Quilt No.383RA - Ruth Nash Allen

Ruth Nash Allen
Owner: 
Ruth Nash Allen
Location: 
NSW Sydney
Maker
Maker: 
Women from Hurstville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Made in
AUSTRALIA NSW
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
Quilt based on 70mm block. Cottons and rayon's with some reused materials. Machine pieced, hand quilted. Backing is mid blue cotton brought over to the front and machined to form a binding. Padding is probably cotton.
2510 x 1850mm
History: 

The quilt was made by women in a church group in Hurstville Sydney as a project in which they could all participate. The women supplied the material and cut the pieces and Ethel Nash Parton, the President, machined them together. The women then hand quilted the 3 layers together. Ethel's mother-in-law and sister-in-law also helped with the quilting. It was made between 1944 and 1948 and the group did not make any other quilts.
For a few years the quilt was used under the mattress, over the wire base on Ethel's bed and then 2 years ago Ethel's sister, Ruth Allen, discovered the quilt when moving the bed. She now uses it on her bed.

Story: 

Ethel Nash Parton belonged to the church group, the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hurstville branch (Sydney). The church building was at the corner of Noble Street and Railway Pde. Allawah but it is not now owned by the church. Ethel was president of the group from 1944 to 1948.
The women making the quilt were not particularly interested in quilting, it was just 'a project'. There was a wide age range in the group and they wanted an activity in which everyone could participate.
Ethel's sister, Ruth Allen, wrote" I am very happy that Ethel is getting recognition as she's been a wonderful worker and is an unassuming, reserved person."
[Letter to NQR 13.2.1999]

Ethel Nash Parton & Ruth Nash Allen 1997
Ethel Nash Parton & Ruth Nash Allen 1997

Related Quilts:

National Trust of Australia (TAS)
Quilt made of hexagons in cotton materials, the hexagons set in the 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' pattern with 6 patterned patches set around a plain coloured centre patch and white hexagons forming 'paths'. There is a white cotton backing with the edges turned under all the way around and top and backing are joined by a blue machine sewn satin stitch. The patches are hand sewn.
2160 x 1830mm
Daphne Akehurst
Quilt in a wide variety of patterned and plain hexagons in cotton with a wide green border. There is no padding and the backing is cotton.
2500 x 2200mm
Marion Coleman
Quilt made of Tailors' wool samples in stripes, checks and plain,, rectangles in different sizes machined together in strips. Colours are grey, navy, brown, light grey and cream. Lining or backing is of patterned cotton, in three layers as it has worn and been replaced. Machine and zigzag quilting.
1626 x 1271mm
Mare Carter
Patchwork quilt. All cotton with cotton filling. Entirely made of hexagons, patterned and plain. 6 hexagons surround a central one. Colours, red, blue, yellow and white. Hnad stitched and hand quilted.
2108 x 1702mm
The Pioneer Women's Hut
The quilt is constructed from machine pieced diamond shaped striped flannel materials. The backing is the same. The padding is not visible but is thought to be worn out woollen clothing, unpicked and ironed flat.
1520 x 970mm
Evelyn McAlister
Quilt made from dressmaking materials in a design probably made up by the maker but resembling 'Courthouse Steps'. The outer border of each block is mitred. Originally it was reversible but during restoration the back was brought to the front, doubling the size of the quilt. The padding is old woollen materials. The backing is a new piece of floral material. It is now machine quilted.
1830 x 1220mm