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:

Friends of the Hawkesbury Art Society
Patchwork Quilt consisting of diamond shapes forming a Tumbling Block pattern. All cotton, mainly patterned pieces, with signs of blotting paper templates. Hand sewn. The outer border of patches consists of off-cuts from nurses' uniforms of the times as 2 of the maker's daughters were nurses. It is thought most other squares were probably from material samples from large city stores such as Anthony Horderns. Backing is red cotton in a paisley design.
2030 x 1890mm
Muriel Thompson
Quilt in pattern known as 'double weeding ring'. All cotton, using old prints, plaids, checks and solid colours, with plain blues and red squares at the intersections of the circles. White background. Hand pieced. Padding is Hobbs Heirloom: cotton 80%, polyester 20%. Backing is cream quilted cotton. 2500 x 2100 mm.
Molly Palmer
Patchwork quilt with repeat blocks of Log Cabin pattern in cottons. One side of the square has blue fabrics, the other side has pink. Blocks are separated by a floral and a blue strip. The quilt is finished with a dark blue border on 2 sides, and a light and dark blue border on the other 2 sides. Dark blue binding around edge. Hand quilted with a cable pattern on the borders. Padding is probably synthetic. The quilt is backed.
Gillian Albers
Patchwork quilt made from hexagons in 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' design, in blue and aqua cottons, polyester and flannelette. Quilt is backed. No padding or quilting.
2380 x 2320mm
Doreen Carter
The quilt is called 'Loved'. The pattern is log cabin and it is made from dress materials and pyjama flannelette. The original filling was a heavy woollen blanket (now flannelette) and the backing is green headcloth - all government issue. With its restoration, the backing was supplemented with a green floral, and the quilt is now tied. The quilt is machine pieced, some restoration work is done by hand.
2260 x 1920mm
Virginia Solomon
Log Cabin quilt featuring centre square and 3 outer borders. Evidence of later repairs and additions by machine and hand sewing. There is white paint on it. The log cabin pieces are sewn on to black netting. There is no padding and the backing is a centre piece of gold damask/sateen and green and black sateen borders.
1728 x 1321mm