is being continually updated by our new Web Diva & this may result in member’s receiving quite a lot of these notices & creating more of a nuisance. After all, how many of us receive more than enough junk mail in our inbox already?   There is software available that you can install onto your computer that tells you when websites are updated.

 

(iii) Stronger links with Guilds to improve recognition of machine quilting – this is in process through communication with State Guilds. 

 

(iv) Plenty of notice prior to AMQA Challenge – it was thought there was enough advanced notice. Our next challenge is currently being planned in readiness for early next year, members will be advised very soon (hopefully before Christmas) of details for this.

 

(v)  Information on entering quilt shows, both local & overseas – this information is available on the AMQA website for all members to see for themselves. If you know of an upcoming show, let us know, via the feedback forms and we can post it on the website.  

 

(vi) Promotion of machine quilting by sponsoring categories in quilt shows – this is limited by our budget and something the committee has been discussing.

 

(vii) Having business logo’s attached to quilts on display at AMQA shows – If quilters’ want to have their logo attached to quilt when hanging, members can supply this. Not to be on quilt when judged, to be a limited size & laminated.  

(viii) Supply quilt shops with list of AMQA members in their area – this is up to the shop owners’, perhaps AMQA could approach wholesalers to send a list of AMQA members to shop owners.  This will need further discussion. 

 

Continuous Lines Newsletter 

 

Delivery

 

Please let us know if you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email or snail mail? 
We are all quite aware how easy it is to miss this newsletter when receiving by email, let alone have the time to read it through. Then again, physically posting it by snail mail into your letterbox is another alternative, however this comes at a cost & is also time consuming.

Our major corporate sponsor, Lorien Quilting, has offered to help with this cost & the task of sending it out, but we would like to gain your feedback & ask which you would prefer – Email or snail mail? 
Please go to the members list at AMQA_Members@yahoogroups.com.au  and let us know. 

Newsletter Editor

Communication with our members is very important to us.  Our new web Diva, Vanita Roychoudry, is the new Newsletter editor. 

Publication Date

 

We plan to send out a newsletter every second month, so you will receive the next one in December then alternate months from February 2013.  Deadline for contributions will be the 1st of the publication month and can be sent to editor@amqa.com.au

Newsletter Content

We have a few ideas that would make interesting topics, but we always need more suggestions to come from our members.  If you have a question or want to know how to do anything relating for your business or quilting in general, please let us know so we can build on this & keep everyone informed. Someone else may be wondering the very same thing & there is no such thing as a silly question!! So please, just ask us.  We are your committee & that’s what we are here for, to help you!
If you have any articles or pictures you would like published e.g. a report on your local quilt show, group retreats, new products, websites or You-Tube video clips you’ve found useful, please submit them to us for inclusion in the newsletter.

 

 

Other Committee News

 

Committee Position Vacant – Secretary.  At our meeting last week, it was with much regret that we accepted the resignation of our Secretary, Tonia Brooks. Tonia did a brilliant job with obtaining over $14,000 worth of sponsorship for the recent AMQA Quilt Show. Without her concerted efforts this would not have been possible, so we owe her a great deal of thanks for a job well done. This now leaves us with having to find someone to fill this position.  

 

Because this association was originally formed in Queensland & with the state laws of Incorporation, the Secretary must be a resident of this state or live within 65 kms of the Queensland border. If you have ever been interested in being more involved with the committee & would like to talk to one of us about this position, please feel free to contact Raylee by email at president@amqa.com.au  as we need to fill this position as soon as possible.

 

Members Challenge  

 

There was quite a lot of interest in the 2011 member’s challenge quilts on display during Festival in Adelaide. We are currently organising our next Member’s Challenge for early next year & are hoping to have details available by Christmas. It would be wonderful to have more entries for this challenge, let’s show others what we can do with our skills!! We plan to have details of the challenge in the December newsletter.

 

AMQA Name Badges

 

Did you know there are badges available for AMQA members? Those who were at Festival would have seen Committee members wearing theirs (as samples). If you would like one & you have yet to pay your membership fees (which are now overdue) when you complete the online membership form at  http://www.amqa.com.au/index.php/about-amqa/membership-application-form  fill in your details to have one ordered & it will be sent out to you. If you attended classes at AMQF, remember that you are eligible for a $30 rebate off your membership fees, see details on the membership renewal form.

