Savouring South-east Queensland

Pl
w
an
w
w
fo .co tri yo
r mp p — u
r
m
fe o lete vi ne
at re cra sit x
t
ur tr ft.c
o
a
es v m
. el .a
u
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
Savouring
South-east Queensland
Map by Susan Cadzow
By Jeannette Vermeulen
W
Follow the needle and thread, button by button, as we make our way around south-east Queensland.
hen it comes to perfecting a laid-back lifestyle,
nobody does it better than the fine folks in south-east
Queensland. With sun, surf and excellent craft shops around the
region, it’s a great spot to kick off summer and set off on another On
The Road adventure.
The tour begins in the peaceful, picturesque seaside city of
Hervey Bay, home to Dewdrop Inn Patchwork & Craft. From there
it’s on to The Patchwork Angel in tranquil Forest Glen, a great spot
for birdwatching and taking in some beautiful scenery. We find The
Sewing Basket in Mooloolaba next, before heading on to Warana
and its two charming craft shops — Brian’s Fabrics & Accessories
and Kimz Sewing & Patchwork Centre.
The Moreton Bay region is our next port of call, where we visit
Country Beginnings in Bellmere before heading on to Clontarf,
home to the fabulous Northside Sewing Centre.
Continuing into the outskirts of Brisbane, we call in at Faeries in
My Garden in Shorncliffe, followed by a browse at QuiltEssentials
in Eatons Hill and the The Quilters Corner in Keperra. The next
stop is The Patchwork Tree, a delightful shop just 7km from the
Brisbane CBD. The charming Patches Indooroopilly is next on our
list and then it’s on to the dedicated teaching studio Urban Sewing
Lounge to brush up on our skills and learn some new techniques.
After calling in at the well-stocked The Quilters’ Store, The
Embroiderers’ Store in Salisbury, it’s time for a lazy sojourn along
the coast to Bayside StitchCraft in the vibrant coastal village of
Cleveland. We shimmy on down south to say hi to the lovely girls
at Thread & Ginger Patchwork Boutique in Victoria Point.
Heading further inland, Sewers Delight in Browns Plains is in our
sights next, followed by The Country Quilt Co in North Ipswich on
the Bremer River and Sew Creative in Gatton.
Next, our trip takes us just north of Toowoomba, situated on the
Great Dividing Range, to The Quilters Angel in Highfields. Millmerran
is the most western point of our tour and after exploring every inch
of Pattycake Patchwork, it’s time to head back towards the coast. We
stop in Warwick at Glenrose Patchwork before our tour finally comes
to an end on the Gold Coast at Patchwork Dreaming in Mudgeeraba.
112
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
W
Dewdrop Inn Patchwork & Craft
hen travelling to Hervey
Bay, the whale-watching
capital of Queensland, dropping by the
spectacular Dewdrop Inn Patchwork &
Craft is a must. The store is centrally
located just off the main esplanade in
the suburb of Torquay, so you’re sure to
have a whale of a time at this big, bright
and beautiful shop, which is celebrating
its 13th year in business.
You can get lost in this Aladdin’s
cave packed with inspiring samples
and 7000 bolts of fabulous fabrics from
all the leading manufacturers — it’s
a treasure trove of goodies! Dewdrop
Inn Patchwork & Craft also carries a
large range of dress fabrics, beads and
jewellery, wool and a beautiful range of
modern giftware.
The friendly staff — Amanda and
Linda — are experienced patchworkers
who are always ready with helpful
advice. Having sewing machine trouble?
Not a problem. Rodney has been trained
by Husqvarna
Viking to solve
such problems
and he has years
of experience in
the field.
If you’re in the
area, why not join
in one of the many
patchwork classes on
offer, for beginners
through to advanced
stitchers? If you can’t
make it to Hervey Bay, be
sure to at least explore
the Dewdrop Inn
Patchwork & Craft
online store.
Local knowledge:
There are many interesting tours and
cruises operating out of Hervey Bay, from
islands and shipwreck tours to scuba
diving and whale-watching cruises.
The Patchwork Angel
H
Address: 4–6 Bideford Street, Torquay,
Hervey Bay Qld 4655
Phone: (07) 4124 9320
Fax: (07) 4128 9866
Email: sales@dewdropinn.com.au
Website: www.dewdropinn.com.au
Forest Glen
oused in a former
church just off the
Bruce Highway, The Patchwork
Angel opened in March 1996.
Current owners Penny and David
Hornbuckle took over in June 2006
after Penny had worked for the
previous owner for many years.
