Quilt No.868AG - Annette Gero

Annette Gero
Owner: 
Annette Gero
Location: 
NSW Sydney
Maker
Maker: 
Catherine McDonald
Made in
AUSTRALIA NSW
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
9 separate blocks of Crazy patchwork with velvet borders and sashings. Materials are mainly silks and satins and there is some embroidery.
1940 x 1600mm
History: 

The quilt was made by Catherine Mary McDonald (Katie) at Mussellbrook NSW probably in the 1890s. She gave it, and her bible, to Laura Thompson (a friend) when she had to go to hospital and knew she wouldn't recover. In the early 60s Laura Thompson gave the quilt and bible to her daughter, Laurel Riddler. The quilt is now in the collection of Annette Gero.

Story: 

"Catherine Mary McDonald (Katie) was born in 1864 and died unmarried in 1943 at Muswellbrook. Her parents were Farquhar McDonald and Mary McRae. They arrived from Invernesshire on the 10th December 1854 on the 'St. Helena'. Katie was one of 8 children. Her own mother died in 1874 and in 1879 her father remarried, Sarah Judd�.." [Annette Gero]

Katie McDonald
Katie McDonald

Related Quilts:

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
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
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Gabrielle Carter
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Jindera Pioneer Museum
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