Quilt No.1056PJN - Peter and Jan Newman

Peter and Jan Newman
Owner: 
Peter and Jan Newman
Location: 
WA Perth
Maker
Maker: 
Dulcie Alma Tobin
Made in
AUSTRALIA WA
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
Suffolk Puff quilt with puffs mainly in patterned cotton pieces saved from 60 years of household sewing. Puffs are formed into rosettes and the holes are on the top making a decorative feature. It is hand sewn.
2700 x 2400mm.
History: 

The quilt was made by Dulcie Alma Tobin at Mount Lawley WA in the early 1970s using scraps of material saved from the 1920s to 1970. Dulcie had the quilt until she died in 1988 and it then passed to her grand-daughter Jan Newman. It is still used and is Jan and Peter Newman's summer quilt.

Story: 

"Dulcie Alma Tobin: (born in Northam, 1897), saved all the material 'leftovers' from 60 years of household sewing and when she was in her mid seventies, began to stitch them into this quilt.
She was assisted by family - husband Jack threaded all the needles (80 at a time, stuck in a pincushion to keep her going), sister Beatty and daughter Dulcie helping to cut and iron the patches. All the sewing and arranging was done by Dulcie Tobin, despite rapidly failing eyesight. She was 84 years old when it was completed, and so they were able to use it on their bed for a few years before Jack died (1986) and Dulcie moved to the Braille Nursing Home. She died in 1988, shortly after handing the quilt on to her granddaughter Janice Newman." [Jan Newman]

Dulcie and Jack Tobin, 1974, their diamond wedding anniversary
Dulcie and Jack Tobin, 1974, their diamond wedding anniversary
The family home at Mt. Lawley where the quilt was made.
The family home at Mt. Lawley where the quilt was made.

Related Quilts:

Josephine Curtis
Taylor's sample quilt made from men's suit swatches, mainly greys and blues. Edging is 6cms wide, of blue flannelette. Padding is an old grey blanket, and the backing is of printed pattern corduroy. 1680 x 920 mm.
The Pioneer Women's Hut
The quilt is constructed from machine pieced diamond shaped striped flannel materials. The backing is the same. The padding is not visible but is thought to be worn out woollen clothing, unpicked and ironed flat.
1520 x 970mm
 Dianne Gorringe
Patchwork quilt/cloth with strong overall design of very small squares. The colours are navy, red, cream, green (khaki) and fawn. There is a wide fringe on all sides. There is no padding. The backing is cotton sateen.
1240 x 126mm
Albury Regional Museum
Patchwork cot quilt, machine pieced, rectangular, 5 x 4 squares. Assorted fabrics including seersucker, corduroy, printed and plain cottons. White ric-rac braid and zigzag machine stitching accentuate rows. Edge of white cotton tape. Backing is single flour bag, calico, with maker's printing visible through patchwork: 'Tiger. Best Australian Roller Flour. Mala Foot. Sole Supply. Part of Kuala Lumper' and Chinese characters.
674 x 540mm
Teona Smith
Suffolk Puff or puff-ball quilt is made from scraps of dresses and pyjamas, mainly cottons, but also taffeta lining fabric, net, lurex, flocked organdie. The quilt is in bright clear colours, the fabric mostly in small prints, ginghams, different size spots, a few large prints, Chinese brocade, nylon. Puffs are 5cm across, and set 31 puffs across by 45 down. Puffs are squared off when whipstitched together, so corner holes are smaller than usual.
2180 x 1500mm
The Pioneer Women's Hut
Machine pieced crazy patchwork quilt in plain, floral and striped cotton materials. Some pieces are seamed and others are sewn direct on to calico backing. Each piece is outlined in red stranded cotton in herringbone stitch.
2150 x 1770mm