Quilt No.357YHS - Yass & District Historical Society

Yass & District Historical Society
Owner: 
Yass & District Historical Society
Location: 
NSW South East
Maker
Maker: 
Sophia Mary Wilbow
Made in
AUSTRALIA NSW
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Patchwork quilt made from diamond patches in the 'Cotton Box' pattern, in a wide variety of cotton fabrics, including plains, checks, stripes and florals. The patches have blotting paper templates. The quilt is edged with diamond shapes in a red floral cotton. The backing is of the same red floral pattern, featuring yellow, turquoise and white flowers and leaves. Hand sewn.
2135 x 2033mm
History: 

Made c.1890-1900 by Mrs Sophia Mary Wilbow of Windsor (NSW). Owned by her daughter Mrs Louisa Best, then Jack and Grace Best. Owned by the Yass & District Historical Society (NSW).

Story: 

"Mrs Sophia Mary Wilbow of Windsor NSW. The mother of Mrs Louisa Best, wife of John Thomas Best of 'The Pines', Tangmangaroo [NSW]. They were parents of Jack (and Grace) Best and grandparents of John R. Best present owner of 'The Pines'. The quilt is all hand done & lined with blotting paper & made over 80 years ago & she made one for each of her daughters."
Donated by Mrs Best.
[From label with quilt in storage.]

Related Quilts:

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"This quilt follows the traditional hexagon patchwork pieced pattern, which are then joined and sometimes edged with a contrasting border. The edges of the quilt have been turned and then scalloped edges made of identical patches to the main body of the quilt have been attached to the edge. The quilt is fully lined, and the lining is visible front the front face through the gaps between the scalloped edge. The lining is attached to the patchwork with a row of stitches along the edges; there are no stitches in the centre field. The fabrics of the quilt are plain weave cotton in simple floral and geometric designs. Most of the fabrics are monochromatic. Several different colour ways of the same fabric are evident which could suggest some fabrics were from manufacturer samples. The lining is a William Morris print.
Each of the patchwork pieces (there are several thousand present) are sewn together with very fine overcasting stitches. The quilt is entirely hand sewn. There is some evidence that templates from the hexagon pieces possibly blotting paper, remain in situ���The quilt is not padded or quilted. The lining is fine twill weave cotton printed in pink and pale purple. The design follows William Morris's 'Strawberry Thief design'." [NGA] 2075 x 1911mm
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