 

AMQA Achievements 

 

From Karen Terrens

First Blush won Best of Show at Vic Quilters Show Case in Melbourne.  The quilt also won the Longarm category.

 

 

Upcoming Events

December 1 - Deadline for submissions for the next Newsletter.

Positions Vacant

 

Committee Members - we would love to invite members to join the committee. Your commitment is to be available for once a month voice linkup via SKYPE and help out on the committee. Please email the president, Raylee Bielenberg, for more information. 

 

Vice President - please email president@amqa.com.au

 

 

 

Secretary - please email president@amqa.com.au

 

 

Vice President

 

 

Publicity Officer - technically, this position is yet-to-be created. However, the committee is looking to create and fill this position in the coming months. Ideally a publicity officer will assist with all marketing and media related aspects of AMQA. If you like to talk to lots of different people and are not afraid to be ‘out there’ then please think about becoming the publicity officer for AMQA.

 

 

 

That’s all for this time, if you have anything you would like to contribute to the December newsletter please send it to our new editor by 1^st December.

 

Yours in Stitches

Val Towill

(on behalf of your AMQA Committee)

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Up Next Time…

We NEED more pictures - please share your triumphs and quilts that you are extra proud of - don't be shy. Email them to me please! editor@amqa.com.au

Submission Deadline is August 15, 2012, so do it NOW!

 

Your 2013-13 Committee and Contact Details

President: Raylee Bielenberg president@amqa.com.au
Vice President: POSITION VACANT vp@amqa.com.au
Secretary: POSITION VACANT secretary@amqa.com.au
Treasurer: Gayle Dayman, SA treasurer@amqa.com.au

Membership Secretary: Gayle Dayman, SA membership@amqa.com.au

Minute Secretary: Val Towill, SA minutes@amqa.com.au
Web Diva: Vanita Roychoudry, NSW webdiva@amqa.com.au

Editor: Vanita Roychoudry, NSW editor@amqa.com.au

Committee Members:

Julie Nixon, SA committee1@amqa.com.au

Val Towill, SA committee2@amqa.com.au

Vicki Jenkin, VIC committee4@amqa.com.au

Sharon French

Juliet Edwards

 

AMQF Liaison/General Committee Member

Tracey Browning, SA webdiva@amqa.com.au

 

We thank the following businesses for their support.

AMQA Corporate Members

Our Corporate Members are:-

Lorien Quilting

Lorien Quilting - Australian publisher of machine quilting patterns by local and international designers.
We carry block designs and motifs, pattern sets and a huge range of pantographs for all sizes of quilting machine. Our pattern clubs are a must for adding variety to your pattern stash while saving big bucks!
Visit our website for discounts www.lorienquilting.com
We would like to give a special thank you to Hermione of Lorien Quilting for allowing AMQA to use her design "Fantasia" on the background of the new AMQA website.

 

Geelong Sewing Centre

Avante Longarm sales and service. Sewing machine sales. http://www.geelongsewingcentre.com.au/

 

Call Bree Frost Phone: 03 5229 6302    Mobile: 0411 129 920

Newsletter No. 24

Continuous Lines

AMQA Newsletter No. 24

July 2012

 

 

Editor’s Message 

Hi Everyone,

In contrast to last month’s newsletter, this one is a quick read. Mostly reminders on upcoming events. The most important ones are the AMQA Show and the AMQA AGM.

Grab a quick cuppa and have a read. This information here is important for you!!!

Yes….YOU!

Not me. Well, it is, but I know it already...

Michele Turner editor@amqa.com.au

AMQA SHOW *** DEADLINE *** is July 31 2012

 

Which is NEXT Tuesday!!!!!!

 

If you haven’t entered yet (like me), then take some time this weekend to pull your quilt entries out, measure them, take some pictures and upload your entries directly onto the website. Here is the link

 

http://www.amqa.com.au/index.php/events/amqa-show-2012/amqas-2012-entry-form

 

You can enter online this year, make an electronic payment for entries  - at a discount for AMQA Members and save yourself a trip to the mailbox.