The shop specialises in
patchwork and stitching supplies,
incorporating not only quilts
but also bags, soft toys, cushions
and clothing, such as some very
trendy aprons. Along with the
large range of current fabrics
available, there’s an astounding
range of patterns on offer from
both Australian and international
designers. “Our customers delight
in something new arriving all the
time,” Penny says.
Being in the church gives a
stately air to the shop and the
high ceiling means that there are
113
Hervey Bay
lots of lovely samples on display at all
times. The old church hall at the back
of the building makes a fabulous area
for display and classes. The Patchwork
Angel has a wide range of classes,
including machine quilting, basic
cutting, clever techniques and UFO
classes from in-house and guest tutors.
The shop also hosts exquisite morning
teas with guest speakers.
Local knowledge:
An hour north of Brisbane, Forest Glen
offers easy access to many Sunshine
Coast attractions such as Australia Zoo,
the Eumundi markets and Bellingham
Maze, to name just a few.
Address: 343 Mons Road,
Forest Glen Qld 4556
Phone: (07) 5477 0700
Email: info@patchworkangel.com.au
Website: www.patchworkangel.com.au
Blog: www.patchworkangel.typepad.com
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
K
The Sewing Basket
athryn Chapman has
owned this charming
store for little over a year now
and has loved every minute of
it. Living every crafter’s dream,
she snapped up the shop while
on holiday from Ballina. “I came
into the store, as all craft people
do,” Kathryn says. “One of the
staff told me the shop was up for
sale and that was it!”
With its friendly environment
and very helpful staff who always
have a smile ready, you’ll wish you
could do the same and stay forever when
you visit The Sewing Basket.
You’re greeted by the smell of tea and
coffee, as well as a beautiful arrangement
of quilts and Christmas craft, as you
enter the shop, all set to the sound of
laughter. There’s a fabulous range of
fabrics, threads and patterns to explore
and Kathryn’s lovely staff members
Robyn, Sonya, Marilyn and Rosalie are
Mooloolaba
always on-hand to give friendly advice.
The shop also carries a range of Janome,
Pfaff and Brother sewing machines.
The Sewing Basket has excellent class
options for all skill levels including
patchwork, free motion and hand
quilting, children’s how-to, hand
stitchery and sewing machine and
overlocker know-how. There are also
lessons in digitising for 4D/5D and PE8
(Brother). Digitizing Junior (Janome)
classes are starting soon as well.
Brian’s Fabrics & Accessories
T
his gem of a shop is a prime
example of not judging a
book by its cover. Tucked away in an
industrial area, it’s Warana’s best-kept
secret and any misgivings you might
have will disappear the minute you step
inside this cavernous fabric wonderland.
It’s no surprise that astounding variety
is what the shop is known for. There’s
a huge range of patchwork and fashion
fabrics on offer to suit every taste, all at
competitive prices.
The room housing the patchwork
fabrics will set your creativity into
overdrive — “Wow!” is usually the first
Local knowledge:
In warmer months, The Sewing Basket is
open one evening a month to make things
for charity. The last project was making
pillows for breast cancer ladies.
Address: 122 Brisbane Road,
Mooloolaba Qld 4557
Phone: (07) 5444 7466
Fax: (07) 5444 8969
Email: info@sewingbasket.com.au
Website: www.sewingbasket.com.au
Warana
Lisa Chandler’s
gorgeous Passage
to India fabric is
just one example
of the fabulous
quality and variety
you can expect at
Brian’s Fabrics &
Accessories.
thing people say when they step inside.
Japanese, Australiana, fusions, novelty
prints, black-and-whites, and fabrics in
all colours of the rainbow can be found.
With so much choice, you’re bound
to find the perfect fabric for your next
project lurking on the shelves.
Bargain hunters, listen up! As new
product arrives, other fabric will often
find itself on the discount table to make
room so you can nab some high-quality
fabric at significantly reduced prices.
What could be better?
There’s also a selection of threads
including Rasant Threads, batting,
114
backings and more — just about all the
accessories you could need. Sewing
groups often buy their batting in bulk
and the friendly staff are always happy
to point visitors in the direction of one
of these groups to join a sewing day
or class.
Local knowledge:
Warana is a coastal suburb 12km north
of Caloundra, where the Sunshine
Coast begins.
Address: 4/3 Dual Avenue,
Warana Qld 4575
Phone: (07) 5493 6826
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
T
Kimz Sewing & Patchwork Centre
his wonderful shop nestled
in the suburbs of serene
Caloundra is a stitcher’s haven. Kim
Turner first opened the doors just over
three years ago in the hopes of turning
her hobby into a full-time undertaking.
“I was a registered nurse for more than
20 years and have enjoyed sewing,
quilting and patchwork over this time as
stress relief,” Kim says.
