Quilt No.701WR - Susan Shannon

Susan Shannon
Owner: 
Susan Shannon
Location: 
VIC Melbourne
Maker
Maker: 
Wendy Ritchie
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
This hand pieced and hand quilted hexagon quilt is in a pattern often called 'Grandmother's Flower Garden'. The background is white and there are concentric rows of double rosettes each with a yellow centre. The colours start in the centre of the quilt with pink and then follow the rainbow. Paper templates were used. The padding is cotton (American) and the backing is cotton floral poplin.
2360 x 1730mm
History: 

The quilt was made by Wendy Ritchie in 1966 in Melbourne for her daughter Susan Jane (now Shannon). Many of the cotton florals used were scraps left from dresses Wendy made for her daughters. Susan was born in 1961 and has always owned the quilt. It was on her bed from 1966 until 1978 when she left home and is not used now.

Story: 

"I (the maker of the quilt) embroidered from the first grade at school. Joined the Embroiderers Guild Vic in 1962. Served on the committee and was President from 1980-1983 inclusive. I have taught many techniques starting with English Patchwork in the late 1960s and including a variety of creative techniques in both design and painting/dyeing, machine embroidery and hand stitchery. I was born in Geelong in 1933."
[Wendy Ritchie Melbourne 9.10.00]

Quilt maker Wendy Ritchie 1960s
Quilt maker Wendy Ritchie 1960s
Susan Jane, for whom the quilt was made, 1964
Susan Jane, for whom the quilt was made, 1964

Related Quilts:

Wendy Springbett
Patchwork quilt made from alternate squares of light green and medium green cotton headcloth. The light green squares are hand embroidered with Australian native birds, the medium green squares are decorated with pulled thread designs. No padding. Backing and binding of medium green headcloth. Made from patterns published in The Adelaide Chronicle.
2650 x 1573mm
Narelle Grieve
Silk quilt in diamonds with hexagon border. "Toward the edge of the quilt, the design of diamonds made into blocks offers an optical illusion, where the diamonds can be seen to form stars. The border is made up of these stars and half-diamonds, and the entire quilt is trimmed with lace and triangular flaps made of tiny hexagons." [extract unidentified magazine article supplied by quilt owner.]
The backing is maroon cotton. 1600 x 1600 mm.
Patricia Cmielewski
Crazy patchwork quilt made from silk and cotton fabrics, in patterns and plains, in bright colours. Patches are arranged around a central diamond shaped patch in yellow which is bordered with light blue. All seams are covered with featherstitch and herringbone stitch. Patches were stitched onto a calico backing. A recent calico backing ahs been added and dark blue binding attached to the edge. No padding.
1555 x 910mm
June Johnson
Hand sewn cotton cot quilt with pattern of red and white lozenge shaped hexagons measuring approximately 65mm from top to bottom. A centre flower is constructed from 2 circles of 19 hexagons in red and white. This is surrounded by 8 smaller hexagon flowers. Additional single red hexagons are scattered at random on the white background around the rows of flowers. The quilt is not quilted or tied but is attached at all 4 edges. Writing on the back of the quilt (probably added later) reads "Made by Sarah Hodge, Newport, Wales UK for her first child John." There is no padding and the backing is white cotton. 1000 x 1250 mm.
The Pioneer Women's Hut
Machine pieced top of squares of part jumpers, most hand knitted. The padding is a blanket. The backing is an old curtain.
1735 x 1350mm
National Trust of Australia (TAS)
Patchwork quilt of cotton hexagons in a random mix of colours and prints, the predominant colours being blue, red, green, light yellow and pastels. Patches hand sewn. There is no padding and the backing is a grey wool blanket. The top is machine stitched around the edge to the blanket.
1645 x 1060mm