Craft & Quilt Fair Returns To The ICC With Bumper Programme And Stunning Exhibits

The Craft & Quilt Fair Sydney is returning to the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Darling Harbour, showcasing the best Australian global craft and quilt artists and offering workshops from renowned crafting experts.

Running from Wednesday, July 3 to Saturday, July 6, this crafting hub features trailblazing textile artist, Danny Amazonas who is visiting from Taiwan to showcase his spectacular quilts, Debbie Hatumale-Uy who will be demonstrating how to personalise your own gifts and homewares with cutting machines, new direct to film and heat transfer vinyl equipment and singer, Kate Ceberano, who will be showcasing her beautiful quilts and signing copies of her memoir, titled Unsung (on Thursday, July 4).

Danny hails from Taiwan and employs a unique collage technique in his art that sets his work apart and captivates viewers with its vibrant and intricate designs. His process begins with selecting an array of fabrics, often in bold and contrasting colours, which he then meticulously cuts into small pieces. These fabric pieces, like mosaic tiles, are arranged and layered to create complex and visually stunning compositions.

Visitors to the event can learn a variety of crafting skills from other attending experts, including Paper flower making with Jo Neville, Kintsugi with Jun Morooka, crafting textile mats with Lynn Pavey, workshops with the Australian Calligraphy Society, and Kawandi hand quilting with Lorena Uriarte.

There’s even more to see on the floor – from demonstrations in Japanese patchwork and wallet making, jewellery making at Bead and Trimming, to digitising embroidery designs at Hatch. Free ScanNCut sessions will be run by Brother Australia where visitors can learn to create on this clever cutting machine using paper, fabric and rhinestones.

There are also ‘Make & Take’ classes where participants can join a hands-on session and try needle felting, create wool felt jewellery, sashiko stitch a brooch, learn folk embroidery basics, or learn how to design repeat patterns for fabric.

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 group (called Tree of Us + 1) finds working together provides encouragement, fun and friendship. This is their second exhibition together.

EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD NSW – Lost in Space

The Embroiderers’ Guild NSW challenged its members to imagine themselves in a spaceship on a magical mystery tour of the universe. See the fascinating creations in embroidery, on display for the first time, inspired by an imagined journey through outer space.

ONE RED THREAD is an annual stitch challenge conducted by Elizabeth Dubbelde of Berry NSW since 2012. This year the theme is I See Red. See it first at the fair!

VINTAGE WEDDING DRESSES – Angel Gowns stand

Lovely vintage wedding dresses will be on display at the Angel Gowns stand. For the last 10 years, Angel Gowns Australia members have been creating and donating burial gowns for babies who pass away before, during or shortly after birth, using materials, such as recycled wedding dresses. At the fair, find out how you can help this worthy non-profit group.

WEARING WOOL: Cavalcade of History & Fashion stand – ‘Follow the Thread’

This year Cavalcade of History and Fashion will follow the thread of wool through one hundred years of fashion. Find out when woollen items ceased to exist purely under people’s clothes and when they began to be worn as outer garments. When did woollen garments develop colour?

There will be a display of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing through the ages together with some of the machines and gadgets used to create these woollen wonders.

Additionally, there will be floor talks about some of these historical items at 11am and 2pm each day.

COMMEMORATIVE CAPE at the ATASDA stand

ATASDA (Australian Textile Arts & Surface Design Association) celebrates its 50 th birthday! See the magnificent Commemorative Cape, demonstrations, a quiz, a unique textile cake, workshop information and artwork examples. Talk to a member and see if you might like to join – feel how it is to have ‘ATASDA’ in your life!

Don’t miss the demos including botanical gelli plate printing demonstrations by Kay Murray at 11.30am on Wednesday and Saturday and string-making demonstrations by Fiona Hammond, at 1.30pm daily.

In addition to all these incredible craft displays, expert demonstrations and workshops, there will be a vast array of exhibitors selling craft supplies and a Makerspace with boutique market stalls selling finished handmade products.

Dates: Wednesday July 3 to Saturday July 6 (inclusive) – 10 am to 4 pm daily
Venue: Exhibition Centre, International Convention Centre (ICC), Darling Harbour
Website: https://craftfair.com.au/home/sydney/
Tickets can be bought online or on-site. Adults $24
Seniors and pensioners discounts are available.