Quilt No.201BM - Barbara McCabe

Barbara McCabe
Owner: 
Barbara McCabe
Location: 
VIC North East
Maker
Maker: 
Barbara McCabe
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
"A single bed cover made up of squares and recrangles of woollen fabric pieced together by a Vicker Sewing Machine from Myer Melbourne. The fabrics are either new (left over scraps) or used (unpicked woollen garments). The backing is an old (used) candlewick bedspread. There is no padding. It is faded and worn due to being used for other purposes later. There is a 66 cm high clown that ahs been appliqued on mainly by hand using blanket stitch. It is also made from scraps of fabric. The hands were cut from an old felt hat."
2400mm x 1660mm
History: 

Made by Barbara McCabe while living in Echuca in 1965-1966. Owned by Barbara McCabe.

Story: 

Barbara and her husband David were school teachers, and moved around Victoria, from Echuca to Research to Geelong/Highton.
This quilt was known as Michael's quilt. It was superseded within 4 years of having been made. Up until recently it had been used to pack around furniture being moved, and was treated roughly.
"It was made as the first bed cover for Barbara's son Michael who was born 8-2-64. It wasn't meant to be permanent but to make-do until a better one could be afforded. Woollen fabric was used so it could serve as an additional blanket."
"When I made the bedspread, I really knew nothing about quilting. This was the first of many such patchwork covers made from woollen fabric scraps to be used � They acted as ground sheets or additional blankets � till I could afford 'better', which meant commercial sort like everybody else used.
They were backed with old bedspreads, table clothes or cheap fabric. There was never three layers as I thought the wool was enough warmth. They were hardly quilted either. Just a couple of rows of stitching across the middle and a top stitch about 1/2" from the edge.
The first one I made (i.e. the one I'm mainly writing about) was the only one I appliqued or decorated.
Once they were replaced they were used for all sorts of tasks � like lining the boot of the car when we were collecting wood or other dirty items.
It is only now I appreciate what the scraps of woollen fabric in them, really mean to me. I still have some, but the one above is gone. It was made as a ground sheet for that play pen."
[Barbara McCabe]

Barbara McCabe with Michael as a baby
Barbara McCabe with Michael as a baby
Home at Echuca 1960-1968
Home at Echuca 1960-1968
Michael on a woollen patchwork rug
Michael on a woollen patchwork rug

Related Quilts:

Ryder Lundy
"Hexagons pieced over cardboard hand-sewn together. Each rosette was then machine quilted 1/8th to 1/4 inch from edge of rosette in shape of each rosette. Quilt is mainly cottons with a few rayons. Some checks and stripes are used but mainly florals. Has been machine quilted in rosette shape using green on green fabrics, lemon on lemon, orange on orange and red on red." [Ryder Lundy] There is no padding and the backing is gold curtain fabric extended at the end and one side with matching taffeta. 2220 x 1270 mm.
The Pioneer Women's Hut
Machine constructed log cabin quilt using a wide variety of strips of used clothing including cottons, men's suitings and wools. Each square is about 250mm and arranged in the 'light and dark of the fire' variation of log cabin. There is no padding. The backing is brown twill with an orange pattern and is probably a replacement backing.
2180 x 1710mm
Narelle Grieve
Folded log cabin, foundation pieced. Machine constructed. Materials are cotton, wool, rayon, flannelette, silk and twill. There is no padding and the backing is cretonne. 2700 x 2100 mm
Elsie Shephard
Double sided patchwork quilt/rug constructed from squares machined together in strips and then the strips joined. It is made in one piece and then doubled over. The materials are mainly wool, worsted, part cream machine made jumper, pink and blue mohair, blue and white spotted flannelette and cream blanket and all are scraps or from worn clothing.
1690 x 1370mm
Queen Victoria Musuem and Art Gallery
Quilt with log cabin blocks forming centre rectangle with border of crazy patchwork, in silks and velvets, handsewn on to backing of blue, beige, white woven cotton. Log cabin blocks are in rich dark and light rows forming diagonal stripes. The crazy patchwork has edges decorated with yellow and cream feather stitch. Mostly plain materials with some checks and stripes. The quilt appears to have had the edges cut down. The outer border is a dark blue figured velvet. There is no padding and the backing is maroon silk with a woven yellow motif.
1655 x 1215mm
Lorna Calder
Patchwork quilt of multi coloured silks and brocades. Crazy patchwork borders, mainly rectangular fabrics pieced together in diagonal patterns, radiating from a central frame embroidered with flowers. Many pieces are extensively embroidered in a great variety of stitches and motifs; butterflies, sunflowers, cats, daffodils, crown, pawn broker's symbol, 'money to lend', 'good night', the initials of family members and 'mater 1890'. The quilt has a deep border of maroon sateen. There is no padding visible but it is possibly a blanket. The backing is green/gold silk with a self stripe with red cotton damask showing underneath, possibly an earlier backing.
2165 x 2165mm