Quilt No.389AC - Ann Cuthbert

Ann Cuthbert
Owner: 
Ann Cuthbert
Location: 
NSW Sydney
Maker
Maker: 
Mrs Wight
Made in
USA
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Patchwork quilt of hexagons in pattern known as 'Grandmother's flower garden'. All cotton. Rosettes are set in a white 'path' with the centre and first ring in solid colours and the second ring prints. There is a yellow border and an outer border in pink. It is hand pieced and hand quilted. The padding is cotton and the backing is white cotton with 2 border edges in light and dark blue. These borders were originally part of the top. There is an inscription "Dear daughter from Mother".
2390 x 1880mm
History: 

The quilt was made in California, USA, by the owner's great, great, great grandmother whose name was Wight and who had come from the Isle of Wight. It is thought to have been made in 1892 and it passed by maternal descent through the next 5 generations. The surnames of the next 3 generations of women are: Stid (great, great GM), Northam (great GM), Whipple (GM). The quilt then passed to Ann Cuthbert's mother, Elizabeth Whipple (later MacGregor) and then to Ann.
The quilt is not used.

Story: 

There is a history of handwork in the family. The quilt has rarely been used as it was too fragile but Ann Cuthbert recalls it being on her bed as a teenager. Ann came to Australia when she was 10 years old.
It is thought that Mrs. Wight (born 1811) made the quilt for her daughter's birthday.
[Ann Cuthbert requested that the following information be included: The quilt is now with her daughter-in-law (son deceased) in Finland and the address is: Marja Cuthbert, Selininkatn 1 A 13, 33240, Tampere, Finland.]

Surnames are: Wight (seated), Stid, Northam and baby Whipple c.1876
Surnames are: Wight (seated), Stid, Northam and baby Whipple c.1876

Related Quilts:

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
Patchwork quilt made from silk and challis and velvet hexagons set to form diamond shapes. The centre shape has 8 hexagons surrounded by a row of 16 hexagons. The outer border of the quilt is 2 rows of 'Tumbling Blocks' set amongst a variety of black silk and satin patches. There is a wide fringe in red, green, blue and yellow. There is no padding and the backing is a recent addition in red cotton, synthetis mix.
1770 x 1740mm
Art Gallery of South Australia
Patchwork quilt or table covering dark and light silks in bright colours, pieced from diamond shapes into stars with black patches between the stars. Plain and patterned silks are used for the stars. Border is made from a single row of Tumbling Blocks in plain silks with an edging on each side of truncated black diamonds on blue on the inside, orange on the outer edge. There is a star pieced of diamonds in each corner. Hand sewn.
1830 x 1800mm
N.S.W. Parks and Wildlife Service
Double sided square quilt mainly in cottons. Side 1 has been made in 4 squares each consisting of different sized strips and rectangles. With side 2 there appears to have been 2 stages as if the quilt was extended perhaps to match side 1. It is also squares, rectangles and strips. Sparsley machine quilted. There is no binding but side 2 has been turned over to side 1 and stitched by machine.
1525 x 1525mm
The Queensland Women's Historical Assoc.
Wool patches in large Tumbling Block pattern. Plain colours, blues, orange, gree, red. Seams are over embroidered with silk thread in herringbone stitch. Backing is 'Molleton', red with yellow pansy design.
2490 x 2236mm
Julianne Humphris
Patchwork quilt of hand sewn hexagons in a variety of print and plain cotton fabrics from 1950-1960. Colours are mainly pinks, blues, greens and yellow, with some red, and white. Quilt has a wide border of yellow poplin, which also forms the backing. No padding.
2280 x 1520mm
Red Cliffs Historical Society
Pieced construction, repeat block format, American Blue Grass pattern. Hand stitched and quilted with a machined edge. Mauve check stars, 8 points, surrounded by 16 point stars in yellow floral. One star per block plus green squares and red strips. The background is yellow cotton and so is the backing. There is a dacron type padding.
1980 x 1740mm