My interest in sewing started as a young girl, stitching clothes for my dolls by hand. My mother was not a sewer but a fine knitter and I believe I followed in my aunts footsteps. 

My very first quilt was made when I lived in the Nurses home at the hospital during my general training. 

 I have been lucky in my life to have had two wonderful careers. My first love was midwifery and I was honoured to be included in life's most precious every day miracles. Each birth a special one! 

 I have tried almost every craft and over 30 years ago stumbled into quilting and here I have remained. An interest became an obsession which then became my career, including teaching and designing. 

 I would describe myself as a traditional quilter with a modern twist. I love scrappy quilts and the more fabrics I can use in a single project the happier I am. In my perfect world I would hand stitch everything but with today's busy lifestyle I do machine piece occasionally. 

I have owned quilt stores for 18 years and currently own amitie Textiles at 87 Beach Road Torquay Victoria Australia www.amitie.com.au 

The store offers an eclectic mix of fabrics including Japanese, Liberty of London, linens from Europe and a wide collection of patchwork fabrics. We offer wonderful service and classes and host both local and international tutors. 

 While living in the Middle East with my husband a few years ago I had 

time to spend expanding and developing my range of patterns under my own label. At this time I also started to design fabrics for Moda, one of the largest fabric companies in the USA and write my first book "Quilt Lovely" published by F&W Media. This in turn has lead to invitations from all over the world to exhibit my quilts and teach. 

My days are filled with sample making and pattern writing which is very exciting. To view these go to www. jenkingwelldesigns.com 

I pinch myself regularly!! To think a girl from a farm in rural Australia could be the featured artist at a quilt expo in the USA, the Netherlands or Norway. How lucky am I ???