With friendly service and a relaxed
class atmosphere, the shop is a pleasure
to behold. A colourful display of Kaffe
Fassett fabrics and quilts grab your
attention when you enter, while ladies
chatting away in the classroom provide
a cheerful soundtrack. All the teachers
are experienced stitchers and you can be
assured of the best-quality advice when
you drop by.
There is a stunning fabric selection,
including a range of Bali hand-dyed
fabrics and bright prints from Kaffe
Fassett, Amy Butler and many more
S
Sea Spray by Moon Shine Designs in Kaffe
Fassett fabrics. Patterns and kits available –
$250 SB (fabrics may differ).
designers. New stock is always arriving,
with something sure to inspire on every
visit. A longarm quilting machine is
available in a separate room for hire. The
shop also stocks Janome and Bernina
sewing machines and accessories, and
holds a variety of classes — just check in
store for all the details.
Country Beginnings
ituated in the gorgeous Morton Bay
area, Country Beginnings has been
owned by Jodie and Denise since 2008.
The pair took an existing business with
a focus on country fabrics and turned it
into the bright, fresh shop it is today.
Entering the shop is an aromatic
experience, with the intoxicating
Warana
Local knowledge:
An easy one-hour trip from Brisbane, the
Sunshine Coast’s beaches and relaxed
atmosphere make it well worth a visit.
Address: Unit 1, 5 Main Drive,
Warana Qld 4575
Phone: (07) 5493 4977
Fax: (07) 5493 4177
Email: kim@kimzsewing.com.au
Website: www.kimzsewing.com.au
Bellmere
fragrance of candles, sprays and
“smellies” immediately setting the
scene for a relaxing shopping
experience. In this calm atmosphere,
you are free to browse the variety of
fabrics on offer in bright, oriental and
shabby pastel colours.
Looking for that perfect gift for
someone special? A wide range of
gorgeous giftware for every occasion
is available. Other services such as
machine quilting, scissor sharpening
and sewing-machine repairs with
weekly turnaround are also offered.
Day and evening classes are held at
beginner to advanced levels, with a
quilt-and-chat class every Friday. Come
along and take advantage of that lovely
social aspect that sets patchwork and
quilting apart from other hobbies.
The shop is online as well, catering
for those who may not have a quilt shop
nearby, and there is a cheerful selection
of block of the month programs, patterns,
kits and giftware on offer.
Local knowledge:
Moreton Bay and surrounding islands
comprise one of the world’s best whalewatching areas.
Address: Shop 6, Bellmere Shopping
Centre, Bellmere Road, Bellmere
Qld 4510
Phone: (07) 5499 3233
Email: countrybeginnings@dodo.com.au
Website: www.countrybeginnings.com.au
115
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
T
his excellent shop in the
charming seaside area of
Clontarf is a family business that’s
been around since 1964. What
originally started as a sewing-machine
business expanded into stretch fabric
and classes before branching out into
patchwork fabric.
Current owner Jane Schmidt has
been part of the experience for the past
35 years. She is joined in the shop by
Cathy and they both have more than 25
years’ experience in the sewing-machine
industry, especially with Janome.
Northside Sewing Centre is wellknown for its excellent product selection
and the helpful staff. As you enter the
shop, you’ll find the machines displayed
on the left and the fabrics on the right.
Bargain hunters will be pleased to know
that this includes a large box of fabric on
special at only $8 per metre.
Jane and Cathy pride themselves on
offering an excellent choice of fabrics,
T
Clontarf
Northside Sewing Centre
including 40 different types of black-andwhites, Australiana, Christmas and more.
There’s something here to suit every taste.
Machine-embroidery classes are held
monthly and an overlocker workshop
is held regularly. There’s also a Janome
Club, which is a great opportunity to see
new products and get ideas. The shop
runs three retreats each year — a sewing
retreat in January, a machine-embroidery
retreat in May and a four-day sewing
retreat in August.
Faeries in My Garden
he owners of Faeries
in My Garden,
Lesley and Kevin McConnell,
say that as you walk up the
paved walkway to their store
you might just catch a glimpse
of a fairy or sprite hiding in
the surrounding gardens. With
such beautiful surroundings,
it’s easy to believe!
The real magic happens
inside this romantically
decorated shop. With the
French furniture, lacecurtained dressers piled high
with patterns and kits, walls lined with
quilts, bags and cushions, and rows of
sumptuous fabrics, you’re sure to
be enchanted.
The store stocks a beautiful range of
exclusive designs by Lesley, who was
one of the first designers to seriously
incorporate embroidery embellishment
in her piecing and appliqué projects.
