Quilt No.252HS - Helen Sparkman

Helen Sparkman
Owner: 
Helen Sparkman
Location: 
SA Adelaide
Maker
Maker: 
Clara Pitt
Made in
AUSTRALIA SA
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
Patchwork quilt made of Suffolk Puffs mainly in cottons. It has a light green wholecloth backing.
2100 x 950mm
History: 

This quilt was made by Clara Pitt, daughter of Matilda Pitt, probably during the 1950s. It has always been in the family and Clara was the great aunt of the present owner, Helen Sparkman. It is not used now.

Story: 

"Clara May Pitt 1892-1985 (Daughter of Matilda Pitt)
Clara made many quilts mainly during the 1950s and 1960s, not out of need but because of her love of patchwork. Her quilts were mainly Hexagons and Suffolk Puffs. Clara was a single lady who had five neices and a nephew, and quite a number of great neices and nephews. As each quilt was completed it was presented to a family member. These family members now cherish her gifts, even though all have often smiled and queried her fabric selection, placement, neatness and her continual use of white thread over the years. Clara was over 80 years of age when she made her last quilt (Hexagons of course) for a private museum."
[Helen Sparkman Dec.2000]

Clara Pitt c.1960
Clara Pitt c.1960

Related Quilts:

National Trust of Australia (SA)
Randomly patched quilt in many different colours and fabrics. There are appliquéd shapes over many pieces including Suffolk Puffs, hearts, hexagons and other shapes. There is an embroidered inscription "A11 to S11 1829" which is thought to mean AN to SN 1829. There is no padding and the backing is white cotton.
2000 x 2200mm
Historical Society of Cockburn
Handmade quilt in off centre log cabin pattern. Pieces are floral furnishing and dress fabrics, in twenty blocks. There is no padding, and backing is of bright floral cotton. 1900 x 1500 mm.
Margery Creek
Medallion style all cotton quilt made in the USA. Hand pieced with centre panel of 'cheater' material pre printed in a patchwork design. Bordered with 'Nine Patch' and sashing. The backing is printed cotton and the padding is cotton. The quilt has yellow tufting or ties in wool.
1855 x 1525mm
Margaret Hedges
Crazy patchwork quilt with small patches in velvet, silk, brocade and cottons most with hand embroidery over the seams. There are many motifs such as flowers, butterflies, birds also dates, initials and names of local properties. It is padded with a thin soft material and the replacement backing (old) is satin. There is a wide rose coloured frill on all sides.
1680 x 1380mm
Julie Bos
Allover pattern in woollen dress materials in blue, grey, navy, black and pink. Hand stitched. The owner suggests it was made in the 1950s or earlier. It is not used.
910 x 1250mm
Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society
Quilt made of Suffolk Puffs or flattened circles, in different bright colours in cotton and silk. Large single bed size.