Melbourne craftaholics to gather at Australia’s most popular craft and quilt event

Victorians will once again be treated to Australia’s most popular craft event, the Craft & Quilt Fair when it returns to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from June 26 – 29, 2014.

Sewing newbies, hipsters, artists, designers, families and textile-lovers will be inspired to thread their needles in new ways and experience craft as never before at the event renowned for its world class displays, non-stop classes and workshops, latest and greatest craft products, and inspirational and knowledgeable special guests.

Official ambassador, television personality and passionate crafter, Shelley Craft will join the fold of craft loving enthusiasts at the fourday event together with internationally acclaimed experts in showcasing and tutoring their respective crafts, including guest mosaic artist, Meredith Scott and the ‘Queen of Tea Cosies’, Loani Prior.

The fair will feature more than 300 quilts covering traditional, innovative and art quilt categories in all sizes from miniature to queen. A ‘Coming of Age’ challenge themed in honour of Victorian Quilters’ 21^st anniversary will be exhibited, alongside a display by Victoria-based Australian Quilters Association who have interpreted The Elizabeth Quilt, an antique now in the possession of the National Gallery. There will also be a selection of finalists’ entries from the AQC Challenge where artists were invited to create a quilt inspired by the theme ‘Ten’ – resulting in a diverse, personal and inspiring mix of works.

The Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair will also showcase a host of inspiring craft ideas, make and take classes and workshops, including unique fashion talks and presentations with a twist from leading vintage fashion expert, Chrissy Keepence of the Lindy Charm School for Girls. Miss Chrissy will present entertaining and timeless advice on how to transform and update any outfit using the ‘Make Do and Mend’ mindset from stylish women of the past.

Visitors will also have a special opportunity to stock up and be inspired by specialty retailers selected from all over Australia and their latest supplies including high-tech and coveted sewing and craft gadgets and tools, unique and exquisite trimmings, ribbons, fabrics and buttons and beautifully designed and easy-to-use craft and quilt kits.

The Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair is a great opportunity to see inspirational displays, meet experts, attend workshops and classes and see, try and buy the best in crafting supplies from card making, scrapbooking, knitting, embroidery to sewing, quilt making, mixed media, jewellery-making and more.

Adult tickets from $18 and a family pass from $42.

Fair admission tickets can be bought on the day or online. To book a ticket in advance and plan your day, please visit www.craftevents.com.au

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The other day I shared some cross stitch patterns with ornaments on them, so this time around I wanted to share cross stitch patterns that you can use as ornaments. It would be fun to do a whole tree in your craft room with cross stitch ornaments, or just add a few to your tree or give them as gifts.

These little quilt inspired cross stitch patterns from Flamingo Toes look like ornaments and fit in 3-inch hoops, which are perfect for hanging on the tree or using to decorate a gift. I love the pastel colors on these but you can use more traditional Christmas colors if you like.

This cute Christmas tree from Lagodargetoshop uses a single color and fits in a 4-inch hoop, but you could make it smaller if you wanted by trimming the last ornaments and gifts from the sides, or just stitch the tree without any other embellishments. Either way it’s a cute addition to your holiday tree.

Stitched Modern has a super cute collection of retro Christmas ornament cross stitch patterns from designer Gera. This is a printed pattern that will be shipped to you. Each pattern is about 40 by 56 stitches, or 2.9 by 4 inches/7.4 by 10 cm on 14 count fabric. To work the whole set you’ll need 20 colors of floss.

These snowflake ornaments from Our Little Handmade Home are each about 2.5 inches/6.4 cm when stitched on 14 count fabric, and they use a single color of floss. They are pretty in red but you could also do white on a blue or black background, or whatever suits your other Christmas tree decorations!

From the description it sounds like this set of vintage style cross stitch characters is presented as one large chart, but the photo from Sampler Antique Stitch shows each of them stitched up as their own little ornament, so it gets included here. You’ll find Santa and snowmen in different poses in this cute collection.

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