Patchwork is basically, bits of fabric pieced together. A quilt consists of three layers – the quilt top, batting or wadding and the backing. Then there is the quilting, the stitching that joins the three layers. Country Fabrics and Quilters is a lot like the patchwork and quilting that it endeavours to promote. There are many pieces that form the larger creation, and a few different layers, not all obvious.

One of the brighter bits that make up the fabric of Country Fabrics and Quilters is Pauline Rogers. Like most proprietors of Patchwork and Quilting shops Pauline is an avid quilter.

Her life would have woven a much different pattern if she hadn’t accompanied some girlfriends to a quilting class years ago. Back than she didn’t really have time for hobbies and had never picked up a needle and thread. When she did find some free time she borrowed a friends sewing machine, purchased some fabrics and began dabbling in quilt making. She quite enjoyed this pastime she had happened upon and was pleasantly surprised when she was asked to tutor some local quilting classes.

When the Queensland Arts Council commissioned her as a teacher of quilting, patchwork and quilting went from hobby to career. Pauline spent a few years traveling around Queensland teaching on behalf of the Arts Council.

As she loved teaching workshops and didn’t want to stop, her husband Rob decided to join her on the road. Quilters know that a quilt top, no matter how beautiful, is better with the addition of backing fabric. Rob became the backing fabric – providing Pauline with the support she needed while they spent 12 years crisscrossing the country, funded by a mobile “quilt shop” run from their caravan.

In 1996, they chose to settle down in Toowoomba, and there they established Country Fabrics and Quilters Store. From that time ten years ago, the shop has grown, much like a quilt that begins with the intention of being for a cot and ends up on a queen size bed.

Nowadays, Country Fabrics and Quilters is an award winning Patchwork and Quilting shop located in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia – but it is much more than just a store. Pauline wanted more than a shop that sold fabrics and quilting supplies; she wanted to create a community for quilters.

Pauline had begun this “patchwork project” as a tutor. It is the sharing and promoting of the art of patchwork and quilting that she loves. Country Fabrics and Quilters became a hub for a community of creativity. Along with patchwork and quilting classes and the shop, there were many events held to help promote the craft. The Quilter’s Outback Tour takes quilters from around the world to meet quilter’s throughout the outback, Quiltfest, sees a gathering of patchwork and quilting enthusiasts annually in Toowoomba to learn, create and inspire, the Quilter’s Trail which promotes co-operation amongst quilt shops, and Quilter’s Getaways and Gatherings featuring guest tutors and lecturers. With all this activity, Pauline still makes occasional trips to country Queensland to hold workshops and she has been an integral part in the creation of numerous community quilts.

Pauline also developed a national quilting challenge, “Margie’s Quilts of Hope” in 2004, to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Quilters around Australia were encouraged to make a block or mini quilt, which was than donated to MQH. The quilts raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, through raffles and auctions. So far, MQH has risen over $45,000 to assist in ensuring the future health and well being of women. In November 2005, Pauline accepted, on “behalf of all quilters who have participated in the challenge”, the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s “Pink Ribbon Award for Community Involvement”.

Now sewing a large size quilt is an undertaking that is always easier when other quilters lend a helping hand. Along the way, there have been many, but one in particular became an integral part – Bev McClune. Bev had made her first quilt top in a class under the tutelage of Pauline. It was also Pauline, who showed Bev some basic machine quilting. Mastering this skill she than began quilting other people’s quilts.

Like Pauline, Bev began teaching to help others learn the craft she loved. To share her knowledge, Bev became a tutor with the Patchwork and Quilting Academy. The academy is the educational section of Country Fabrics and Quilters, and provides a full educational program, teaching all levels of patchwork and quilting. Wanting to bring their love of patchwork and quilting to as many folks as possible, Pauline and Bev, along with tutors Kay Meale and Ruth Bloomfield, produced a series of patchwork and quilting tutorials on DVD’s.

Bev is much like the beautiful quilting stitches that she adds to quilts – there are quilts without it but it really can turn a quilt into something extra special. Bev joined Country Fabric and Quilters as partner in early 2006, sewing up the design that is CFAQ.

