By KATH GANNAWAY
THE Australasian Quilting Convention will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Melbourne this year, and quilting guru, Marilyn Barker, is flying the flag for the Yarra Valley.
Marilyn’s “little retirement project”, the Patchwork Teahouse in Warburton very quickly took on a life of its own and for the past 12 years has been a centre for quilters and a full-time job for Marilyn.
Marilyn said the convention, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, is one of few events that draws her away from the unique patchwork/cafe business.
“I have very little time away from the teahouse, however, I always make an exception for the AQC,” she said explaining that the attraction for her is that it is totally dedicated to quilting.
“It’s quilts and more quilts, which is obviously where my passion lies,” she said.
The show is also an opportunity for show off to the quilting world the extraordinary creative talent that is part of the everyday experience at Warburton.
Five of the Patchwork Teahouse’s favourite designers, Liz Stanway from Mount Evelyn, Libby Richardson from Kilsyth, Lisa Cantlay from Mooroolbark, Annmarie Campbell from Ringwood and Melissa Grant from Ferntree Gully, will be joining Marilyn at the show with new designs created especially for the exhibit.
Marilyn said one of the pleasures of the annual trip ‘down the line’ is the opportunity to meet face-to-face with her internet customers who come from interstate for the convention.
The AQC is at The Royal Exhibition Buildings from 10 to 13 April and Marilyn and her creative force of five Yarra Ranges designers will be sharing the experience with 90 other passionate exhibitors and 17 tutors from around the world.
Visit www.aqc.com.au for further details.
The AQC and The Mail have three double passes to give away to the 10th Anniversary convention. Visit the Mail facebook page to enter, or write to Mail AQC Giveaway, PO Box 470, Healesville. 3777. Entries close on Monday 7 April at 5pm.