 

You can enter any quilt which you have quilted, whether it is yours or a client’s quilt (ask them first, of course). We have over $12 000, that’s right, twelve THOUSAND dollars worth of prizes to give away. 

 

All of the details are on the AMQA Website under the ‘EVENTS’ tab at the top of the page.

 

Of course, if you like to fill out the traditional paper form and take it to the mailbox that’s fine too. You can download it at this link here

 

http://www.amqa.com.au/images/AMQAS/AMQAS2012entryform.pdf

 

I for one, can’t wait to see all the quilts at the show. 

 

The AMQA Show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, listed below…

AMQA Show - Adelaide September 28 to October 1 2012

We thank the following sponsors for their contribution for prizes for the Quilt Show and ask that you visit their website or call them next time you are looking for products/services for your quilting business. If you are reading this newsletter on the Continuous Lines Blog, here http://continuouslines.blogspot.com.au/ the links are clickable.

 

 

Dayview Textiles

 

 

 

Malanda Quilting and Sewing Supplies

 

 

 

Horn Australia

 

 

Walters Imports ph 07 3277 0799

 

 

 

Australian Machine Quilting Festival

 

Westalee Rulers

 

 

 

 

Threads and Tangles

 

  

 

 

 Victorian Quilters Inc

 

 

 

 

 Kennard & Kennard

 

South Australian Quilters'Guild

 

 

 

Know How Sewing Essentials

 

  

 

 

Pinetree Cottage Quilting - A1 Quilting Machine Dealer

 

 

 

 

 

Creative DRAWings

 

 

 

 

Mallee Quilts

 

 

 

 

 

AGM

 

The AMQA AGM date has been set for 2012. It will be held on August 2, 2012. 

 

 

And here’s the important bit….we want to ‘see’ you there

 

ALL members are welcome to attend the AGM via Skype. To join in, you must have a free Skype http://www.skype.com/intl/en/home account and email Tonia secretary@amqa.com.au your Skype contact details/name so she can add you to the meeting.

 

 

Please be aware that new committee members are needed if AMQA is to move forward as an organisation. This organisation does not belong to the current committee, it belongs to the members. If you feel that you have a contribution to make, then please consider joining the committee. If you see a need for improvement and wish to take action, then consider which role on the committee that you would best be suited for and put your hand up for it!

 

You may note that the AGM is to be held BEFORE AMQA Show. Please do not think that if you join the committee then you will be expected to take over the reins for the AMQA Show the month before it is on. The AMQA committee has a Show Committee which is functioning alongside the AMQA Committee. The Show Committee will see that the show is run smoothly and will cooperate fully with the new committee members that come on board.

 

Proxy forms are available in the AMQA Member Yahoo Group files section or by emailing the Secretary, Tonia Brooks secretary@amqa.com.au .

 

 

Several members of the current AMQA Committee have been serving for a number of years now and are ready for a break. If AMQA does not fill a committee at the AGM then the future of AMQA will be in jeopardy.  You are implored to think about AMQA and what it means to you and how you can help. If you have been waiting in the wings or wanting to add your ideas then this is the time to put your hand up and go for it!!!

 

 

 

 

Now for a bit more essential, but not-quite-as-urgent information….

Volunteering at AMQA Show/AMQFestival

The organisers of AMQF have fortunately been able to allocate the Thursday September 27th as AMQA Show set up day. If you are able to volunteer some time to help set up, it would be very much appreciated. The bonus is that you are free to then attend the Ricky Tims Seminar on Friday September 28. 

 

Volunteers are always welcome to assist during the AMQA Show. To streamline volunteer co-ordination, AMQA’s Val Towill will be co-ordinating the entire volunteer contingent for AMQFestival AND AMQA Show. If you have time to spare, please contact Val at committee2@amqa.com.au or via the AMQF website. Here’s the direct link. http://www.amqfestival.com.au/index.php?option=com_rsform&Itemid=85 To show appreciation of the input of volunteers, there will be a prize basket and 2 hours volunteering = 1 entry to win a lovely prize. 

 

Thank you.

