Welcome Deborah Segaert as editor of Quilters Companion!
The latest issue of Quilters Companion to hit the news stand is the first issue produced by new editor Deborah Segaert, who we warmly welcome to lead Australia’s most popular quilting media brand and magazine.
Quilters Companion is one of the flagship titles in Universal Media Co’s (previously Universal Magazines) craft division and will celebrate 100 issues next year. With a reputation for being at the forefront of both design and technical innovation, each issue consistently presents Australia’s best artisans and projects to inspire quilters around Australia and the world.
Deborah joins Quilters Companion with extensive experience in not only quilting but also the publishing industry. She learnt to quilt from her mother, Lorrain Moran, who diligently taught her how to draft and piece, and she later worked in her mother’s fabric import and distribution company, Lorrain’s Patchwork Paradise, providing Deborah with a strong understanding of the craft business landscape. A love for publishing and a strong belief in Australian quilt makers (the late Noreen Dunn is one of her major quilting influencers) led Deborah to purchase and take over the magazine Down Under Quilts.
Down Under Quilts focused entirely on Australian talent and, as publisher, Deborah gave the artisans’ marvellous projects and achievements wider recognition. During this time, she also launched the Annual Excellence in Patchwork Awards, which recognised the best patchwork and quilting shops in Australia, as well as the additional titles Down Under Textiles and a machine embroidery publication Creative Expressions. Deborah loved every minute of her long-standing journey with Down Under Quilts but decided it was time to sell the title in 2012.
“Deborah is passionate about the quilting industry in ways that will improve our Quilters Companion readers’ and advertisers’ experience with this leading media brand,” said Emma Perera, publisher of the Universal Media Co craft division. “We are thrilled to welcome her to lead the title, which is a strong voice in the quilting community, and see her vision come to life.”
“It’s great to be back at the helm of an incredibly strong, creative and influential quilting magazine and I’m excited to join at a time where print, social and digital platforms are combining to provide us with so many new opportunities to spread our content and message,” said Deborah. “I now live in the gorgeous beachside suburb of Avoca Beach and being able to work from home, close to my family and even closer to my own sewing room while I listen to the bell birds outside and compile the contents of Quilters Companion is certainly the definition of ‘living the dream’.”
About Universal Media Co
Previously Universal Magazines, Universal Media Co attracts more readers of niche magazines than any other publisher. Over the past 35 years, Universal Media Co has become the dominant magazine and media publisher in a number of lucrative key special-interest markets including home, outdoor, wellness, bikes, pets, craft and education. At the helm of our magazine brands sits editors and creatives passionate about their subject areas and markets, who are supported by teams that produce world-class quality content and journalism for our readers. Our brands and employees have won numerous accolades for magazine covers, branding, advertising campaigns, marketing campaigns, journalism, digital innovation and more.
For more information, please contact Emma Perera at eperera@umco.com.au