The Committee
2025-2026
President
Margaret Parkinson
Being the 5th daughter of a family of 6 girls and one boy, new clothes were always something special. More often it was hand downs. So, I quickly learnt to sew from an early age. This continued when I married and started my own small family in the early 70’s for economy's sake. I had seen “pram covers” (baby quilts) in my sewing baby clothes books but they did not get much focus. Patchwork quilting did not really emerge for me until later in life (early 90’s) when my second husband encouraged me to find something new for myself apart from administrative/finance paid work in the Public Service and the occasional knitting project for family and friends. How many jumpers does one person really need. There was a new local group, Murray River Quilters, who were having a social day to promote, they were looking for more members. This group had some very experienced patchwork quilters who also did stitcheries, including some with a more contemporary aspect. The Lincraft store was also expanding into the new craft. Being exposed to the structure of Victorian Quilters (mid to late 90’s) has widened my experiences with all styles of quilt making, resulting in my commitment to the standards relating to exhibitions, quilt values, teaching and judging, gaining accreditation in all 3 areas over a period of 7 years. Most of my projects use a combination of both piecing and applique, at present having a focus on the Hawaiian designs on a smaller scale for ease of handling the bulk of material. I am enjoying this new look at an old tradition. Becoming a member of The Applique Guild of Australia has turned by head towards more applique influences. Different methods of getting a similar result is fascinating. Happy stitching.
Vice President & Social Media
Carol Hensley
I always used to tease my Mum about her little old lady crafts, but I’ve since learnt that time spent creating something useful and beautiful with one’s hands is enormously satisfying. I sew, knit, cross-stitch and most recently have started at patchwork and applique. I love the look and softness of hand quilting which is a skill I am currently trying to learn and get better at. I appreciate traditional quilts that are challenging to make and look visually striking. For me, the process of making a quilt is calming and uplifting well before the item is finished. So I’m drawn to long term projects which I’m in no hurry to finish but I am optimistic they will all be finished one day.
Secretary
Helen McCormack
Textiles and fabric have been a large part of my life. I learnt how to sew clothes for my Barbie doll at the age of 7 years old. My mother taught my sisters and me to knit and sew, whilst my Nana taught us how to crochet. All of these techniques are still a passion for me. Needlework at school did not hold much interest for me. However, a Secondary Art and Craft Teaching Degree saw me majoring in Garment Construction with a sub major in Textiles. I taught Art and Design for 30+ years to Secondary school students, finally retiring at the end of 2019. I was introduced to Patchwork in the late 1990’s. The first group I joined was called Barbs Girls and we met every Saturday in Mount Evelyn. My interests at the time lay in freehand machine embroidery, hand embroidery and Textile Art. The next group I joined was TAG. I didn’t do much Appliqué until I joined the Korumburra Chapter of TAG, but I was told it didn’t matter just come and sit and sew or knit or whatever. When I joined TAG the only Appliqué technique that I knew was using blanket stitch and Vliesofix. I feel like I have come a long way since the 1990’s with the help of the lovely ladies that I have met on my Appliqué journey. I still don’t know all the ranges of fabrics and designs, but I do know a lovely piece of fabric, fabric bundle, kit or pattern when I see them. I still make a lot of my own clothes, knit and crochet and of course try to get some quilts finished.
Treasurer & Chapter Coordinator
Maree Stobbart
My love of textiles and creating with needle and thread have been with me as early as I can remember. I started with embroidery and then sewing my own clothes and then moved into various other textile crafts. Quilting came in my late twenties, and I have gifted most of the machine pieced and hand quilted quilts I've made to family. Most of my quilts have been quilted by hand as I don’t enjoy machine quilting. I took a class in appliqué in 2001 finishing a 20-inch sampler which I framed. Since then I have made several appliqué quilts trying different techniques from machine quilting to hand quilting using buttonhole edging. I have recently finished my first hand appliqué and pieced quilt which took me three years to complete. I never have one project on the go and still enjoy needlework, but my favourite is hand appliqué and currently have two quilts in progress and a few more waiting to be started.
