The Committee
Executive 2023-2024
President - Mary Hitchens
My patchwork life began on May 15, 1988, with a sampler appliqué quilt done by the needle turn method. I had never heard about patchwork before this even though I had sewn and knitted, from a very early age. I very quickly found a love (obsession?) of all patchwork and quilting done by hand. Classes with my machine did not endear themselves to me at all. Nor I, to them. I love the peace and fulfilment that using my hands gives me. My patchwork consists of needleturn hand appliqué, reverse hand appliqué, back basting appliqué, hand piecing, piecing over papers and hand quilting. Most of my quilts are rather large and they take between 2 – 4 years to do. Having said that I don’t machine piece or quilt, it is amazing what you will do for grandchildren when needed!
I love to share my knowledge and learn from others, but above all the social element that binds patchworkers from all walks of life, and gives life to many people, is really what gives me the most pleasure. The people I meet, sew with, work with, and walk with, are those who have enriched my life. The two things I am most proud of in my patchwork life are my Mary Mackillop Quilt which is now resident in the Mary Mackillop Museum Art Collection and being awarded the Rajah Award in 2011.
Vice President / Chapter Coordinator - Sue Pascoe 
I began my patchwork journey in 1983. I made a very simple appliqué sampler quilt for my daughter. I did very basic quilting on it , however my daughter was pleased with it. Next I tackled 1 1/2 inch paper pieced hexagons and made 6 quilts and loved every stitch. Today 45 years later I still love making hexagons. Since joining TAG in 2012 I have enjoyed the friendship and sewing get togethers by being a TAG member.
Secretary - Margaret Parkinson
Treasurer / Membership Secretary - 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.
General Committee
Carolyn Miller
Like many of you, my patchwork journey started with Di Ford at Primarily Patchwork in Canterbury roughly 30 years ago. This was then followed by a long break due to work, post-grad study and house renovations. I managed to take it up again when my children were small and gradually increase my time and skills as they have grown. I’m still learning many things but have definitely improved my applique skills as well as developing a love of this skill. I am definitely a hand sewer by preference. My machine and I are only on vague talking terms. This is probably something that I need to work on over the next few years.
Helen Taylor
Taking an early retirement during the middle of the Covid outbreak in 2020, allowed me to throw myself into patchwork as I had much more time to enjoy it. I enjoy needle turn applique, and all forms of patchwork from hand piecing, English paper piecing, to applique. My stash includes fabric from many different designers, while most is reproduction fabric, I also love a good toile, Kaffe Fassett or Tilda (just to name drop a couple). At the moment I’m working on Susan Smiths Quiltmania block of the month. I feel spoilt for choice with so many wonderful Australian designers (like Max & Louise; Deborah Dorwood; Karen Styles and Deirdre Bond-Abel) - just to name a few. While I haven’t attempted a Dear Jane, or a classic Baltimore quilt they are both on my bucket list.
Nicole Fowler
Rosemary Kreun
Newsletter Editor -