Quilters, crafters and lovers of handmade creativity have a special reason to celebrate this April, as the Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) returns to Melbourne for its 20th anniversary year!
From April 9-12, the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens will once again become a vibrant showcase of fabric, colour and craftsmanship, bringing together thousands of quilters, textile artists and craft enthusiasts from across Australia and around the world.
The four-day convention has grown into Australasia’s leading quilting event, and the 2026 celebration promises to be its most inspiring yet. Visitors can expect more than 560 quilts on display, ranging from traditional patchwork designs to bold contemporary textile art. Works from Australia will sit alongside quilts from countries including Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the US, Brazil and New Zealand.
At the heart of the convention is the much-loved Australian Quilt Show, an incredible exhibition that showcases the finest quilting talent from across the country. Quilts are judged by experts and awards are presented across multiple categories, celebrating both craftsmanship and creativity.
A celebration of quilting past and present
Alongside the main exhibition, visitors will discover a range of fascinating displays that explore both the history and the future of quilting. One highlight is a special exhibition of historic quilts from the Australian Red Cross collection, with pieces dating from World War I to the present day. These quilts were often created as fundraisers or to mark important milestones – and in some cases even carried secret messages in prisoner-of-war camps.
Meanwhile, modern textile art takes centre stage in international exhibitions including the Avant Garde International Contest finalists and the travelling QuiltCon 2026 exhibition, featuring cutting-edge works from the world’s largest modern quilting event in the US.
Another moving feature is the 100 Hearts Project, led by Victorian textile artist Ronda Hazell, which raises awareness of women’s heart health. Quilters around the world contribute heart-themed blocks that are stitched together into a travelling quilt sharing stories of women affected by heart disease.
Learn, create and connect
AQC is about far more than admiring beautiful quilts – it’s also a chance to learn new skills and connect with fellow makers. Visitors can take part in hands-on workshops, Make & Take sessions and free seminars, where experts share tips on techniques ranging from appliqué and embroidery to sashiko thread dyeing and English paper piecing. You can even create small projects such as pincushions, brooches and needle cases to take home!
Internationally renowned tutors will travel to Melbourne to share their knowledge, including Cecilia Koppmann (Argentina), Pat Pauly (USA), Miriam Post-Dam (Netherlands), Marina Landi (Brazil) and Leonie de Haas (Netherlands).
For those who love a bit of retail therapy, the convention also features around 60 exhibitors from Australia and overseas offering fabrics, sewing machines, tools, patterns and quilting supplies. Dedicated Sewing Rooms hosted by leading brands allow you to test the latest machines and try new techniques on the spot.
Four days of inspiration
To mark the event’s milestone anniversary, organisers have also planned a range of social gatherings including a Welcome Cocktail Party, evening lectures from international artists and a celebratory AQC Gala Dinner.
So! Whether you’re a passionate quilter, a lifelong crafter or simply curious about the art of patchwork, the Australasian Quilt Convention offers four colourful days of creativity, learning and community. Hope to see you there!
Event details
Australasian Quilt Convention
Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne
April 9-12, 2026
10am-4pm daily
Tickets and information: aqc.com.au/entry-tickets
Main image by Eric Stone