Website
Carmen Olson
My love of fabrics, cross stitch, appliqué, and craft in general began when I was in high school in the late 1970s. I made my first quilt in 1985, a traditional block quilt that I still treasure as part of my collection and another favourite is a slash quilt. Over the years I have created many quilts that have been gifted to others; one especially meaningful piece is the Girls Day Out quilt, completed in 2011, which remains with me and will one day be passed on to my granddaughter. I also enjoy making bags adorned with turned appliqué flowers. While I usually focus on one project at a time, I always have English Paper Piecing on the go. I love how quilting brings people together, and our lives are enriched through the connections we make when we gather to create.
Social Media
Nicole Fowler
I started sewing about 20 years ago. After moving from Rosebud to Korumburra, I found myself without a job, not knowing anyone, and feeling a little lost. A good friend from Rosebud introduced me to her sister, who owned a shop called ‘Country Blue’ in Leongatha. I began working for her casually, and my love for fabrics expanded to patchwork. My earlier career involved fabrics in Interior Design, but I had never sewn anything before, let alone patchwork! From there, I sought out Gippsbeary’s classes and sewing days, eagerly asking for more opportunities to learn about our craft. My daughter was quite unwell, so I sewed in waiting rooms, hospitals, and during appointments. I also sewed during my children’s sports events and classes. Sewing became my passion. The Appliqué Guild days in Korumburra are a highlight I look forward to every month.
Membership Secretary &
Chapter Coordinator
Eva Ferraiuolo
My love of needlework began when I was about 12, making tapestries for myself and my family. My mum also ran a women’s and children’s wear store that sold haberdashery, so sewing was part of everyday life. I remember coming home from school to find piles of dresses and trousers waiting to be altered. Because I had already done so much stitching, It was my job to help, carefully sewing hems so the thread would not show on the right side. Looking back, it still makes me laugh. From there, I moved on to knitting, crocheting, and cross stitch. Then I saw a Baltimore quilt and was completely captivated. In the late 1980s, I started my first beginner’s quilt. It is still not finished because I eventually realised that hand quilting is not really for me. I was taught the stab method, which was fine, but I think I became a little too ambitious and overdesigned my blocks. One day, I’m sure it will be completed. I absolutely love appliqué and quilt making. I could happily do it from dawn until dusk, although I would probably need a housemaid, chef, gardener, and personal assistant to make that possible! My preferred methods are pre-turned appliqué and blanket stitch appliqué, and I enjoy combining the two to add texture to a quilt. Needle-turn is not my strength, but that is the beauty of appliqué—there are so many techniques to explore, and the best one is the one that brings you joy. For me, appliqué is one of the best forms of wellbeing and contentment therapy there is. I hope it brings the same happiness to you all. Happy stitching forever.
Judi Geddes
My love of sewing came from my grandmother who was a milliner. I started sewing at age 10 making clothes for my barbie doll then continued sewing for myself and my children also wedding and formal dresses for family and friends. My quilting journey started after a trip to the USA in 1985 where I purchased my first book. Over the years I have made many quilts for family and friends also donating many to charity. I taught quilting and Applique for many years which I loved, sharing my craft gives me a lot of pleasure. I love making bags and small products, I have a passion for making doll quilts, but my real love is needle turn Applique, I always have a hexagon EPP project on the go as well. I start my day at 5 am in my sewing room getting a few hours sewing to start the day. I always enjoy getting together with likeminded sewers, sewing and sharing our craft.
Rosemary Kreun
They say as one door closes another one open. My love of all things quilting began as I lost a lot of my physical mobility and needed another interest to help me move on with my life. I had done as much knitting as I could handle and I talked my neighbour into taking me to her weekly quilting class at Pakenham and the rest as they say is history. Being unable to lift or carry anything I told my teacher I would be hand sewing my project and began a pattern from a magazine with an applique center with small hand pieced sampler blocks around it, and of course my first foray into hand quilting! Over the years I have taken many classes and attended many conventions and retreats, but my love of needle turned applique hasn’t wavered although I am addicted to hexagons of all sizes. My happiest times are attending ‘Sit and Sew’ days with my quilting friends enjoying each other’s company and encouragement.