Quilt No.754PHM - Powerhouse Museum

Powerhouse Museum
Owner: 
Powerhouse Museum
Location: 
NSW Sydney
Maker
Maker: 
Hannah Reed
Made in
ENGLAND
Patterms
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element
Date: 
1851 - 1880
Description: 
"The quilt is made from three panels of white cotton fabric, each about 800 mm wide and machine-stitched together. The quilting pattern consists of an all-over diamond ground with a central medallion of flowers and leaves and a border of scrolling feathers and flowers. The quilt is finished with a single row of machine stitching round the edge and marked 'T W Ritson' in ink on the underside of one corner and 'T W R' under another. The blue pattern markings are still evident on the surface of the quilt." [PHM] It is padded and backed with cotton.
2520 x 2430mm
History: 

"The maker of the quilt was Hannah Reed, born Coulson. The quilt was made in Hannah's home and the name of the farmlet was 'Swinhope Mill' of Swinhop, Sparty Lea, Allendale, Northumberland, England.
"The quilt was passed down through the family. It was left to the donor's aunt, Phyllis Jane. Then it was passed on to the donor's brother, Thomas William Ritson, next to the mother Ruth Ritson. Ruth brought the quilt to Australia in 1914 and passed it down to Lavinia McFadyen in 1919, just before she died. The quilt was not used, but kept as a treasure and donated to the Powerhouse Museum in 1983." [PHM]
The quilt is used for research and exhibition only.

Story: 

"Hannah Reed died at the age of 77 in 1892. At that time she was living with her daughter Ruth; her granddaughter Lavinia was 12 years old. On 8 February 1983, Lavinia McFadyen wrote:
'My Grandmother Reed was a thrifty, hardworking lady and was left a widow when Grandpa died at 55 years. I'd say she made and helped make several quilts in her time. She died at 77. When you read the quilting history I'm sending you'll see it was very time consuming. My aunties were all very good needlewomen and my mother taught needlework at a girl's school until she married and I had a beautiful display of quilts and much fancy work at my 2 sales. I gave a lot away until friends asked me to sell it.' "
[Lavinia McFadyen for the Powerhouse Museum]

Hannah with daughters Phyllis and Mary and Mary's child Ruth,'Swinhope Mill'
Hannah with daughters Phyllis and Mary and Mary's child Ruth,'Swinhope Mill'

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
Margery Creek for Eugene Creek
Quilt No.408MC - Margery Creek for Eugene Creek
Wholecloth polyester and cotton quilt in deep orange with centre frame of Creek family crest. The crest is machine zig zag appliqued to white background and has a black border. The quilt is machine sewn, hand quilted, has a white backing and a thin black binding on the border. The padding is polyester.
2235 x 1854mm
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
Stavroula Iouannou
Quilt No.777SI - Stavroula Iouannou
Wholecloth quilt with both sides in a cotton floral material with a dusty pink background. All over hand quilting is in loose parallel lines.
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
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element, Greek
Connie Papalazaros
Quilt No.924CP - Connie Papalazaros
Wholecloth quilt made from floral cotton material with a light green background. Hand stitched quilting pattern of diamonds in the centre and parallel lines radiating out from this. The padding is cotton wadding.
1940 x 1300mm
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element, Greek