About the Australasian Quilt Convention

April 9 to 12, 2026, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

Under the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building dome quilters will discover the Expo, the AQC Quilt Show and Convention Classes, Workshops and Seminars. There’ll be an area commonly known as Auto Alley where you can test drive all the latest sewing machines – including long arm quilting machines.

THE EXPO

The AQC Expo is a quilter’s dream with dedicated quilting retailers from around Australia and overseas, gathered together to bring visitors the latest quilting supplies. There will be new product launches, the latest gadgets and tools, and exciting new fabrics and patterns.

As well as quilting, you’ll find ideas for textile art, clothing, small sewing projects, embroidery, handbags and soft furnishings. Anyone with a love of textiles, will adore AQC.

Free seminars, make & takes and demonstrations take place every day. Come for an hour or all four days – there’s so much to see. Here is a snapshot of what is happening at the expo to help you plan your visit.

THE QUILT SHOW

The AQC Quilt Show is an unparalleled collection of quilting excellence. Each quilt has been specially selected so you can see not only the best works from around Australia, but also the best from our convention tutors, international exhibitions and competitions.

THE CONVENTION CLASSES

Upstairs there is a convention with one-day, two-day and four-day classes taught by top international and Australian tutors. As well as classes, the Convention packages include entry to the expo every day, a gourmet lunch on all class days, morning tea, continuous tea and coffee all day, social events, lectures and the Gala Dinner – plus a pampering massage and a welcome sample bag.

EDUCATION

Wander around the show and you’ll see loads of demonstrations. Plus in the Expo, there’ll be:

Free Seminars on all day every day.
Make & Take mini-classes will be held each day as well.
Free Floortalks will take place in the Quilt Show.

SPECIAL GUESTS

International quilters and those from around Australia flock to AQC to shop, see the quilts and to network, to celebrate together and to inspire each other. You’ll get so many fresh ideas and meet the quilters behind the quilts. Come to AQC for a few hours or a few days and indulge your passion for quilting.

ATTENDING AQC

Buy tickets at the door, or online, or go for the full AQC experience and book yourself in as a convention delegate. Four-day Gold Passes and Two-day Passes are available and include all aspects of the event. Full day classes are only available to convention delegates in their package. If you are coming just for the day, there will be free seminars and make and take workshops to attend – these will be announced in the months before the event.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Come to the Welcome Cocktail Party to get the party started and hear the announcement of the winners of the AQC Challenge.

The highlight of the quilting year is the AQC Gala Dinner. Come along and enjoy excellent food and wine, be entertained, and be there when the Expertise Events’ Rajah Award, Lut-Da and Shining Light winners are announced.

LECTURES

Attend lectures by international guest speakers. Buy tickets at the Help Desk located in the foyer of the Royal Exhibition Building or book online now at the menu item ‘Social Events & Lectures’ from the menu.

GOLD PASS DELEGATE & TWO DAY PASS

If you want to really experience the full AQC, become a Gold Pass delegate or a Two-day Delegate (Thur-Fri or Sat-Sun) and attend classes for two or four days with leading international and Australian tutors – do it all with the pass that gives you VIP access to everything including lunch and morning tea each day, and even a massage.

ABOUT THE ORGANISERS

AQC is organised by Expertise Events and has been running since 2005. We have a long history of organising exhibitions and events in the hand-making space as well as several other industries. Our other brands include Craft & Quilt Fair which is Australia’s longest running consumer event.