Quilt No.248HS - Helen Sparkman

Helen Sparkman
Owner: 
Helen Sparkman
Location: 
SA Adelaide
Maker
Maker: 
Matilda Pitt
Made in
AUSTRALIA SA
Patterms
Patchwork, Pieced Random
Date: 
1921 - 1940
Description: 
Patchwork quilt made from large pieces of cretonne and similar type cotton materials. On one side the seams and edges have been embellished with chain stitch.
2150 x 1220mm
History: 

This functional quilt was made by Matilda Pitt (born Bowman) (1860-1953) who was the great grandmother of the present owner. It is thought to have been made about 1920 and has always been owned by members of the Pitt family. It is not used now.

Story: 

"Matilda made these 3 quilts, probably in the early 1920s. Henry and Matilda Pitt and family lived at Stansbury S.A. until 1920 when they moved to a property at Balhannah S.A. The very cold winter in the Adelaide Hills created a need for extra night warmth, and so Matilda made 'rugs' for the family members, which by this time included grand children�����.As the description suggests , these quilts were quite heavy. The kitchen table provided an ideal work surface for these projects. These quilts represented very practical recycling, in an era when there was very little waste - even in the situation where there was no real need for thrift in this family. Matilda made quite a few quilts - the family members are fortunate to still have three of them."
[Helen Sparkman Dec. 2000]

Matilda Pitt (3rd from right) and family members 1946
Matilda Pitt (3rd from right) and family members 1946

Related Quilts:

National Gallery of Australia
Quilt No.965NGA - 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
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Quilt No.823TMAG - Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Cot quilt of mixed textiles and techniques. Made in sections and stitched together possibly with some padding. It features embroidered and appliqued animals (cats, donkey, elephant, squirrel, birds, kangaroo, emu) and nursery rhyme characters. Materials are cotton, silk, wool, imitation fur. There is a black velvet patch with a cross stitch parrot and embroidered date and initials 'May 1925 AE'. The backing is woven self patterned curtain material. There is a ruffle around the edge in the same material.
1400 x 930mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Typically Australian, Motifs or Names
Gabrielle Carter
Quilt No.1020GC - Gabrielle Carter
Crazy quilt of velvet upholstery fabrics, and cigar ribbons with surface embroidery. Patches are outlined in embroidery stitches, and one patch has 'Dec 12 1886' on it. There is no padding, and the backing is cotton. 1720 x 1580 mm.
Patchwork, Pieced Random, Crazy
Albury Regional Museum
Quilt No.8ARM - Albury Regional Museum
Log cabin patchwork pieces (2) with each block approximately 120 x 120mm. They are diagonally divided into light and dark side. Materials are mainly silks including silk velvets. Each block is stitched on to a backing square, pieces of old blanket, woollens, cottons, many very worn. There is no other backing.
Quilt is hand pieced.
1000 x 1000mm
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block, Log Cabin, Pieced Random
Jindera Pioneer Museum
Quilt No.76JPM - Jindera Pioneer Museum
Quilt made of 26 x 13 rectangles of woollen men's suiting samples. Each rectangle is about 70 x 130 mm. Wide variety of patterns, mainly stripes, and colous. The padding is part of a worn cream blanket and joined pieces of woollen clothing. The backing is a well worn piece of brushed cotton. Machine made.
11900 x 1870 mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Typically Australian, Tailors' samples
Lois Ryan
Quilt No.1017LR - Lois Ryan
Log Cabin quilt made from a variety of cottons and silks. There is no padding and the backing is calico bags. 1500 x 1250 mm.
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block, Log Cabin