 

 

Upcoming Events

July 31, 2012 

CLOSING DATE FOR AMQA SHOW Enter Here http://www.amqa.com.au/index.php/events/amqa-show-2012/amqas-2012-entry-form

August 2, 2012

AMQA AGM - Keep checking your inbox and the yahoogroup for updates. Please consider joining the committee and contributing to AMQA.

August 15 2012

Deadline for submissions for the next Newsletter.

Positions Vacant

 

Committee Members - we would love to invite members to join the committee. Your commitment is to be available for once a month voice linkup via SKYPE and help out on the committee. Please email the secretary, Tonia Brooks, for more information. The next meeting is July 5 2012.

 

Publicity Officer - technically, this position is yet-to-be created. However, the committee is looking to create and fill this position in the coming months. Ideally a publicity officer will assist with all marketing and media related aspects of AMQA. If you like to talk to lots of different people and are not afraid to be ‘out there’ then please think about becoming the publicity officer for AMQA.

 

 

 

Coming Up Next Time…

We NEED more pictures - please share your triumphs and quilts that you are extra proud of - don't be shy. Email them to me please! editor@amqa.com.au

Submission Deadline is August 15, 2012, so do it NOW!

 

Your 2011-12 Committee and Contact Details

President: POSITION VACANT president@amqa.com.au
Vice President: (Acting President) Raylee Bielenberg, ACT vp@amqa.com.au
Secretary: Tonia Brooks, Qld secretary@amqa.com.au
Treasurer: Gayle Dayman, SA treasurer@amqa.com.au

Membership Secretary: Gayle Dayman, SA membership@amqa.com.au

Minute Secretary: Val Towill, SA minutes@amqa.com.au
Web Diva: POSITION VACANT webdiva@amqa.com.au

Editor: Michele Turner, NSW editor@amqa.com.au

Committee Members:

Julie Nixon, SA committee1@amqa.com.au

Val Towill, SA committee2@amqa.com.au

Vicki Jenkin, VIC committee4@amqa.com.au

 

AMQF Liaison/General Committee Member

Tracey Browning, SA webdiva@amqa.com.au

 

We thank the following businesses for their support.

AMQA Corporate Members

Our Corporate Members are:-

Lorien Quilting

Lorien Quilting - Australian publisher of machine quilting patterns by local and international designers.
We carry block designs and motifs, pattern sets and a huge range of pantographs for all sizes of quilting machine. Our pattern clubs are a must for adding variety to your pattern stash while saving big bucks!
Visit our website for discounts www.lorienquilting.com
We would like to give a special thank you to Hermione of Lorien Quilting for allowing AMQA to use her design "Fantasia" on the background of the new AMQA website.

 

Geelong Sewing Centre

Avante Longarm sales and service. Sewing machine sales. http://www.geelongsewingcentre.com.au/

 

Call Bree Frost Phone: 03 5229 6302    Mobile: 0411 129 920

Newsletter No.23

Continuous Lines

AMQA Newsletter No. 23

June 2012

 

 

Editor’s Message 

 

Hi Everyone,

Time to take a break and grab a cuppa. This is a long newsletter!

Firstly, we are sorry that Terry Elverd, who was taking leave of absence from her position as President, has officially resigned from her position on the committee. As we are very close to an AGM, Raylee Bielenberg is now acting president for AMQA. Terry has made a move to a new job and we wish her all the best in the future.

The committee is working very hard behind the scenes to prepare for the AMQA Show in September. Tonia Brooks is doing a fantastic job obtaining sponsors and we have over $12,000 in prizes to give away. There are still a few places where sponsorship is needed for the show. If you, or a quilt store that you know, are able to consider sponsoring a category on the quilt show, please email Tonia secretary@amqa.com.au as soon as possible. The category sponsorships are for a $100 for third, $200 for 2nd and $300 for first prize donation of cash or goods to that value. Sponsors will be advertised at the AMQA Show, in the AMQA newsletter and on the AMQA website, amongst other benefits. Please contact Tonia for more information.

The committee is becoming very excited about the show. We have arranged for a third judge, Nola Pierce to join the judging team. Nola is an experienced quilter from Adelaide who is a past-President of the SA Quilt Guild and a past member of the guild’s judging panel and Nola is currently on the guild valuation panel, and has been since 1992. Nola will bring a wealth of experience to the judging panel for AMQAS 2012. We are fortunate indeed.