Not everyone realises what quilters know – that in between the backing and the quilt top is another layer – the batting. Country Fabrics and Quilters do have their batting – he isn’t always seen but does plump up the whole project. That would be Ritchie Hale the fourth partner, who isn’t a quilter but a business consultant.

So Country Fabrics and Quilters has the multifaceted Pauline Rogers on top, Robert who’s not always seen because he’s in back, Ritchie who is essentially the stuff underneath and Bev, who holds things together beautifully. And to top off this elaborate quilt are some embellishments that are more than just decorative, but enhance the whole creation – the staff who bring their creativity and skills to CFAQ ensuring you enjoy creating your quilts.

“The ladies and I had a lovely day and enjoyed the quilt show very much. It was well worth the trip as always. Purchased one of the DVD’s – Bev’s Trapunto. Might have to look at them for a Christmas present. Thanks again.”
Sylvia Bridge

“I purchased all the DVD’s and they were worth every cent! Often I can’t remember what the tutor said by the time I get home from a patchwork and quilting class. With the DVD’s they are there anytime I want to go over the workshop. Now that’s value for your money.”
Robbie Ryan, Toowoomba QLD

“I have received my DVD on Confetti. Thank you, it was worth the wait.”
Judy Hills

“Absolutely loved the challenge and techniques involved in the construction of this quilt. Shall be back next year!”
Helen Lough

“Excellent tutoring – lots of tips. Just the best days for learning about scrapping and colour values.”
Ina Chimes

“An enjoyable workshop. Very motivating. Inspires one to go on and do more. Can’t wait to apply these techniques to other projects.”
Narelle Hurse

“Dear Pauline & Staff of Country Fabrics and Quilters,
Thank you for your wonderful reception to our group. We obviously found your shop stocked with wonderful items, by the amount of parcels that left exited your store. Your talk was very informative and appreciated. Afternoon tea was splendid. You went to a ot of trouble to make us welcome. We certainly felt that way.
On behalf of the ‘Rosewood Craft and Quilters’ Thank you all.”
Eunice Austin, President

“We all really enjoyed our workshop with you, Pauline. Hope your trips can continue for a few years yet as it is really something to look forward to in our little community. I also enjoyed seeing all the new and exciting things you had to offer too. Wish we had a bigger piggy bank! I can’t wait to see my DVD on the Confetti patchwork. Anyway many thanks once again.”
Helen Meppem, Tamar QLD

“Thanks, parcel arrived very quickly!”
Jacqui Murray, St Lucia QLD

“I hadn’t done patchwork for many years but with Pauline’s excellent tuition I was able to complete (almost) my Lone Star project in a weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the weekend. Many thanks.”
Julienne Brimblecombe

“Hello Pauline,
Just to advise that the replacement material has arrived, thank you. It is nice to deal with a business that backs its sales with a customer satisfaction policy. Be assured that I remain a supportive and loyal shopper and look forward to a long and mutually satisfying customer relationship with Country Fabrics & Quilters.”
Maureen Goodall

“Dear Pauline,
You have a talent for inspiring people to believe they can create beauty from fabric – and then you go on to help them see that beauty to life. Thank you for doing that for so many. Keep up the wonderful work and one day I will be back to stitch another story.”
Georgie Somerset, Kingaroy QLD

“Fantastic shop and service – Exceptionally friendly and helpful – An absolute pleasure to shop in.”
Ailsa Ziebell, Pittsworth QLD

“Thank you for my patterns, they arrived this morning. They are every bit as good as I hoped them to be. The instructions and diagrams are excellent. I shall certainly be ordering more from you. I am already the envy of my quilting friends here. In fact they want to borrow them now. Thank you again.”
Kim Sharpley

Ruth Bloomfield has loved fabric ever since early childhood. She recalls playing with beautiful hair ribbons and cutting up bits of fabric to create décor for her dollhouse. As soon as her feet could reach the pedals of the sewing machine, she learned how to stitch.

Ruth’s first patchwork creation was a hexagon quilt. This was years ago, and it took her two and a half years to finish the project. Quite awhile went by before she again attempted patchwork. Although traditional quilt making really didn’t appeal, her desire to create with fabric was so intense, she continued on with the art of patchwork and quilting. In 1992, she created her first original picture quilt of the rainforest with a confetti forest floor. Ruth realised that she had found her niche.

