Quilt No.1046DH - Diane Kern Hamilton

Diane Kern Hamilton
Owner: 
Diane Kern Hamilton
Location: 
WA South West
Maker
Maker: 
Elva May White
Made in
USA Montana
Date: 
1921 - 1940
Description: 
Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern constructed from hexagons with sides approx 2cms. Repeats of three concentric circles of hexagons outside a centre yellow hexagon. Each of the first two circles is made from the same fabric and the outer circle is always pale yellow. The 'pathway' is solid green. It is quilted in concentric circles 5mm in on all hexagons. There is a fine padding and the backing is yellow polished cotton. It is known as Great Aunt Elva's quilt.
2480 x 1980mm.
History: 

The quilt was made by Elva Mae White (born Decker) on their farm in Manhattan in the Bozeman area of Montana, USA probably in the 1930s. The maker left the quilt to a faithful worker, Virgil Howard, who gave it to the present owner who is Elva White's great niece. It is used occasionally for special guests.

Story: 

"Maker Elva Mae White was born approx 1880 and was married in 1901. For their honeymoon in 1902 Elva and her husband went with her husband's parents to Yellowstone National Park. They travelled in a covered wagon and a buggy and may also have taken tents. In the three weeks they were in Yellowstone NP Elva and her mother-in-law cooked and did laundry for some soldiers who hadn't seen a woman for a long time. The soldiers were working in the national park helping to build roads and establish the new national park.
On the farm Elva's husband had stud cattle and wheat. Elva would have done all the cooking and cleaning and used to get up at 5am with breakfast being at 6.30am. She was also active outside the house as she kept chickens and ducks. The house was originally a one-room log cabin built in the 1880's and was gradually added to make several rooms. Prior to her marriage Elva had taught in a one-room school.
Elva and her husband had no children so after Elva's husband died she left the house to a faithful worker on the farm, Virgil Howard, who lived in a sheep herder's cottage. Virgil left the quilt to the present owner as he knew she was interested in quilting. Elva died in 1974. Virgil told the present owner that she made other quilts but must have given them away." [Diane Kern Hamilton]

Related Quilts:

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
Oakey Historical Museum Society Inc.
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Powerhouse Museum
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