Address: 12/9–11 Redcliff Gardens Drive,
Clontarf Qld 4019
Phone: (07) 3883 1825
Fax: (07) 3284 2423
Email: sherlockholmes2@optusnet.com
Website:
www.northsidesewingcentre.com
Shorncliffe
A kit for the Precious Memories Keepsake
Box is available for $89, plus $10 p&h, or
you can receive it as part of the *Gift of the
Month* Club for just $39, plus $5 p&h.
Also available is a wonderful range of
premium-quality Quiltgate fabrics and
gorgeous children’s and babies’ fabrics
and designs. The shop carries a large
range of captivating block of the month
116
Local knowledge:
“The Redcliff Waterfront is a lovely
place to stroll, see the pelicans and
enjoy the beauty around you,” Jane says.
programs designed by Lesley,
and many are not available
anywhere else.
Faeries in My Garden was
the first to introduce a Gift
of The Month club, where
members receive a new
surprise gift project every
month. This concept has
proven to be very popular,
with many members
continuing from last year
and many more set to renew
for 2012.
Local knowledge:
Shorncliffe is an historic area of
Brisbane featuring grand old homes,
parks and picnic areas fronting the bay.
Address: 70 Park Parade,
Shorncliffe Qld 4017
Phone: (07) 3869 0808
Email: lesley@faeriesinmygarden.com.au
Website: www.faeriesinmygarden.com.au
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
A
QuiltEssentials
crafter’s paradise on the
northside of Brisbane,
QuiltEssentials has been owned by
Claudia U’Prichard for the past eight
years. Claudia has always had a love for
creating beautiful things across various
crafts and enjoys nothing more than
sharing her passion with customers.
Vibrant colours and the classroom
buzz of happy crafters first greet you as
you enter, and regular QuiltEssentials
customers describe a visit to the store
as “like visiting a close friend”. Claudia
and her staff are friendly, caring and
extremely knowledgeable in all things
patchwork and quilting. Service is a
priority and they are always happy to
assist you with any questions or just
have a chat.
The shop carries a large range of
contemporary fabrics including Kaffe
Fassett, Valori Wells, Indigenous, Asian,
flannel, modern and classic fabrics. It’s
all about colour and you’re bound to
Eatons Hill
More Farmyard Frolics BOM by Millamac is
available for $32.95 per month. Contact the
shop for more details.
find just the right fabric to spice up your
latest project. QuiltEssentials believes
it’s important to support and encourage
local designers and, as a result, you will
find many exclusive patterns here from
homegrown talent.
Classes are available for beginners to
experienced quilters, check in store for
all the details. Registrations are now also
open for the charming new Millamac
block of the month (pictured). Featuring
lots of cute farmyard animals including
fluffy sheep, hatching chicks and a
row of cute ducks, it would make an
adorable addition to any home.
Local knowledge:
QuiltEssentials holds a charity day each
week making quilts for a local women’s
shelter. On arrival at the shelter, each
woman (and accompanying child) is
greeted with a beautiful quilt for them
to keep, enveloping them with the
knowledge that someone really cares.
Address: Shop 3, Eaton Central,
8 Bunya Park Drive, Eatons Hill
Qld 4037
Phone: (07) 3264 6444
Email: claudia@quiltessentials.com.au
Website: www.quiltessentials.com.au
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
A
The Quilters Corner
quaint little corner store in
Keperra, which once housed
a butcher and an antique store, is now
thriving as The Quilters Corner. As soon
as you enter this shop you’ll notice the
vibrant colours and displays of beautiful
quilts — it’s a feast for the eyes.
At The Quilters Corner there are
plenty of quality patchwork fabrics in
store, as well as patterns and books
from leading Australian and overseas
designers. Owner Liisa Dawson loves
her fabrics and says you just never know
what will take your fancy next. “It may
be funky retro prints, soft and pretty
florals, the new Moda range or even that
too-cute cat print we have to have!”
The Quilters Corner is continually
developing to meet customer needs and
interests by offering BOM and strip-club
programs, as well as a variety of classes.
“We like to offer new classes that
showcase new designs or techniques,”
says Liisa. “We cater from absolute
A
A kit for Love Birds by Kellie Wulfsohn is now
available. Contact the shop for details.
beginners onwards. The most recent
newsletter can also be viewed online at
our website.”
Local knowledge:
Keperra is approximately 9km northwest
of the city centre. “We are located
adjacent to the Grovely railway station
for easy access from the Brisbane CBD,”
Liisa says.
The Patchwork Tree
lison James and her husband
purchased The Patchwork Tree
seven years ago after returning from
living overseas. The shop has a proud
history as one of the first in Brisbane
and has now been established for 24
years in the century-old building.
Step inside and you will be greeted
with fabric as far as the eye can see.