Confetti patchwork is a unique fabric artwork devised by Ruth, which is like doing a painting with fabric. “The bits of fabric are used like a palette of paint” and allows for a soft blending of colour perfect for replicating nature’s beauty. Ruth’s confetti creations have a wonderful three-dimensional quality that interpret the lush surrounding of her home in Far North, Queensland -the rainforest and it’s creatures.

Having created such an original technique has led to stories about Ruth in Needlecraft Country Quilts and Patches and Down Under Quilts. In the last 15 years when Ruth hasn’t been creating her own masterpieces she has travelled around Queensland conducting workshops, sharing her wealth of knowledge and creativity. During this time she worked as a teacher’s aid, and even owned and ran a patchwork shop.

It isn’t surprising that Ruth has earned many awards for her art. In 2003, Ruth’s creation, “A Tale to Tell” was ‘Commended’ at the first Australian wide quilt show – the Homespun Australian Quilt Show. A pictorial quilt of her childhood homestead, “Koreelah” won acclaim in an American competition. Ruth’s quilt “Feeling Australia” won inclusion in the 2006 Down Under Quilts Calendar. And it isn’t just quilt fame – her “There’s a Pig in my Garden” quilt won the inaugural Pan Pacific Pigs in Art Competition in Canberra.

Ruth believes that fabric is “an ideal medium for creative people to express themselves”.

Her other works also incorporate an exciting use of fabric and originality. She is accomplished with silk ribbon embroidery, dying ribbons and fabrics, hand appliqué, free machine appliqué and machine embroidery, Her projects include miniature quilts, story telling aprons, cloth books, beaded handmade cloth pots, dolls and crazy patch quilts.

Pauline travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years, teaching the art of patchwork and quilting. She has been a featured tutor at the “Australasian Quilting Symposiums” and the “Stitches and Craft Shows”, and an integral part in the creation of numerous community quilts, several of which are in the Australian National Quilt Register.

She operates an award winning shop, Country Fabrics and Quilters, in Toowoomba, Queensland. The shop provides not only quilting supplies, but hosts many events geared towards quilters. The Patchwork & Quilting Academy, which provides a full educational program, evolved from the workshops and classes co-ordinated by Pauline through her shop.

In 2000, at the Queensland State Quilt Conference, Pauline received recognition for “outstanding services to the establishment and promotion of patchwork and quilting in Queensland”.

The dynamic Pauline developed a national quilting challenge, “Margie’s Quilts of Hope” in 2004. Quilters around Australia were encouraged to make a block or mini quilt to donate to MQH. The quilts are than raffled and auctioned, to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in support of research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer.

MQH has raised over $45 000 so far, to assist in ensuring the future health and well being of women all over the world. In November 2005, Pauline accepted, on “behalf of all quilters who have participated in the challenge”, the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s “Pink Ribbon Award for Community Involvement”.

As an enterprising business woman and devoted quilter Pauline Rogers has been responsible for inspiring hundreds of women, many children and even some men, to discover their creative ability through the art of patchwork and quilting.

Kay’s design experience and love of colour led her to making original quilts and writing patterns. She doesn’t have a preference for style, technique or colour – she enjoys them all. She does incorporate a “scrappy” look into many of her original designs, as this gives the opportunity to explore colour and visual texture; providing a certain amount of freedom to change your mind and develop the design.

What Kay really likes is to encourage quilters to begin the journey and see where the road takes them. She aims through design and teaching to give this experience to as many folks as possible by helping them to take the first steps in creating their own masterpiece.

When she is designing patterns and class programs, Kay keeps in mind all she has learned from the many first time quilters she has taught. Her workshops are ideal for those new to quilt making as they teach a variety of techniques that go together without too much fuss. The projects she designs for learners, never look like a “beginners quilts”. They give the impression of a project for an experienced patch worker, but are actually very simple to make. With her workshops and designs, you will sew creations you will be proud to display.

Since discovering quilting over ten years ago Bev McClune has become a professional machine quilter, a tutor of domestic machine quilting and a partner in a patchwork and quilting business – Country Fabrics and Quilters of Toowoomba, Queensland.