AMQA is having an AGM in August. Please read on as more information is listed about the AGM further on in the newsletter. The AGM affects all members and everyone is asked to consider joining in the meeting. 

Finally, please take the time to look through the list of sponsors who have donated prizes for the AMQA Show. Without these sponsors backing AMQA and the membership, there would be no Show. Please show your appreciation by placing these sponsors high on your list when you need to purchase products or services which they offer. 

 

Michele Turner editor@amqa.com.au

 

President’s Message 

(Acting) President’s Report

 

Dear AMQA Inc. Members, 

 

Well the time is creeping up on us when we need to have our entry forms in for the AMQA Inc. Quilt Show later this year.  Entries must be postmarked 31^st July 2012 if you are posting them or thanks to the hard work of our web diva you can easily submit your entry or entries online via the AMQA Inc. website.

 

There is an entry fee for the show and again this can easily be arranged via the internet. The AMQA Inc. bank details are on the entry form. Fees are $7.50 per quilt for AMQA Inc. members or $15.00 for other entrants.  Each quilt should have its own entry form. 

 

Your quilts can be up to 5 years old and can be entered into this year’ show providing they have not previously been entered into and AMQA Inc. quilt show.

 

As part of the electronic entry form there are places for you to upload photos of your quits as required, a full quilt photo and a close up, this is much easier than getting them printed for sending. If required for category classification further photos may be requested, who takes just one photo of their quilt anyway? 

 

The AMQA Inc. quilt show is open to all entrants and all machine types, long arm short arm and domestic. We just ask that your quilt be machine quilted. If you need assistance with categories you can indicate this on your entry form and an AMQA Inc. representative will contact you.

 

So have a look through your quilts or perhaps your customer’s quilts and see if you have any that just need to be shared with the rest of us.  I thoroughly enjoy seeing what others have made and just as importantly how other quilters have quilted a quilt.  It’s very inspiring.

Here’s a reminder of the categories for this year’s AMQA Inc. quilt show

 

Happy Quilting

Raylee Bielenberg 

Acting President AMQA

vp@amqa.com.au

 

 

 

AMQA Show - Adelaide September 28 to October 1 2012

We thank the following sponsors for their contribution for prizes for the Quilt Show and ask that you visit their website or call them next time you are looking for products/services for your quilting business. If you are reading this newsletter on the Continuous Lines Blog, here http://continuouslines.blogspot.com.au/ the logos are clickable to link to the sponsors website.

 

 

Dayview Textiles

 

 

 

Malanda Quilting and Sewing Supplies

 

 

 

Horn Australia

 

 

Walters Imports ph 07 3277 0799

 

 

 

Australian Machine Quilting Festival

 

Westalee Rulers

 

 

 

 

Threads and Tangles

 

  

 

 

 Victorian Quilters Inc

 

 

 

 

 Kennard & Kennard

 

South Australian Quilters'Guild

 

 

 

Know How Sewing Essentials

 

  

 

 

Pinetree Cottage Quilting - A1 Quilting Machine Dealer

 

 

 

 

 All entry categories and terms and conditions can be found at this web address - 

http://www.amqa.com.au/index.php/events/amqa-show-2012

Think about your favourite quilts that you have quilted in the last year or so. If they are your client quilts, it is OK to enter those with permission from your client. Perhaps you have your own quilt that you are particularly proud of. Please enter them and support the AMQA Show.

The judges for the AMQA Show are Nola Archer, Helen Godden and Kerrie-Ann Riles. Their profiles are listed on the AMQA website, the link is here http://www.amqa.com.au/index.php/events/amqa-show-2012/2012-judges 

 

Volunteering at AMQA Show/AMQFestival

The organisers of AMQF have fortunately been able to allocate the Thursday September 27th as AMQA Show set up day. If you are able to volunteer some time to help set up, it would be very much appreciated. The bonus is that you are free to then attend the Ricky Tims Seminar on Friday September 28. 