Keperra
Address: 269 Blaker Road,
Keperra Qld 4054
Phone: (07) 3855 2222
Email: info@thequilterscorner.com.au
Website: www.thequilterscorner.com.au
Alderley
There’s an overall country feel, but
a variety of other styles are stocked
including batiks, novelty, children’s,
Japanese, Kaffe Fassett and a wonderful
year-round Christmas selection. There
are also lots of Moda fabrics including
all the pre-cuts: jelly rolls, charm packs
and layer cakes.
The Patchwork Tree loves supporting
local talent. Books from many Australian
designers are stocked including Hatched
& Patched, Red Brolly, Lynette Anderson
and Natalie Bird, to name a few. There’s
also a great selection of kits to
choose from.
Alison, Roxanne and Jenny work
together to provide excellent service and
the trio run a variety of classes ranging
from the beginner machine to lap and
large bed quilts, as well as smaller
projects that can be completed in one or
two classes, like bags. The Patchwork
Tree is open Monday to Saturday,
8.30am to 5pm.
Local knowledge:
Alderley is one of Brisbane’s older
suburbs. A landmark of the leafy area is
the heritage-listed Farrington House, a
graceful timber home built in 1882.
Address: 43 Denman Street,
Alderley Qld 4051
Phone: (07) 3356 3866
Fax: (07) 3856 2822
Email: alison@thepatchworktree.com.au
Website: www.thepatchworktree.com.au
The Love Home & Family BOM runs over
11 months at $35 month, including p&h.
Contact the shop for more details.
118
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
A
Patches Indooroopilly
s one of Australia’s largest and
oldest patchwork and quilting
shops, Patches Indooroopilly stocks
more than 4000 bolts of gorgeous fabrics
and a large range of quilting books and
supplies. The shop first opened as a
general arts and crafts shop in 1986 and
is located in air-conditioned premises on
Moggill Road, within walking distance
of Indooroopilly Shoppingtown and the
railway station.
In addition to rows of fabric lining the
walls and samples for classes, many of
the completed quilts and wallhangings
on display are available as kits. The
atmosphere is friendly and welcoming,
with experienced, helpful staff on hand
to assist with fabric selection. The
shop has an inspiring wall of colour
that makes it easy to select the perfect
coordinating fabric.
Patches Indooroopilly is a Bernina
dealer and offers a large range of classes
and clubs for all levels of patchwork,
P
From the designers at Kansas Troubles, this
easy-to-follow pattern is great for beginners.
The eye-catching quilt measures 50in x 66in
when finished. The pattern is available
for $12, plus p&h.
quilting, sewing, embroidery and
smocking. There are day, evening and
weekend times to suit customers.
Urban Sewing Lounge
lato said that knowledge is the
food for the soul, and when it
comes to patchwork, it’s easy to believe.
After all, isn’t it immensely satisfying
to master a new technique? Linda
Mahoney, the owner of Urban Sewing
Lounge, is here to help with that.
Linda taught beginners’ classes at
Thread & Ginger Patchwork Boutique
before opening her own teaching studio
Indooroopilly
Local knowledge:
Patches Indooroopilly holds a in-shop
Patchwork Extravaganza each year with
prizes for participants. For the month of
July customers are invited to participate
in 30-minute mini-sessions exploring all
aspects of patchwork and quilting.
Address: 273 Moggill Road,
Indooroopilly Qld 4068
Phone: (07) 3878 1228
Fax: (07) 3378 9177
Email: quilt@patches.com.au
Website: www.patches.com.au
East Brisbane
in March 2010. “I now teach regularly in
both locations and I still get enormous
pleasure out of what my students
achieve,” she says.
Situated in a lovely turn-of-thecentury Queenslander, the studio is a
little oasis of creativity close to the city
where customers can enjoy small classes
or personal tuition.
Linda offers a supportive environment
where students can work on any
project of their choice. She specialises
in teaching classes on how to sew for
absolute beginners of all ages — you
are never too old to learn. She also
offers after-school and school-holiday
classes for children over seven years old.
Other classes include basic patchwork,
quilting, fabric gifts, handbags, home
decor, soft toys and more.
There are a number of great sewing
machines available for use and the
class fee includes tuition and use of
any equipment. Accessories and basic
items, including patterns and books,
are available to purchase for a
reasonable price.
Local knowledge:
The studio is easily accessible by car or
bus and is within easy walking distance
of Woolloongabba Antique Centre.
