Quilt No.695HL - Heather Leonard

Heather Leonard
Owner: 
Heather Leonard
Location: 
VIC Melbourne
Maker
Maker: 
Hilda Kyffin
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Patterms
Wholecloth, Re-used clothing or blanket, Utilitarian, Typically Australian
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
This 'Quilt' is made from an army great coat from the second world war. The seams have been unpicked and pieced together by machine zig-zagging the flat edges (with Singer treadle sewing machine). The pocket slits are turned back and seamed rather than being pared off. The outside edges are turned over and blanket stitched in red. It does not have a backing.
1620 x 1180mm
History: 

This blanket was made by Hilda Kyffin at her house in Moorabbin sometime post war. It is made from a great coat worn by her husband during the second world war. It was used to cover Hilda's double bed mattress against winter chills until 1985. It is now owned by her daughter and is not used.

Story: 

"My mother was incredibly resourceful having come from a family of seven children and struggled through the depression and the war. She had great respect for 'proper woollen material' which was strictly rationed in wartime����
My mother joined the Moorabbin Country Women's Association after the war and was a back bone member until 1985. She was active in crafts and charity work with them. Fortunately I have been able to save many examples of their traditional craft which she made. Re-using things was their stock in trade."
[Heather Leonard 20.10.2000]

Major Powell James Kiffin MC who owned the great coat
Major Powell James Kiffin MC who owned the great coat
Hilda Kiffin
Hilda Kiffin
The post war Housing Commission house at Moorabbin
The post war Housing Commission house at Moorabbin

Related Quilts:

Yvonne Hamdorf
Quilt No.1016YH - Yvonne Hamdorf
Wholecloth pram quilt with a top of pink cotton sateen, and the reverse is a more finely woven, ivory, fabric. All over quilting design as main feature, with stylised hearts, leaves and cross hatching. The padding is cotton batting. 870 x 660 mm.
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element
John Tomkin
Quilt No.1005JT - John Tomkin
Hand stitched, cotton, appliquéd, quilt in a flower pattern on a plain background. Colours are shades of green, apricot and browns. This quilt was known as a 'Bride's Quilt'. Padding is thought to be layers of white fabric raised almost like a wadding. The backing is cotton material. 2470 x 2020 mm.
Wholecloth, Embroidered and/or Appliqued
With held as requested
Quilt No.793MO - With held as requested
Wholecloth quilt with top and backing made from coarsley woven linen. The edges are bound with paisley printed material. The quilting pattern consists of a series of whorls in different sizes. The padding is fleece wool.
1920 x 1756mm
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element
Sue Batzloff
Quilt No.328SB - Sue Batzloff
Patchwork quilt for a child made from suiting pieces from the Castlemaine Woollen Mills in Victoria. One side has dark rectangles in greys and navy, the other side uses pieces in light browns, cream and rust, with dark grey. The edging is also made from suiting. No padding Machine sewn.
1347 x 1271mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Rectangle, Typically Australian, Tailors' samples
Ruth Hansen
Quilt No.915RH - Ruth Hansen
Quuilt constructed from large pieces of used clothing pieced together to form the top. There are layers of under shirts once used by the maker's father and also by her husband Bill. The backing is an old cream blanket.
1700 x 1200mm
Patchwork, Pieced Random, Typically Australian, Re-used clothing or blanket
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Quilt No.821TMAG - Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Wholecloth cot quilt, reversible, both sides pale pink rayon printed with small bunches of pink roses, blue flowers and green leaves. Outside edge is machine sewn except for opening for filling which is slip stitched. Quilted by hand with large stitches in pink thread along width and length of quilt. The padding is wool.
815 x 570mm
Wholecloth, Utilitarian