 

Volunteers are always welcome to assist during the AMQA Show. To streamline volunteer co-ordination, AMQA’s Val Towill will be co-ordinating the entire volunteer contingent for AMQFestival AND AMQA Show. If you have time to spare, please contact Val at committee2@amqa.com.au or via the AMQF website. Here’s the direct link. http://www.amqfestival.com.au/index.php?option=com_rsform&Itemid=85 To show appreciation of the input of volunteers, there will be a prize basket and 2 hours volunteering = 1 entry to win a lovely prize. 

 

Thank you.

 

AMQFestival NEWS

 

Registrations have been great so far, but we still have room for more students. We are working hard to get the word out to the general quilting community with flyers, magazine advertising, online promotion and personally visiting many groups with presentations on Festival. Future plans are local media, banners & radio.

 

To benefit all sponsors, vendors, teachers & participants we still need to do more to spread the word of the largest Machine Quilting Festival in the Southern Hemisphere being held in Adelaide in September 2012. To this end we are asking all our sponsors, vendors & members to assist by promoting Festival to your own network of customers/friends so that all are aware of the learning opportunities that are on offer. If you could use this link to our class catalogue in your own newsletters then that could go a long way to make this the best it can be.

http://www.amqfestival.com.au/images/stories/classes/AMQF2012ClassCatalogueweb.pdf

 

 

 

  

Tracey Browning
partner AMQ Festival

http://www.amqfestival.com.au

 

Welcome New Members

 

Welcome to our newest members

 

Regular Member 

 

Jane MONK - Purrfectly Quilted - Legana TAS

 

Corporate Member

 

Bree Frost - Geelong Sewing Centre - Geelong VIC. www.geelongsewingcentre.com.au

 

 

Product Review

This is an unsolicited review from one of our members. Thank you Val for sharing your experience with this product. If you have tried a new tool/pattern/etc lately that you simply must share, please email the editor@amqa.com.au with your review.

 

Red Snappers 

Like many other longarm quilters', I too had been suffering from pin pricks to my fingers while trying to attach fabrics & quilt tops to my leader cloths with those nasty thick pins, trying to avoid getting blood spots on my customer quilts & quite honestly, I'd had enough! 

 

I said to myself, "there must be something better than this available, surely". I had seen advertising for 'Red Snappers' in a US magazine, I had also heard about them from other longarm quilters' & seen a demonstration but didn't give them a lot of thought at the time. Just a couple of months ago I attended a workshop with Tracey Browning & she had some 'goodies' for sale with a set of these 'Red Snappers' amongst them, so on a whim, I purchased a set in the 12 foot size to suit my longarm machine. 

 

It was a couple of weeks before I had the chance to set them up onto my leader cloths. 

Full instructions were included & I also watched the video from Renae Haddadin's website (she designed them) so I felt that I understood how they worked.  I happen to have zippers with short leaders already set up on my rollers & they had a wide enough hem to accommodate the round rod that had to be inserted into this so that step was simple enough to do. There are enough clamps (long & short) included to attach any size quilt, with little 2" pieces that hold the fabric temporarily until you get the longer ones attached. 

 

Once I got past this step, loaded my first few quilts (the plastic clamps are a bit stiff initially) I found that I could load a quilt backing in just a few minutes AND what was even better, when I've finished my work I can remove the quilt in just seconds!! How wonderful!

I can now load my quilts in a fraction of the time it used to take. This has saved me not just my precious time, but also the sore fingers & the lost blood (plus bandaids) so I no longer have to be concerned about this. Yes, it took a little getting used to at first, using the base of my hand pushing onto the clamps, but I say that's small compensation for all the other advantages this loading system offers.  If you're tired of dealing with the pin pricks & all the time it takes to attach your quilts with those horrible pins to your longarm machine, take a look at this wonderful product. Money well spent I say!! (available from www.constantinequilts.com, look under longarm supplies or type into the search box, there is a link there to watch a video on how to install & use them).

 

I also purchased a pair of snap on side leaders to hold the outer edges of my backing fabrics, great product here too. These are clear plastic with an elastic cord which you attach the clamps onto that come from the frame of your machine. A bit stiff to work with initially but they soon loosen up, keeps the fabric nice & taught while you work on the borders of your quilt. Available in different sizes to suit the depth of the throat of your machine, I use 12" ones for my A1 which has an 18" throat & that works well for me. These are also available from the same website.
Let us know how you get along if you purchase these goodies, I know I'm not sorry I bought them.