Address: 5 Longlands Street,
East Brisbane Qld 4169
Phone: (07) 3391 6904
Email: linda.de@bigpond.net.au
Website:
www.urbansewinglounge.com.au
119
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
The Quilters’ Store, The Embroiderers’ Store
L
ocated in the leafy Brisbane
suburb of Salisbury, The Quilters’
Store, The Embroiderers’ Store combines
two shops in one to create the ultimate
shopping destination for any stitcher.
With a breathtaking collection of
quilting and embroidery supplies
displayed in a whopping 400sqm store,
you could very easily spend an entire
afternoon wandering through the rows of
beautiful threads and gorgeous fabrics.
The range consists of more than 10,000
bolts of fabric including wools, wool
felts, silks, coated fabrics, chenilles,
minkees and plushes, as well as a large
range of needlework fabrics, a huge
collection of embroidery fabrics and more
than 30 different brands of embroidery
thread including Presencia, DMC,
Thread Gatherer, Crescent Colours, Kirra,
Appleton, Anchor and Cosmo.
At The Quilters’ Store, The
Embroiderers’ Store you’ll find a great
selection of haberdashery, patterns,
M
books, magazines, accessories,
embellishments and trims. A variety
of quilting, patchwork and embroidery
classes are also held. With its warm
atmosphere and knowledgeable service,
a visit to this family-owned business is
simply a must.
Local knowledge:
Nature lovers, stop by Toohey’s Forest.
Only minutes away from Salisbury, it
has extensive walking tracks and more
than 400 different plants and animals.
Bayside StitchCraft
argaret and Michael
Vose have been
the proud owners of Bayside
StitchCraft since 2000. Margaret,
the in-store manager, has been
an enthusiastic quilter all her
life and has spent much of her
working life in the industry.
A dazzling shop of open space
and stunning displays, Bayside
StitchCraft provides a large variety
of goods and services including
more than 4000 bolts of 100 per
cent cotton patchwork fabrics. The
shop is an authorised dealer for four
major sewing and embroidery machine
brands: Janome, Husqvarna Viking,
Pfaff and Bernina. Embroidery
threads, haberdashery and quilting
and embroidery accessories are
also stocked.
Bayside StitchCraft’s experienced,
helpful staff consists of Selina, Maria,
Charlotte and Peter, the on-site
Salisbur y
Grab the complete set of This & That patterns
for $45, plus p&h. Also available as a pattern
of the month for $7.75, plus p&h, per month
for six months.
Address: Unit 4, 286 Evans Road,
Salisbury Qld 4107
Phone: (07) 3875 1700
Fax: (07) 3875 2911
Email: quilts@tqes.com.au
Website: www.tqes.com.au
Cleveland
Bayside StitchCraft staff from left to right:
Peter, Margaret, Selina, Maria and Charlotte.
sewing-machine master technician
qualified to service and repair all
stocked sewing-machine brands.
“Creative sewing is their passion
and they have an enormous
range of combined knowledge to
assist you with your own creative
sewing work,” Michael says of
the staff.
The shop offers a wide variety
of classes and clubs catering for
all interests and skill levels.
Local knowledge:
“Cleveland is a lovely spot,” Michael
says. “There are our museum, art
galleries, historic buildings and lovely
harbourside and restaurants to visit.”
Address: Shop 2, 140 Ross Court,
Cleveland Qld 4163
Phone: 1300 SEWING (1300 739 464)
Email: sew@baystitch.com.au
Website: www.baystitch.com.au
120
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
I
n 2003, Angela
Moore bought a small
sewing-machine shop
at Browns Plains and in
just a few short years, the
business was transformed
into an absolute paradise
for sewers, embroiderers
and quilters. Now in a
bigger premises and a new
location, the shop has
more room for all the great
products it has become so
well known for.
Sewers Delight stocks
Brother, Janome, Singer
and Husqvarna Viking
sewing machines and
Horn sewing cabinets. The
store also carries a great
range of fabrics including
Australiana, Aboriginal,
Balinese, Oriental and
children’s prints as well as
Sewers Delight
Browns Plains
blenders, fat-quarter packs, jelly rolls
and charm square packs. A great range of
embroidery threads, books, magazines,
patterns and haberdashery is also
available. Sewers Delight offers a variety
of classes in beginner and intermediate
quilting, software and computing,
dressmaking and specialty
quilting workshops.
Local knowledge:
Browns Plains is located just 15 minutes
from the Brisbane CBD. While you are
in Brisbane, make time to stop at the
city’s popular tourist spots, such as the
beaches, restaurants and picnic spots of
South Bank, the Mt Coot-tha lookout,
the Brisbane River and the Lone Pine
Koala Sanctuary.
McKenna Ryan’s gorgeous Chrissy Down Under is just one of
many designs you’ll find at this enchanting shop.
