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:

Robyn Gallaway
Machine made cotton quilt with 100mm cotton squares placed diagonally with peaks running around the edge. The colours are mainly autiumn tones and the patterns include checks, tartans, florals, geometric and plains. Materials were scraps left over from sewing projects such as children's clothes. There is a matching valance.
Fran Williams
Quilt with centre area of silk triangles framed with small squares and the rest of the top is larger squares. Wide variety of prints and plain materials. There is no padding. The backing is cotton and "E.M.B." is cross stitched in one corner. "Back is interesting as it's all the same fabric, joined but it appears to have been stitched with a running stitch (cf quilting) before it was attached to the front. It was definitely done after being joined as the stitching design follows through the seams." [Fran Williams]
2500 x 2500mm
National Trust of Australia (TAS)
Patchwork quilt of cotton hexagons in a random mix of colours and prints, the predominant colours being blue, red, green, light yellow and pastels. Patches hand sewn. There is no padding and the backing is a grey wool blanket. The top is machine stitched around the edge to the blanket.
1645 x 1060mm
Kristine Gray
Double sided frame quilt. All reused materials including corduroys, wools and light weight suitings. Machine made and not quilted There is no padding as already heavy and warm.
1780 x 1530mm
Shelley Cameron
Cotton scrap quilt with shapes of squares and diamonds and strips. There is no padding and the backing is calico.
2125 x 1440mm
Joanne Pedler
Crazy patchwork cot quilt made from a wide variety of materials, patterned and plain. Some seams are overstitched with feather stitch and herringbone. One of a pair. There is no padding. The backing is taffeta.
1500 x 2000mm