Quilt No.989TL - Thelma Lithgow

Thelma Lithgow
Owner: 
Thelma Lithgow
Location: 
SA
Maker
Maker: 
Margaret Clucas
Made in
SHIPBOARD England
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Repeat block quilt top based on hexagons, each 350 mm diameter. Six hexagons and a centre one make a 'flower' and these are set in rows against a plain calico background. Patterned cotton fabrics are used for the hexagons, small prints, fine stripes and tiny flowers. As it is a quilt top only, there is no lining or padding. 2100 x 1800 mm
History: 

The quilt top was made by Margaret Clucas in 1882 on the ship 'Potosi' travelling from the Isle of Man to Australia. It was then owned by her daughter, Mona Harvey (born Clucas) and then her grand-daughter Thelma Muriel Mona Lithgow born 1909.

Story: 

"Margaret Clucas nee Lewin, born Isle of Man 1834, married John Clucas and migrated to Australia via England, travelling on the cargo passenger ship the 'Potosi' 1882. While travelling on the 'Potosi' Margaret made the quilt top but it was never backed. John and Margaret Clucas were both school teachers and were quickly registered in their profession on arrival in St. Australia, Constantly moving around in difficult conditions occupied all their spare time. Hence the quilt was never completed. The hexagon papers were old letters but they have disintegrated over time." [Yvonne Daniel]

John and Margaret Clucas
John and Margaret Clucas

Related Quilts:

Win Adcock
The quilt on longer exists, just the label, but the quilt was squares of flannelette shirt material, velvets and woollen pieces. The backing was calico. The label was sewn to the backing and it reads: 'Red Cross Killarney Manitoba'. It is embroidered in red and is on a white piece of sheeting.
Yass & District Historical Society
Patchwork quilt made from diamond patches in the 'Cotton Box' pattern, in a wide variety of cotton fabrics, including plains, checks, stripes and florals. The patches have blotting paper templates. The quilt is edged with diamond shapes in a red floral cotton. The backing is of the same red floral pattern, featuring yellow, turquoise and white flowers and leaves. Hand sewn.
2135 x 2033mm
Red Cliffs Historical Society
Crazy patchwork quilt pieced from velvets, satins, braids, taffetas, cottons with some decorative stitching. A ruffle and the backing are in ruby red satin. There is a dacron type padding.
1620 x 1200mm
Margery Creek
Snow Ball' cotton quilt made in the USA. Feed bag materials and dress materials. Hand pieced and hand quilted. Calico border and backing.
2058 x 2007mm
Ankie King
Small square piece of crazy patchwork in silks and taffetas. Many of the seams are oversewn with decorative embroidery stitches. There is a calico backing.
550 x 550mm
Mare Carter
Patchwork quilt made for a doll's bed or possibly as an infant's quilt. All cotton. The owner calls the pattern a variation of 'Bow Ties'. Hand sewn and quilted. This quilt is new.
534 x 382mm