Address: 2/6 Webber Drive,
Browns Plains Qld 4118
Phone: (07) 3806 9600
Email: sewers@sewersdelight.com.au
Website: www.sewersdelight.com.au
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
A
The Country Quilt Co
diverse city,
rich in heritage
and culture, Ipswich is
home to The Country
Quilt Co, a charming
patchwork shop that’ll
make you feel welcome.
Suzanne Conroy first
opened the shop four
years ago, taking pride in
looking after the vibrant
and growing local craft
community. “I wanted to
work with people who
are creative and help
them create something
truly fabulous,”
Suzanne says.
Known for its friendly, knowledgeable
service, the shop boasts an excellent
range of fabric, patterns, books and
threads. There’s a great range of fantastic
quilt kits as well as inspiring block of
the months. Suzanne is always around
S
There’s always something
new to enchant you,
with stock and samples
changing regularly. If
you’re looking to get
your mojo back, you’ll
certainly find it here.
Local knowledge:
In light of the flooding
the region experienced
in early 2011, the shop
has done its part to
help raise funds and
continue to offer muchneeded support to
those affected.
to help with any questions or even just
for a chat. This, combined with the
polished-timber furnishings, gives the
shop such a warm, homely atmosphere
that you’ll want to stay all day!
A mix of classes is also offered, from
beginners to intermediate stitchers.
Sew Creative
ew Creative is a delightful store
run by three grandmothers who
are all passionate about patchwork.
Gail Chalker, Jennifer Harch and Janelle
Deite’s motto is “service like the good
old days” and, in their store, each
customer is greeted with a big smile and
a friendly welcome.
Nor th Ipswich
Gatton
Sew Creative specialises in appliqué
and stocks a great range of quilting
notions. It is best-known in the local
area for its wide range of reproduction
fabrics and its own range of patterns.
There’s also a fabulous selection of
Sue Garmin and Amy Bradley designs
on offer.
Gail travels to
America at least
once a year to
catch up on recent
trends, see the
latest patterns
and learn current
techniques, so
there’s always
something new
to discover at
Sew Creative.
Gail, Jennifer
and Janelle also
offer a wide
range of sewing
122
Address: 2 Pine Mountain Road,
North Ipswich Qld 4305
Phone: (07) 3294 7000
Email: suzanne@countryquiltco.com.au
Website: www.countryquiltco.com.au
groups and classes in everything from
hand appliqué through to machineembroidered quilts.
Sew Creative is pleased to announce
that from May 24–27 2012 an
international tutor will be joining the
Quilt School to teach lots of techniques
for hand appliqué. It promises to be
a fun event; contact the shop for
more information.
Local knowledge:
Sew Creative hosts a Community Quilts
group that supports the local community
by making quilts. They recently made
bags for the Christmas shoe-box appeal
and made bandanas for cancer patients.
Address: Shop 4, 35 North Street,
Gatton Qld 4343
Phone: (07) 4562 2401
Fax: (07) 4633 5910
Email: info@sewcreativegatton.com.au
Website: www.sewcreativegatton.com.au
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
I
The Quilters Angel
n September 2004, Marion
Marshall turned into reality her
long-term dream of opening a quilt
shop and creating a place where her
customers could come to escape, relax,
enjoy themselves and be inspired. The
Quilters Angel is certainly all these
things and more!
Approaching the entrance you can feel
a sense of excitement brewing as you
survey all the goodies on display on the
large covered verandah. Stepping inside,
you feel transported to another time as
dark polished-timber floors and high
ceilings provide an old-world backdrop
to this treasure trove of content.
Hundreds of bolts of fabric line the
walls while old-fashioned cabinets
house laces, braids and trimmings, with
racks of patterns and kits as well as an
array of haberdashery. Marion has made
sure there’s something for everyone
and every available gap is filled with
delightful giftware.
T
Marion hosts two annual events each
year: The Girls’ Stitch-In in March
and the Stitchers’ Dream Day Out
in September. Both events are held
in a beautifully decorated marquee
overlooking breathtaking views and
include new designers each year who
create brand-new projects for the event,
a wonderful gift bag, lunch and a kit to
begin hand stitching on the day. Visit
The Quilters Angel website for more
information on these events.
Pattycake Patchwork
his gorgeous shop in
Millmerran is something of
a labour of love for Steve and Jolanda
Webb. They have owned Pattycake
Patchwork for three years and have
recently re-opened after losing
everything in a devastating fire on
Easter Sunday.
Jolanda fell in love with patchwork
after her first class and worked parttime in Millmerran Haberdashery. “We
didn’t have to think twice to purchase
Highfields
Local knowledge:
The Village Green is a picturesque spot
overlooking the escarpment and is an
idyllic setting for The Quilters Angel
and other specialty shops.
