Quilt No.571MM - Margaret McMillan

Margaret McMillan
Owner: 
Margaret McMillan
Location: 
NSW
Maker
Maker: 
Elizabeth Horrell
Made in
ENGLAND and NEW ZEALAND
Date: 
pre 1850
Description: 
Cotton log cabin double bed quilt. Each square has 52 pieces (i.e. 13 pieces x 4 to make a square). There are 192 squares so a total of 10.092 pieces. There is probably no padding. The backing is calico with a floral pattern done in running stitch.
2200 x 2200mm
History: 

The quilt was made by Elizabeth Horrell (born Moore) (1827-1913). It was commenced by her in Devon England in 1837 when she was 11 years old. She married John Horrell in England in 1848 and they came to New Zealand on the 'Charlotte Jane' in 1850 with their eldest son Samuel. The quilt was completed in New Zealand around 1852-53.
"My grandmother- Margaret Horrell - told me the quilt was mine. Her husband William must have been given the quilt by Uncle Henry - who I recall stayed a lot with them and died in 1946. As a child I always slept under the quilt when I stayed in Ashburton N.Z. with my grandparents. Given to me at age 18. As I married and moved to Australia in 1962 my mother kept the quilt in N.Z. She decided to wash it and so in about 1970, I brought it back to Australia. It has been in use all its life." [Margaret McMillan 1.7.99]

Story: 

Elizabeth Moore grew up at 'Moorefarm', Morchard Bishop, Devon England. The farm is still there and in tact.
" His wife (Elizabeth Horrell) had taught school in Devonshire and had a certificate from there and a testimonial from the Vicar. She took a class on the 'Charlotte Jane' which included Tom Phillips of The Point. After they settled in Christchurch she was assistant mistress under J.S.Hawley when St. Michael's school was started. It was said she taught in the school for three years and used to put her baby in a corner made comfortable with her sewing work."
[Part reference from 'Biographical Notes in Canterbury Museum' supplied by Margaret McMillan 1.7.99]

Related Quilts:

Ros Wight
One of a pair of patchwork quilts machine sewn from squares of cottons and silks in pinks, aquas and blues in plain and print materials. Both quilts are similar. The backing is white cotton. There is no padding.
2200 x 1500mm
West Australian Quilters' Association
Repeat block in Dresden Plate pattern using various cotton fabrics from the 1920s. Quilted with a flower in the purple/pink centre and squares elsewhere. Border is furnishing fabric. The padding is cotton that is disintegrating and the backing is calico. 1980 x 2100mm
National Trust of Australia (SA)
Patchwork frame quilt made from cotton prints. Quilt centre has four pieced squares set within a star shaped border of square patches, set within a square frame (74cm square) edged with half triangles, then set within a red frame (114cm x 114 cm), diamond shaped or 'on point'. In the 4 triangles are double diamond shapes, then a wide border of squares and 'square within a square' patches with red triangles. Red binding. Padding is probably wool. Backing is a cotton print in browns in a floral paisley. All over quilting. Handsewn.
1880 x 1850mm
Nancy Dunlap
Quilt top in block design based on hexagons in a variety of patterned cotton with a plain pink hexagon in the centre. The hexagons are linked by triangles of pink cotton. Cottons include florals, stripes, checks, tartans and novelty prints. 2080 x 2300mm
Red Cliffs Historical Society
Log cabin pattern, each block dark and light strips. 4 blocks joined with dark strips to centre to make larger block. 30 large blocks and 2 sides with half blocks. Each block is machined on to calico. Materials include velvets, corduroys, interlock, taffetas and silver lame. There is a 170mm bottle green border and a single piece of mid brown synthetic for the backing. The padding is probably dacron.
2400 x 2100mm
Heather Roobol
Patchwork quilt has three centre squares, one in blue/white/brown in a cross pattern, one in framed square, one with diagonal strips in a pink frame. The rest of the quilt is made from strips of rectangles in different sizes sewn in rows. There is a narrow pieced frame, then an outer border of pieced rectangles. Mostly pastel colours. No padding. Backing is calico. There is a little embroidery.
2160 x 1601mm