 

Val Towill, 

Bluegum Quilting Services, Murray Bridge, Sth Australia

Achievements in Longarm Quilting

 

Time for me to brag about myself now. I quilted four award winning quilts at the NSW Quilters Guild Show 2012. My clients recieved the following awards:- 1st Place, 4th Place and a Judges Commendation in the Open Commercially Quilted Category. Also, I quilted the 1st Place quilt in the Open Group/Collaborative quilt. I am thrilled.

  

 

 Symbols of Japan - Quilt by Patty McGee - Quilted by Michele Turner of Pinetree Cottage Quilting

Enough about me, PLEASE let me know when you have done well - I can’t possibly stalk all of you members to see what you’ve been up to, YOU need to let ME know, so I can share your successes with other members.

Michele Turner

 

Behind the Scenes

 

AGM

The AMQA AGM date has been set for 2012. It will be held on August 2, 2012. 

 

Please be aware that new committee members are needed if AMQA is to move forward as an organisation. This organisation does not belong to the current committee, it belongs to the members. If you feel that you have a contribution to make, then please consider joining the committee. If you see a need for improvement and wish to take action, then consider which role on the committee that you would best be suited for and put your hand up for it!

 

You may note that the AGM is to be held BEFORE AMQA Show. Please do not think that if you join the committee then you will be expected to take over the reins for the AMQA Show the month before it is on. The AMQA committee has a Show Committee which is functioning alongside the AMQA Committee. The Show Committee will see that the show is run smoothly and will cooperate fully with the new committee members that come on board.

 

ALL members are welcome to attend the AGM via Skype. To join in, you must have a free Skype http://www.skype.com/intl/en/home account and email Tonia secretary@amqa.com.au your Skype contact details/name so she can add you to the meeting.

 

Several members of the current AMQA Committee have been serving for a number of years now and are ready for a break. If AMQA does not fill a committee at the AGM then the future of AMQA will be in jeopardy.  You are implored to think about AMQA and what it means to you and how you can help. If you have been waiting in the wings or wanting to add your ideas then this is the time to put your hand up and go for it!!!

 

 

 

 

Hint and Tips

Please share your hints and tips. Email them to editor@amqa.com.au

• Did you know that a light mist of water when rolling your backing onto the frame will help take care of wrinkles in the backing? Once you mist the wrinkles and roll up the backing, the wrinkles will disappear. 

 

Volunteering at AMQAS/AMQF

 

Here is a previously-published article by Sharon French of Morning Star Quilting, Avoca NSW. It is worth re-visiting as Sharon talks about her time as a volunteer and the benefits it has given her.

 

Volunteering at AMQAS/AMQF

by Sharon French

When I originally put up my hand for volunteering at AMQAS I had no idea how much fun I would have and what an opportunity this would be to learn and meet so many new people.

I came down to Adelaide on the Wednesday before the Festival opened with the intention of doing some shopping and heading up to Murray Bridge for a couple of days with my good friend Val Towill.  Val then put her hand up to be our wonderful volunteer coordinator and told me that we would be staying in Adelaide for Judging Day (Thursday) and set up day (Friday) before the Festival started.  I’d booked my flights so I was in!!  

Judging Day was a fantastic experience.  If you ever get an opportunity to work on a Judging Day, take up the chance.  It was incredible pulling all those beautiful quilts out of their calico bags – what a treat to see them all.  I spent time sorting and organising the quilts, helping with the set up for photos and also in the judging room itself.  This was the highlight of the day.  The two judges, Susan Campbell and Tina Whittaker were amazing and what a job they had.  They were both very willing to share with the volunteers what they were looking at and how they were making their decisions.  Although as quilters we ‘know’ what judges look for, to have this first hand experience was a huge bonus for me.

Set up day – well that was busy!  To see the whole Festival and Show go from an empty room to a full-blown exhibition and festival in just a few hours was wonderful.  Didn’t it look great - the quilts all hanging and looking beautiful. 

Other areas where volunteers worked were as classroom angels, vendor mall angels and white glove angels.  