Bev won first prize at the 2006 NSW Quilters Guild Exhibition in Sydney, for her entry into the Domestic Machine Quilt category. The Sydney Quilt Show is the biggest quilt show in Australia, confirming Bev is one of the best in Australia at her craft. Bev’s passion and talent in domestic machine quilting makes her one of the most popular tutors in this field.

When Bev was first learning about patchwork and quilting, she found it slow and frustrating. It took her days to get one 12-inch block pieced together. No longer interested, Bev decided that quilt making was not for her. A friend encouraged her to give it another chance and showed Bev how to use the cutting board, ruler and rotary cutter. Bev went from disillusioned to addict. Being able to make nine 12-inch blocks in one day was much more satisfying!

Bev keeps the memory of her frustration close by when she is teaching. She loves to pass on the many skills she has learned, along with a lot of encouragement. Bev is dedicated to making the learning process as easy as possible, because she has not forgotten how intimidating and clumsy it felt trying to quilt for the first time.

Bev finds patchwork and quilting a wonderful respite from all the demands of every day. She loves the craft so much that she has challenged herself to – “learn how to sleep faster so that I can quilt longer”.

Since discovering quilting over ten years ago Bev McClune has become a professional machine quilter, a tutor of domestic machine quilting and a partner in a patchwork and quilting business – Country Fabrics and Quilters of Toowoomba, Queensland.

Bev won first prize at the 2006 NSW Quilters Guild Exhibition in Sydney, for her entry into the Domestic Machine Quilt category. The Sydney Quilt Show is the biggest quilt show in Australia, confirming Bev is one of the best in Australia at her craft. Bev’s passion and talent in domestic machine quilting makes her one of the most popular tutors in this field.

Kay Meale

As a former art teacher and artist, colour and design have always been a big part of her life but quilting has the added dimension of texture, making it her favourite. She says “her first quilt was like working on a very large canvas” – she swapped paints for fabric. Kay has been quilting for over seven years but never tires of the creative opportunities it presents.

Kay’s design experience and love of colour led her to making original quilts and writing patterns. She doesn’t have a preference for style, technique or colour – she enjoys them all. She does incorporate a “scrappy” look into many of her original designs, as this gives the opportunity to explore colour and visual texture; providing a certain amount of freedom to change your mind and develop the design.

Pauline Rogers

Pauline Rogers first exposure to patchwork and quilting occurred when she attended a class to help make up numbers. She has come along way from the insecure beginner, with a few needles and a pair of scissors, to a professional tutor whose quilting expertise covers the full range of techniques from appliqué to machine piecing and quilting.

Pauline travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years, teaching the art of patchwork and quilting. She has been a featured tutor at the “Australasian Quilting Symposiums” and the “Stitches and Craft Shows”, and an integral part in the creation of numerous community quilts, several of which are in the Australian National Quilt Register

Ruth Bloomfield

Ruth Bloomfield has loved fabric ever since early childhood. She recalls playing with beautiful hair ribbons and cutting up bits of fabric to create décor for her dollhouse. As soon as her feet could reach the pedals of the sewing machine, she learned how to stitch.

Ruth’s first patchwork creation was a hexagon quilt. This was years ago, and it took her two and a half years to finish the project. Quite awhile went by before she again attempted patchwork. Although traditional quilt making really didn’t appeal, her desire to create with fabric was so intense, she continued on with the art of patchwork and quilting. In 1992, she created her first original picture quilt of the rainforest with a confetti forest floor. Ruth realised that she had found her niche.

In Basic Trapunto, Bev McClune reveals her secrets to successful and uncomplicated trapunto in an enjoyable two hour DVD that will leave you with a quilt that will dazzle and amaze.

Trapunto, sometimes referred to as stuffed quilting or raised quilting, is a long-established quilting technique that can make a simple piece of white fabric come alive. The technique of Trapunto creates the glorious French Provencal wedding quilts – these whole cloth quilts are traditionally all white for the marriage bed.
Although not relegated to white only fabric, the texture created is the main feature in Trapunto … not the fabric.

