Quilt No.125BF - Bud and Patricia Ford

1829 x 1525mm
This utilitarian quilt (originally with cretonne cover) was made by Mondi Gertrude Hortense Ford at Miles Queensland for her husband Hugh Bird Ford father of the present owner Bud Ford. It was made for carrying in a swag. It is not used now and is stored in the shed at Aldersyde East "because my wife told me to get rid of it and I couldn't do it" [Bud Ford]
"Bush blankets such as this one were usually coloured stripes on a dark grey base. They were inclined to be rough and probably made from low grade wool possibly either by Morris Mills of Ipswich or Bendigo or Geelong Mills." [Bud Ford]
Mondi Ford (born Fowles) 1893-1980, mother of the present owner, was the maker. She was the youngest sister of a brother who served in the Queensland Mounted Rifles during the Boer War. She spent time in China and Japan as hostess to her brother who was an honorary British Consul. "She was bored to death, luxury wasn't her style" [BF]. In 1921 she eloped with Hugh Bird Ford. They were married in Melbourne in the Anglican Cathedral with the verger and sweeper as witnesses. Mondi Ford was an accomplished musician and artist, a prolific correspondent. She was a needlewoman but hated cooking.
Related Quilts:
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
Stavroula re-covered this quilt with this material about 20 to 25 years ago. Originally the quilt had a yellow gold satin top with yellow gold cotton backing. Padding is cotton wadding.
1900 x 1600mm
Cotton wadding showing through worn areas.
1810 x 1250mm
1790 x 1160mm