As a classroom angel I got to sit in on a class with Kim Brunner on the Friday afternoon.  A classroom angel is basically the teachers assistants, marking off students names, taking money, passing out handouts, writing receipts, sorting out any problems which occur during the class (air con, equipment, lighting, etc).  There really wasn’t much to do, other than be there if the teacher needed you.  So I got to sit in on a great class, and for those of you in this class, you will remember what a great laugh we had teaching Kim which American slang terms NOT to use in our country.  Kim got an education in her own class!!

Vendor Mall Angels, just roam around the vendor mall and if the vendors need anything (toilet break, drinks, etc) it is our job to accommodate their needs.  This was a lovely opportunity to meet the vendors, have a chat, and help them out, where necessary.    They were all very grateful for the support and thought it was a great idea for a show.

We have all seen white glove ladies at our own State and local shows, so I don’t need to tell you what is required in this areas, except to say, you have to be careful how hard you slap sticky fingers as they get too near the quilts.  I wasn’t allowed to do this job!

“Angelling” was a great opportunity to actively participate in the Festival and AMQA Show.  It was also an opportunity to meet a lot more people than I would have just attending classes. 

I’d also like to say a huge thanks to all the angels who volunteered at the festival and show.  It really was a case of many hands make light work.  We had one angel, Belinda, who I’d like to say a special thanks to.  She got us out of trouble on several occasions when we were short of angels.  Thanks to everyone who volunteered.

 

 

Upcoming Events

July 31, 2012 

CLOSING DATE FOR AMQA SHOW Enter Here http://www.amqa.com.au/index.php/events/amqa-show-2012/amqas-2012-entry-form

August 2, 2012

AMQA AGM - Keep checking your inbox and the yahoogroup for updates. Please consider joining the committee and contributing to AMQA.

August 15 2012

Deadline for submissions for the next Newsletter.

Positions Vacant

 

Committee Members - we would love to invite members to join the committee. Your commitment is to be available for once a month voice linkup via SKYPE and help out on the committee. Please email the secretary, Tonia Brooks, for more information. The next meeting is July 5 2012.

 

Publicity Officer - technically, this position is yet-to-be created. However, the committee is looking to create and fill this position in the coming months. Ideally a publicity officer will assist with all marketing and media related aspects of AMQA. If you like to talk to lots of different people and are not afraid to be ‘out there’ then please think about becoming the publicity officer for AMQA.

 

 

 

Coming Up Next Time…

We NEED more pictures - please share your triumphs and quilts that you are extra proud of - don't be shy. Email them to me please! editor@amqa.com.au

Submission Deadline is August 15, 2012, so do it NOW!

Your 2011-12 Committee and Contact Details

President: POSITION VACANT president@amqa.com.au
Vice President: (Acting President) Raylee Bielenberg, ACT vp@amqa.com.au
Secretary: Tonia Brooks, Qld secretary@amqa.com.au
Treasurer: Gayle Dayman, SA treasurer@amqa.com.au

Membership Secretary: Gayle Dayman, SA membership@amqa.com.au

Minute Secretary: Val Towill, SA minutes@amqa.com.au
Web Diva: POSITION VACANT webdiva@amqa.com.au

Editor: Michele Turner, NSW editor@amqa.com.au

Committee Members:

Julie Nixon, SA committee1@amqa.com.au

Val Towill, SA committee2@amqa.com.au

Vicki Jenkin, VIC committee4@amqa.com.au

 

AMQF Liaison/General Committee Member

Tracey Browning, SA webdiva@amqa.com.au

 

AMQA Corporate Members

Our Corporate Members are:-

Lorien Quilting

Lorien Quilting - Australian publisher of machine quilting patterns by local and international designers.
We carry block designs and motifs, pattern sets and a huge range of pantographs for all sizes of quilting machine. Our pattern clubs are a must for adding variety to your pattern stash while saving big bucks!
Visit our website for discounts www.lorienquilting.com
We would like to give a special thank you to Hermione of Lorien Quilting for allowing AMQA to use her design "Fantasia" on the background of the new AMQA website.

 

Geelong Sewing Centre

Avante Longarm sales and service. Sewing machine sales. http://www.geelongsewingcentre.com.au/

 

Call Bree Frost Phone: 03 5229 6302    Mobile: 0411 129 920