Barn Dance is my latest Block of the Month quilt and will be offered in nine monthly packages which include all fabrics, notes, pattern sheets and photographs for each section of this project through to completion of the quilt top.  

It is available exclusively through Fragrant Cottage, 134 Timor Street, Warrnambool Victoria Australia 3280.  Visit www.fragrantcottage.com.au or telephone 03 5562 0186 for further information and subscription details.  

This Block of the Month will be launched at the 2009 Australasian Quilt Convention at the Royal Melbourne Exhibition Building 26 February - 1 March 2009.  Fragrant Cottage can be located at this event at Stand 179.

Entirely hand stitched from start to finish (other than the fringing), this quilt was made in 1995 for the Quilters Guild of Great Britain International Quilt Challenge using the Makower Fabrics “Fife Quilt” reproduction fabrics. I spent many hours working on a design that would do justice to the beautiful fabrics in this collection.  My Magic Flying Carpet quilt won the Australian component of the competition and then was shortlisted and sent to the UK where it received a second prize in the International section.  Made in my early years as a quilter, it was my first venture into quilt design and many technical aspects would be approached differently now with the benefit of experience.  However, it remains a very special piece for me.  

Many years ago (at the turn of this century!) I started designing my own “Baltimore style” blocks depicting some of our local Australian and Victorian treasures such as our faunal emblem, the Leadbeaters Possum, our unique Lyrebird, the fountain outside our beautiful Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne and other icons.  After all this time, the quilt is still a work in progress with the borders yet to be completed - but this is a detail of one of the blocks featuring my version of the cornucopia - found in most Baltimore quilts. 

From four pastel pieced blocks which were pretty but needed some punch - to this delicious little affair to fling on the parlour table for afternoon tea!  This photograph shows the centre detail.  Visit the Bon Bon Shop to see the full quilt image.

My dear Aunt Harrie was a joy to visit and her capricious spirit and wonderful white hair which was groomed to perfection in a magnificent bun!  She loved her garden and this little quilt is made in memory of her. 

Nearly everyone asks me to include my photograph - so here it is!