Quilting

Patterns, patchworks and projects

Newsy: Textile Art Festival coming in June

by

If you live or travel close enough, don’t miss the Textile Art Festival coming up soon in Queensland, Australia. A browse through the Festival Preview Magazine revealed several events that will appeal to art quilters.

State of the Art 2011
Art quilts of various themes feature in this exhibition which includes work by Margie Creek, Sue Dennis, Mel Forrest, Jan McPike, Linda Robertus and others, all members of Queensland Quilters Guild. All the quilts feature non-traditional techniques. See it first at the festival. Presented by Queensland Quilters Inc.
Art Quilt Challenge
Quilters from The Fabric Art Studio in Coffs Harbour are participating in a 12-month challenge. Themes explored are Midnight, Jewels, Love, Fences, Beginnings, Music and Self Portrait. See it at the Festival. Presented by Sandy Corry.
Julie Haddrick: Art Quilter
Enjoy this exhibition of Julie Haddrick’s quilts. Julie, of South Australia has won numerous awards and specialises in original stained glass and appliquéd wall quilts. Her work features hand-dyed and printed fabrics. Julie teaches art-oriented design techniques and will also conduct classes at the festival and demonstrate in the Artists at Work area.

Visit the official Textile Art Festival site for more information.

Next Quilting Pattern:

Comments

Have you read?

In the Garden Layer Cake – A Bloom-Filled Fabric Collection for Spring Sewing

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.