i ues
Community, Excellence,
Learning, Sharing
(^1) The beginning
The coverline on the first issue in 2001 was Excellence in Patchwork &
Quilting and that principle remains the foundation of Quilters Companion 18
years later. It is imperative to provide technically correct project instructions
as well as bring you the best content possible.
The other principle we stand by is community! Patchwork is nothing if not
community-based, and within these pages we have consistently presented
opportunities for readers to feel part of a larger network of like-minded souls.
(^2) The editors
Karen Fail launched the first issue, and continued to be editor until issue 13.
Clare Mooney took over from issue 14 and led the team until she retired from
the role in 2016.
Michelle Marvig picked up the reigns from issue 85 through to issue 90 and our
current managing editor is Deborah Segaert, who came on board with issue 91.
(^3) Increase in frequency
In 2006, from issue 20, the magazine went from five issues a year — four
quarterly issues and a special, Great Australian Quilts — to six bimonthly
issues plus Great Australian Quilts.
(^4) Ten years of QC
In May 2011, issue 49 of Quilters Companion celebrated its 10th anniversary.
(^5) Regular features and columns
It was in issue 31 that Deborah Louie’s regular column, Domestic Machine
Quilting Advice, began. Deborah continued sharing her immense knowledge
over the following 59 issues, wrapping it up in 2018 in issue 90. That’s a lot of
advice — thanks Deb. We have also had regular features by Liuxin Newman,
Paula Storm and Megan Fisher.
(^6) Community
It was during 2011 that the extraordinary exhibition of 650 red and white quilts
titled Infinite Variety was staged by the American Museum of Folk Art in New
York. It was a tremendous installation, and being able to share such an amazing
community event in the pages of QC was exciting.
At the same museum, War and Pieced, an exhibition of quilts from the
Crimean and Napoleonic wartime periods, was held in 2017 to an outpouring
of interest among some of America’s most impressive media outlets, including
The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar and The
Magazine Antiques. QC secured an exclusive review of the quilts and was
honoured to share them with our readers.
“I love that patchwork can
take me miles away, and
yet I can still be at home.
It makes my heart sing.”
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