Quilt No.38SM - Regina Murphy

"Sarah's Quilt
My first child Sarah Therese Murphy was born on 10.3.64. It was the 'Hippie Era' a period of flower power motifs and a preponderance of denim fabrics. I had been brought up in Kalgoorlie WA. My own bed was covered with a white 'Marseilles' quilt, & the frilled pillows with a beautifully embroidered pillow sham. My sister and I were forbidden to even sit on our beds - they were only for sleeping - & then only when the quilt and sham were carefully folded and placed over a wooden towel stand.
My greatest pleasure was to visit my friend in the next street, who lived in a very different household. She had a patchwork quilt, not a work of art to be admired, but a colourful, casual cover to enjoy & even to snuggle under on cold winter days. We would lounge on Gail's bed & read books or talk for hours. After my daughter was born I decided I wanted to create that type of ambience for her bedroom. Her bed was an English Ercol, Windsor style made of beech, curved at head & base. This meant that a conventional quilt would not sit as easily as one created to custom fit. What could suit my aim better than the popular denim. I commenced by cutting 4" squares from every unworn garment I could find. Each square was then decorated with applique or embroidery or both. I started with a 'baby' embroidered motif from a greeting card she had received. The quilt includes pieces from hair ribbons, favourite dresses, pieces of lace from her christening dress, & embroidery. The centre was completed for her first birthday when she moved into her own bedroom.
Each 4" square was turned and stitch by machine for strength. The squares were then joined together & finally attached to an unbleached calico sheet. This meant that the quilt could be used & the calico tucked into the matress. Later as Sarah's interests grew squares were added to each side to cover the sheet. The base is curved to cover the contours of the oval matress. It is a folksy quilt which I hope, achieved its original objective.
Sarah is now married & both bed & quilt reside in the 'spare room' of her own home." [Regina Murphy 20.4.97]
"The squares also tell stories - initials of each family member, names of dogs & cats, symbols of Ireland (family homeland), universities attended and pieces of Sarah's wedding clothes. It tells a number of stories & provides many memories." [RM]