A Fabric-ated Story | From The Story Bank

Artwork: Helen Stark, Helen Lyndon Goff Quilt 2019, mixed materials. 

It was a Wednesday, the 9th of August, in 1899. Downstairs in the bank, the Manager, Travers Goff, is passed a message that his wife, Margaret, has just given birth to their first child, in the residence above. They have been married for just 9 months when she arrives and they call her Helen Lyndon Goff. Ms Goff, later restyling herself as P.L. Travers for the literary worlds of London and Ireland would go on to create one of the most loved fictional nannies of all time – Mary Poppins.

In the very same room that the Mary Poppins author was born is a bed draped with an incredibly intricate quilt crafted by artisan Helen Stark. 

“Just like a picture book story, the more you look at the quilt, the more you will see,” Helen said. 

"This quilt tells the story of Helen Lydon Goff. Her love of birds, flora, kites, her rocking horse, family and a typewriter to tell her stories."

“Carrying on the tradition of quilt making from the past, I have used re-purposed material – an old handkerchief, antique lace and buttons, vintage embroidery and a bread roll doily. The book pages were crafted from an old petticoat and the crinoline crochet lady on the cover was made by my Nana Tremlin. 

“All the stitcheries on the quilt have been handmade by my friends who grew up and still live in Maryborough. Our handiwork and the treasures from the past together, tell the story of the storyteller.”

Discover the story for yourself and view the quilt at The Story Bank this summer.