Australasian Quilt Convention - Melbourne

I spent most of the day at the Royal Exhibition Building  at the quilt show and checking out the various vendors from all over Australia, tempting us with their lovely fabrics, patterns and many new products.



The  Royal Exhibition Building is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is still used for exhibitions, cultural and community events.

The architect was Joseph Reed and his design was influenced by Rundbogenstil, a round-arched architectural style combining elements from Byzantine, Romanesque, Lombardic and Italian Renaissance buildings.

The dome’s design was influenced by Brunelleschi’s 15th-century cathedral in Florence.



The interior is equally spectacular with its meticulously restored opulent interior, expansive galleries and soaring dome.




There is a lot of history associated with this landmark. 
David Mitchell was the builder of the finest buildings in Melbourne including the Royal Exhibition Buildings, Scots Church and the Equitable Life Assurance offices on corner of Elizabeth & Collins Streets.
And in case this name is not immediately familiar, he was the father of Dame Nellie Melba GBE (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931), an Australian operatic soprano  who became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian era and the early 20th century. She was the first Australian to achieve international recognition as a classical musician.


The building is in the Carlton Gardens and it has three fountains.

And here another of the fountains...

Now, onto the quilts...

I did not take photos of all the quilts nor can I identify all the quilt makers (I apologise in advance) but I can say that each and everyone of the quilts displayed were of the highest quality regardless if the quilt maker was professional or not.

The show included a number of exclusive exhibitions, some were judged, some were awarded prizes and other quilts were produced by the tutors at the convention.

Balance by Robin Coombes

Too Easily Forgotten by Gillian Shearer

Reproduction beauties by Chris Jurd

Longbourne by Katrina Hadjmichael

 Pemberley by Katrina Hadjimichael

And this large quilt (Travelling Friendship Quilt) is a result of eight empty suitcases leaving Queensland in January 2011 for a one-year journey around Australia, returning full of completed blocks which were made into a friendship quilt. The quilt should prove to be an interesting snapshot of women's lives in 2011 and will eventually reside in the National Museum, Canberra.



The show is still on tomorrow so if you get a chance I would recommend a visit.

On my next blogpost I'm planning to show you something I completed and some of the shopping I did today...