Bev guides you through the fundamental techniques of simple trapunto, manipulating cloth with needle, thread and batting to add exquisite accents to your quilts. She demonstrates exactly how you can achieve a diamond grid with corded trapunto. Bev shares her expertise, in a manageable quilt-as-you-go project.

More than just the basics

From start to finish, the Basic Trapunto DVD workshop is loaded with beneficial tips. Discover how to:

– Set up your sewing machine for corded trapunto
– Which tools and products to use to make the job easier
– Mark your pattern
– Spray basting
– Meander quilting
– Join the individual strips to create your quilt
– Make cover strips
– Add a binding

Relax and enjoy

Bev encourages you to explore this wonderful technique. Discover how therapeutic the whirl of your sewing machine can be as you sculpt out designs on fabric.

It’s not that hard once you know how. Discover how – Buy the Basic Trapunto DVD. Also includes project pattern and written workshop instructions.

In Stained Glass, Kay Meale explains the technique of bias strip appliqué, used to reproduce the fabulous look of leadlight in fabric. The Stained Glass DVD workshop project incorporates a simple design using various sized shapes, which is easy enough for the beginner. The use of rich colour attains the brilliance of a stained glass window.

Learn all the basics

Kay gives details on:

– the proper marking technique so you don’t distort your pattern
– how to set down the colour base
– how to apply bias strip onto curves.
– making the best use of your product
– why you don’t need to worry if you make a mistake
– and more!

With this project, you experience the technique and establish a good working knowledge, so you can venture onto more complicated patterns.

Making your own bias strips – made simple

You don’t just learn how to apply bias strips in the Stained Glass workshop. You discover how you can make your own fusible web bias strips using any fabric you like. Pre-made bias strips come in black and many other colours, but for unlimited choice you can make your own. It’s really simple once you know how.

Quick and Versatile Technique

Kay shares with you how you can achieve a spectacular result with very little effort. As there is no overlapping of shapes … putting together the design is simple and fast.

And the designer in Kay can’t resist showing you just how versatile bias appliqué can be. If you don’t like bright colours, don’t worry, as this technique is extremely adaptable. The interlacing shapes of Celtic designs would be almost impossible without the bias strips.

Once you have knowledge of bias appliqué you can produce quick and easy gifts that will be sure to delight. Your family and friends will be amazed, thinking you spent ages creating their special gift. Even you will be amazed at what you can achieve with minimal effort.

Join Kay on this special journey and discover spectacular results.

It’s not that hard once you know how. Discover how – Buy the Stained Glass DVD. Also includes project pattern and written workshop instructions.

The Machine Quilting Journey DVD will take you into the amazing world of machine quilting. Guided by Bev McClune, blue ribbon winner of the Domestic Machine Quilting category at the Sydney 2006 Quilt Show, you will learn the skills necessary to prepare your quilt (and yourself) for domestic machine quilting.

How important is pinning your quilt sandwich?

Quilters are aware that the level of skill and experience that goes into the piecing and the quilting of a quilt, affects the outcome. What you might not realise is that the time and attention paid when putting together and pinning your quilt top, wadding and backing is just as valuable. Let Bev show you the proper way to get your quilt ready for quilting, so you will achieve a nicely finished quilt.

All the essential basics

Spend an hour and a half with Bev in the Machine Quilting Journey DVD workshop and learn what you need to know to become a confident machine quilter. Discover all about:

– The ideal tools of a domestic machine quilter
– Choosing your needles and threads
– Selecting your backing fabric and wadding
– The correct technique for pinning your quilt top
– Creating a practical notebook
– Starting and stopping of lines to eliminate unsightly layers of thread
– Feeding of fabric to avoid pleats when crossing lines of stitching

Practice makes for a perfect quilt

As an award winning machine quilter and quilting tutor, Bev knows that skill develops with experience. She takes you through some practice free motion quilting to demonstrate the fun and ease of doodling on fabric. Watch her work magic as she shows you how to execute some simple meander quilting with hearts and flowers, as well as the stipple quilting technique.

Bev encourages you to explore the wonderful world of machine quilting and find your creative talent

It’s not that hard once you know how. Discover how – Buy the Machine Quilting Journey (Beginners) DVD. Also includes helpful notes and requirements list to get you started.