Meet The Team

Robyn Ahern – Editor  

Robyn has been the fearless leader of this merry band of patchwork tragics for almost two years and in that time she’s certainly stamped her mark on the mag! One of her responsibilities as editor of Patchwork & Stitching is deciding which of the beautiful projects appear in the magazine, and it’s not unusual to hear her “oohing and ahhing” over something that’s just arrived in the office. She also ensures that aspects such as the photography, design, instructions, advertising and stories look good and are ready on time.

Thanks to her many appearances in different magazines most people would probably know that Robyn has dabbled in a whole range of crafts – including folk art, doll making, patchwork and quilting. She also has a passion for collecting antiques and decorating her gorgeous home, which she shares with her husband Mark and two daughters Nikki and Marnie. And just like all good patchworkers, she has a serious case of compulsive fabric buying – something we’re sure she’ll never be cured of!

After a hectic week of putting Patchwork & Stitching together, Robyn loves nothing more than to relax on a Friday night with a glass of champagne. She’s also a sucker for Pride and Prejudice and can’t resist a good British comedy.

Elaine Rose – Senior Project Editor

Fastidious is not a dirty word for Elaine – in fact, her job requires her to be that way! As trusted senior project editor for Patchwork & Stitching, she’s responsible for ensuring that all the instructions, diagrams and patterns for our projects are correct and easy to understand. Elaine loves the challenges this very important role brings – even the maths involved! But she says one of the most rewarding parts of it all is sharing in the excitement when a first-time contributor sees their project in print.

Elaine has been a passionate sewer for as long as she cares to remember and made her first quilt over 25 years ago. She lives on a picturesque, five-acre property in the outer suburbs of Sydney with her husband Vic, and has two sons and one daughter – not to mention a lovely grand-daughter. At the moment Elaine is very busy helping arrange her son, Brendan’s wedding – there’s not long to go now!

Originally a country girl from South Australia, Elaine adores the bush, native birds and animals – especially her four Isa Brown chickens, who – we in the office must say – are fantastic layers. Anything pretty, like fabric and well-made dolls, is certainly a weakness for her – perhaps growing up in an isolated area with two brothers had something to do with that!

Renee Aiken – Editorial Assistant

Renee’s background in creative and technical writing is well and truly put to good use at Patchwork & Stitching –something she’s more than happy about. Although not a crafter herself, she’s completely in awe of the talents of those who are. This probably explains why she says the best part of her job is interviewing the amazing women who either contribute to the magazine or are members of the many groups across Australia and being able to share their stories with Patch & Stitch readers.Before joining the team, Renee was employed in a number of casual jobs to get her through uni, including receptionist, customer service officer and a deli assistant in a supermarket chain. Not surprisingly, she says she finds being surrounded by gorgeous crafts and working with extremely generous and creative women far more pleasant and inspiring than being surrounded by the smell of devon. Renee can never say no to cake, which is always in abundance at work due to the many birthdays celebrated, and confesses to pining for daytime TV ever since she started working full time.

N.B Devon is a mild sausage meat that’s sometimes known as polony, fritz, Byron sausage, empire or luncheon and Renee assures us it has an unpleasant smell that sticks to your hair, clothes and skin when you work around it all day!