Win Tickets to the Craft and Quilt Fair

 The Craft & Quilt Fair is back and it's sew, sew good!
Hamilton Craft & Quilt Fair, September 1 – 4, 2016
Wellington Craft & Quilt Fair, September 8 - 10, 2016.
Start writing your list, because everyone’s favourite crafting event is coming to Hamilton’s Claudelands Events Centre from September 1 – 4 and Wellington’s Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua from September 8 - 10. With a variety of features and displays and a plethora of workshops to choose from, whether you are a beginner crafter or an old hand, there is something for everyone at the fair.
There will be a range of exhibitions on display at the show that are sure to spark some inspiration! Just one of the many features will be the quilt display ‘Our Wishes for the World’. Presented by Queensland artists, Stitched Together, the textile exhibition focuses on environmental concerns and offers solutions to these issues.
There will also be a special display of the 2016 AQC Challenge entries. This year quilters were asked for their interpretation of Tradition with a Twist. There are 34 finalists and a number of variations on the theme.
Other exhibition highlights will include: Inner Journeys by SAlt; the Paws & Whiskers display, in which quilters entered textile pet paw-traits to show off and celebrate their furry friends; the Medieval Project – a glorious display of 100 textile art pieces, hand-pieced and embellished; crowd favourite, The New Zealand Hoffman Challenge, will be displaying the travelling entries from this year’s competition.
Exclusive to Hamilton this year will be The Creative Fibre Experience, which will not only include live exhibitions such as fashion shows, but also demonstrations of fibre to finished product.
There will also be some very special features that are unique to the Wellington fair this year, including the Coastal Quilters display. Made up of a group of enthusiastic quilters from Plimmerton, the club has been running since 1988 and members are very active in running classes as well as making and donating quilts to children in refugee families that settle in the region. As part of the fair they will be running a challenge for members to create a small quilt on the theme of “Fair”. These quilts, with other larger quilts from members, will be displayed at the Wellington Craft & Quilt Fair and the challenge will be judged by the public who attend the event.
Excitingly Helen Marshall will also be exclusively at the Wellington show. Having celebrated a career of more than 25 years, this is a great opportunity to see the works of one of New Zealand’s most celebrated crafters.
There will be some great opportunities to pick up some extra tips and find out what’s new with your favourite craft, or explore a new one. There will be lots to see and do, including: knitting, embroidery, card making, quilting, fashion styling, applique, crochet, accessory and soft toy making and so much more.
If you’re heading along to pick up some expert tips then make sure to check out special guest artist, Kerrie Gurney from Brisbane Australia who will demonstrate how to create gorgeous greeting cards, and scrapbook layouts to preserve your special memories.
To continue the learning, add these daily demonstrations to your list; the Quilthouse Schoolhouse, where the ‘gurus’ share skills and tips for creating quick and easy quilts; Stampin Up! pop up class, teaching paper craft and card making; Creating with Cushla who will be hosting a sewing pop up class; and so much more.
Once you have picked up the tips to make your wildest crafting fantasies come to life, make those fantasies a reality, pick up all of the supplies you could ever need by swinging past the exhibitors’ stalls and speciality retailers from all over New Zealand and Australia.
The Craft & Quilt Fair is a must do, whether you want to take your crafting to the next level or pick up a new hobby. Head to www.craftevents.co.nz to start planning your visit.
Craft & Quilt Fair Hamilton
When: Thursday to Sunday, September 1– 4, 2016
Where: Claudelands Events Centre
Time: 10am – 4.30pm, Thursday to Sunday
Tickets: Adult $16, Senior Citizens $13,
Children (5–16 years) $10, under 5s free,
Family (2x Adults + 2x Children) $40,
Group/10+ tickets $13 each.
Craft & Quilt Fair Wellington
When: Thursday to Saturday, September 8– 10, 2016
Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
Time: 10am – 4.30pm, Thursday to Saturday
Tickets: Adult $15, Senior Citizens $12,
Children (5–16 years) $10, under 5s free,
Family (2x Adults + 2x Children) $38,
Group/10+ tickets $12 each.