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:

Rozanne Andrew
Patchwork crazy quilt of late 40s and early 50s. Pieces are from curtains, tablecloth,other kitchen type fabrics in cotton, seersucker and linen. Colours are mainly reds, greens, blues, and pastels, in prints and plain. Herringbone stitch is worked around the edge of each patch. No filling. The backing is calico with one edge in a piece of coloured cotton from the front; the calico was a little small for the top.
2020 x 1400mm
National Trust of Australia (WA)
Patchwork quilt in Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern consisting of groups of 7 rosettes and single rosettes with white filler hexagons and a border of rosettes alternating with 'bow tie' shapes of 5 patches in the middle of the quilt. Hand sewn in cotton dress and shirting materials , the colours mostly blues, pinks, reds, brown and white. The quilt top is covered in netting. There is no padding and the backing is cream cotton twill.
2270 x 2080mm
N.S.W. Parks and Wildlife Service
Crazy patchwork on to foundation material with the edges of the pieces turned under and machined. It is not quilted. A 25mm red binding has been machined on. There is no padding. The backing is red wholecloth cotton.
1940 x 1540mm
Annette Rich
Unlined quilt. Central square of floral chintz with rectangular and chevron border making a larger frame that is set within another square-on-point frame edged with 2 toned red leaf pattererned chintz. This quilt is mainly pieced (squares, triangles, lozenges) but the hexagon rosettes are appliqued. Dress and furnishing cottons dating from the early 1800s. Raw edged, unfinished. All hand stitched.
2400 x 2400mm
Ann Hockey
Patchwork quilt made from rectangles of samples of men's woollen suitings, in greys and blues and some browns. The rectangles were machine sewn together and then sewn in rows or strips. Originally the quilt had a rabbit skin backing, removed due to deterioration. No padding. Machine sewn.
1550 x 1420mm
Lesley Stocker
Suffolk puff quilt with puffs in a variety of fabrics. Very little cotton. Fabrics are satin, polyester, organza, wool (now moth eaten), rayon and silk. There is no padding or backing. 2450 x 2100mm