Quilt No.488WHS - Wangaratta Historical Society

Wangaratta Historical Society
Owner: 
Wangaratta Historical Society
Location: 
VIC North East
Maker
Maker: 
Marianne Gibson
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Patterms
Patchwork, Pieced Random, Crazy, Typically Australian
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
9 large blocks of crazy patchwork in silks and velvets. The blocks are divided by strips of deep ruby coloured silk. There is a wide ruby border with peaks to which is attached cream lace. The backing is beige silk. The main blocks are outlined with feather stitch in gold thread and many individual patches are outlined in fancy stitches and have embroidered motifs some of which are Australian eg centre patch has Sturt's Desert Pea flowers, parrots, wattle. There are also English flowers, Japanese motifs, flags, domestic objects and Marianne's initials. Embroidery is in a variety of...
History: 

The quilt was made about 1891 in Wangaratta by Marianne Gibson (1837-1911). It remained in the family until it was presented to Miss Alma Gard and on Alma's retirement she presented it to the Wangaratta Historical Society. It is carefully stored and exhibited occasionally.

Story: 

"Marianne was born in Armagh, Ireland in 1837, and as a young woman she and her sister accompanied their uncle to Australia. They eventually made their way to Wangaratta Victoria where in 1864, Marianne married Alexander McCullen Gibson.
Mr. Gibson was to become a prominent business man in Wangaratta, establishing a handsome brick building in Reid St, which he operated as a general store and Wine Merchants. The ground floor of the building became the business premises and the first floor which included a pretty balcony became the home of the Gibson family.
Marianne's Obituary which was published in the "Wangaratta Chronicle" in 1911 stated that 'She attended her household in a truly motherly and womanly manner, rearing a family of 3 sons and two daughters.' Unfortunately her Obituary does not identify her daughters by their Christian names.
She also involved herself with women's organisations in the town, particularly the 'Wangaratta Women's Benevolent Society'.
Like many women of her generation she was an experienced needlewoman. The beautiful quilt, known in our society as the 'Gibson quilt' being an example of her considerable skill and pride in her work. This particular quilt was made in 1891."
[Joan Wood, Research Officer, Wangaratta Historical Society 28.10.1996]

Centre patch with Sturt's Desert Pea
Centre patch with Sturt's Desert Pea

Related Quilts:

Dorothy Taylor
Quilt No.154DT - Dorothy Taylor
Patchwork quilt made of hexagons in printed cottons, colours predominantly red, blue pink, brown and yellow. Handsewn. Attached to a white cotton backing. Cotton padding.
1829 x 1829mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
June Dean
Quilt No.85JD - June Dean
Pieced hexagons, English paper method. Large hexagons form the centre with a border of smaller hexagons. The fabrics are all cotton in a wide range of colours and patterns. There is no padding. The backing is cotton, large white floral design on dark blue. The hexagons are hand pieced and the edges machined.
2480 x 1420 mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
The Pioneer Women's Hut
Quilt No.627PWH - The Pioneer Women's Hut
Cotton quilt in pattern commonly known as "Double Wedding Ring'. Probably an American McCall's pattern. Hand stitched, florals, checks and plain pieces. The backing is pink cotton. Scalloped edge.
2300 x 1880mm
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block
National Gallery of Australia
Quilt No.972NGA - National Gallery of Australia
"This is a coverlet of pale blue cotton muslin, highly decorated with appliquéd pieced bands, figures, and embroidery. The edge of the quilt is finished with bands of yellow, white and green cotton attached with ladder stitch.
Down the centre field of the design and 4 poems embroidered in quite crude chain stitch. Each piece of prose is accompanied by an appliquéd illustration. For example a large clock accompanies a poem of time. 'While shepherds watch their flocks at night�.'is illustrated with a beautiful scene of the manger watched by an angel, cows and sheep. The appliqué and embroidery is executed crudely with large stitches in running and overcasting. The quilt is signed, 'M.J.H. aged 84 yrs.1924.' " [NGA] There is no padding or lining. 1640 x 1540mm
Embroidered and/or Appliqued, Motifs or Names, Pictorial, Wholecloth, Typically Australian
Art Gallery of South Australia
Quilt No.299ASA - Art Gallery of South Australia
Rectangular patchwork crazy quilt pieced in squares (3 across by 4 down), in silks and wool, with red sashing between blocks and red border, quilted. Colours are dark, with red and light blue. Embroidery includes double feather, rope, herringbone, satin, cross, sword edge, buttonhole and coral stitches, and French knots. Embroidered flowers include lily of the valley, rose, daisy, and sunflower, also butterflies. Backing is pieced in the frame style, with a large centre red square, within 10 frames or borders. Embroidered "In Most Loving Memory of My Darling 1883", "V.H.B." Hand sewn.
1900 x 1500mm
Patchwork, Pieced Random, Crazy
Margaret Hedges
Quilt No.676MH - 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
Patchwork, Crazy, Typically Australian, Motifs or Names