Address: 10475 New England Highway,
Highfields Qld 4352
Phone: (07) 4630 8062
Email: info@quiltersangel.com.au
Website: www.quiltersangel.com.au
Blog: http://blog.quiltersangel.com.au
Millmerran
the business when it was offered to us,”
she says and so Pattycake Patchwork
was born.
The shop is large and airy while the
friendly country-style service gives it
a cheerful atmosphere. You’ll find a
huge variety of fabric styles to suit all
whimsical tastes with a good range of
fabulous backings to complement them.
The shop also carries the full range
of Magnum 8-ply and 4-ply Baby Soft
knitting yarn, as well as haberdashery,
Fiona Jude cross-stitch kits, ribbons,
laces and novelty buttons.
Classes for beginners to intermediate
quilters are held throughout the year,
including stack-n-slash, sampler quilts,
mystery quilts, as well as one-day bag,
runner and accessory classes. There’s
also a great fabric club with a $35
membership that entitles customers to
a 10 per cent discount on all patchwork
fabric, stitcheries, patterns and books.
Local knowledge:
Millmerran has plenty to offer tourists
throughout the year, including the Hot
Rod Run, sheep races, Chisholm Trail
and the biennial Camp Oven Festival.
Address: 6 Alfred Street,
Millmerran Qld 4357
Phone: (07) 4695 1566
Email:
pattycakepatchwork@bigpond.com
Website:
www.pattycakepatchwork.com.au
123
O N T H E R O A D – S outh - E ast Q ueensland
F
Glenrose Patchwork
or Glenis Pugliese, opening a
patchwork shop seemed like
the best way to conquer empty nest
syndrome. “My children had all left
home and I was very upset,” Glenis
says. “My husband suggested I open a
patchwork shop and work from home.”
She did just that six years ago and today
Glenrose Patchwork is still going strong.
The shop is part of Glenis’ home,
taking up the large extension at one
end of the building. As such it has a
very homely, welcoming feel and you
will always be greeted warmly when
you visit. There are lots of wonderful
samples and displays to peruse,
along with a large selection of fabrics,
patterns and patchwork haberdashery.
Glenis goes above and beyond to try to
accommodate everyone and there’s a
good range of products on offer to please
various tastes. It’s no surprise that many
of the shop’s regular customers have
dubbed it “patchwork heaven”.
P
Glenrose Patchwork hosts social “chat
and sew” days and different classes
are held throughout the year. Fabulous
quilting retreats are also offered with
guests staying in four-and-a-half-star
cottages and sewing in a large, bright
workroom fully set up for quilters.
Local knowledge:
For the past three years, Glenrose
Patchwork has held an “Airing of the
Quilts”, with profits going to breastcancer research. Last year’s event raised
Patchwork Dreaming
atchwork Dreaming has been
leading the way in all aspects
of patchwork and quilting on the Gold
Coast for more than 10 years. Calling
an old Queenslander in the historic and
quaint village of Mudgeeraba home, it
is the only quilt shop between Brisbane
and the border of New South Wales, so
if you’re heading south, take the chance
to stock up!
As you walk up the stairs, you are
greeted with a friendly smile. Quilts of
Warwick
over $9000. Along with gorgeous quilts,
there are four acres of beautiful awardwinning gardens to wander around, a
band, guest quilter and dancers.
Address: 138 Ogilvie Road,
Warwick Qld 4370
Phone: (07) 4661 7476
Email: glenispugliese@hotkey.net.au
Website: www.glenrosepatchwork.com
Mudgeeraba
all varieties cover the walls, soft music
plays and the aroma of freshly brewed
coffee lingers in the air, providing a
relaxing shopping experience. There’s
also a chaise longue for the men to relax
and enjoy a cuppa while the friendly
and experienced staff assist you with
your latest project.
The shop carries more than 3000
bolts of fabric in the latest designs and
colours, along with a comprehensive
range of haberdashery, threads,
patterns and kits. If it’s not in stock, the
staff will do their best to get it for you.
Workshops are held every day and
two nights per week. These consist
of beginners to experienced classes
for quilting and patchwork, machine
embroidery, dressmaking, hand
embroidery, bag making, knitting and so
much more.
Local knowledge:
Only 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise
by car, Patchwork Dreaming will provide
you with a sewing machine and all the
tools necessary so you can get away from
the crowds to do your favourite thing.
Address: 5 School Street,
Mudgeeraba Qld 4213
Phone: (07) 5559 2930
Fax: (07) 5559 2931
Email:
patchworkdreaming1@bigpond.com
Website:
www.patchworkdreaming.com.au
124