Quilt No.488WHS - Wangaratta Historical Society

Wangaratta Historical Society
Owner: 
Wangaratta Historical Society
Location: 
VIC North East
Maker
Maker: 
Marianne Gibson
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Patterms
Patchwork, Pieced Random, Crazy, Typically Australian
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
9 large blocks of crazy patchwork in silks and velvets. The blocks are divided by strips of deep ruby coloured silk. There is a wide ruby border with peaks to which is attached cream lace. The backing is beige silk. The main blocks are outlined with feather stitch in gold thread and many individual patches are outlined in fancy stitches and have embroidered motifs some of which are Australian eg centre patch has Sturt's Desert Pea flowers, parrots, wattle. There are also English flowers, Japanese motifs, flags, domestic objects and Marianne's initials. Embroidery is in a variety of...
History: 

The quilt was made about 1891 in Wangaratta by Marianne Gibson (1837-1911). It remained in the family until it was presented to Miss Alma Gard and on Alma's retirement she presented it to the Wangaratta Historical Society. It is carefully stored and exhibited occasionally.

Story: 

"Marianne was born in Armagh, Ireland in 1837, and as a young woman she and her sister accompanied their uncle to Australia. They eventually made their way to Wangaratta Victoria where in 1864, Marianne married Alexander McCullen Gibson.
Mr. Gibson was to become a prominent business man in Wangaratta, establishing a handsome brick building in Reid St, which he operated as a general store and Wine Merchants. The ground floor of the building became the business premises and the first floor which included a pretty balcony became the home of the Gibson family.
Marianne's Obituary which was published in the "Wangaratta Chronicle" in 1911 stated that 'She attended her household in a truly motherly and womanly manner, rearing a family of 3 sons and two daughters.' Unfortunately her Obituary does not identify her daughters by their Christian names.
She also involved herself with women's organisations in the town, particularly the 'Wangaratta Women's Benevolent Society'.
Like many women of her generation she was an experienced needlewoman. The beautiful quilt, known in our society as the 'Gibson quilt' being an example of her considerable skill and pride in her work. This particular quilt was made in 1891."
[Joan Wood, Research Officer, Wangaratta Historical Society 28.10.1996]

Centre patch with Sturt's Desert Pea
Centre patch with Sturt's Desert Pea

Related Quilts:

Catherine Ringwood
Quilt No.482CR - Catherine Ringwood
The top of this quilt is 6 x 5 alternating squares and rectangles of check woollen material in 12 or more colour ways. Herringbone stitch in yellow stranded cotton is worked along each join and border.The border is plain grey wool. There is no padding and the backing is light blue crepe.
1118 x 814mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Square
Agnes Pratten
Quilt No.955AP - Agnes Pratten
Thick padding for a wholecloth quilt constructed from pieces of old woollen clothing. The backing is a calico sheet. Originally had a cretonne cover.
Wholecloth, Re-used clothing or blanket, Utilitarian, Typically Australian
Glenda Wilkinson
Quilt No.474GW - Glenda Wilkinson
Small quilt made from pieces of heavy weight wooollen coat material cut into strips and machined together. It is reversible. Each side is made from different materials but in similar colours of aqua, blue, green and beige. The 2 layers are quilted together with a few machined lines of straight stitching. It has a folded and machine stitched edge. There is no padding.
950 x 790mm
Patchwork, Pieced Random, Typically Australian, Tailors' samples
National Gallery of Australia
Quilt No.965NGA - National Gallery of Australia
"This quilt follows the traditional hexagon patchwork pieced pattern, which are then joined and sometimes edged with a contrasting border. The edges of the quilt have been turned and then scalloped edges made of identical patches to the main body of the quilt have been attached to the edge. The quilt is fully lined, and the lining is visible front the front face through the gaps between the scalloped edge. The lining is attached to the patchwork with a row of stitches along the edges; there are no stitches in the centre field. The fabrics of the quilt are plain weave cotton in simple floral and geometric designs. Most of the fabrics are monochromatic. Several different colour ways of the same fabric are evident which could suggest some fabrics were from manufacturer samples. The lining is a William Morris print.
Each of the patchwork pieces (there are several thousand present) are sewn together with very fine overcasting stitches. The quilt is entirely hand sewn. There is some evidence that templates from the hexagon pieces possibly blotting paper, remain in situ���The quilt is not padded or quilted. The lining is fine twill weave cotton printed in pink and pale purple. The design follows William Morris's 'Strawberry Thief design'." [NGA] 2075 x 1911mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
Art Gallery of South Australia
Quilt No.305ASA - Art Gallery of South Australia
Patchwork quilt made of hexagons in cottons in a variety of prints. The patches are arranged in the 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' pattern, with dark patches around a light centre patch. The 'paths' are cream cotton. The border is made from diamond shapes placed alternately vertical and horizontal, between two edges of red striped fabric, with mitred corners.
No padding. Backing is red cotton, embroidered 'M.A. Wilson 1863'. Handsewn.
2500 x 2170mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
The Queensland Women's Historical Assoc.
Quilt No.106QWH - The Queensland Women's Historical Assoc.
Wool patches in large Tumbling Block pattern. Plain colours, blues, orange, gree, red. Seams are over embroidered with silk thread in herringbone stitch. Backing is 'Molleton', red with yellow pansy design.
2490 x 2236mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Tumbling Block