Quilt No.581LC - Lorna Calder

Lorna Calder
Owner: 
Lorna Calder
Location: 
NSW Central West
Maker
Maker: 
Jane Calder
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Patterms
Frame, Motifs or Names, Patchwork, Typically Australian
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Patchwork quilt of multi coloured silks and brocades. Crazy patchwork borders, mainly rectangular fabrics pieced together in diagonal patterns, radiating from a central frame embroidered with flowers. Many pieces are extensively embroidered in a great variety of stitches and motifs; butterflies, sunflowers, cats, daffodils, crown, pawn broker's symbol, 'money to lend', 'good night', the initials of family members and 'mater 1890'. The quilt has a deep border of maroon sateen. There is no padding visible but it is possibly a blanket. The backing is green/gold silk with a self stripe with...
History: 

The quilt was made by Jane Calder (born Bennett) in Melbourne probably just before the turn of the century. Jane was known as 'Mater' in the family. It descended through the maker's family and came to Lorna Calder on the death of her mother-in-law in 1948. The quilt was found in an old tin trunk in the cellar of her Melbourne home in Grey Street, St. Kilda. In 1980 Mrs. Calder had the quilt repaired for her daughter Morella's return to Australia and it was used in her Balmain home. Additional initials relating to Mrs. Calder's family had been added by the Austrian needlewoman, Soula, who did the repairs. The quilt came back into Lorna Calder's hands on the death of her daughter. It is not used.

Story: 

The Calder family were from Edinburgh. Jane Bennett married William Henderson Calder in about 1860 and they went to New Zealand. She had nine children in New Zealand and they returned to Scotland in 1875. After a year or two the family came to Australia and settled in St. Kilda in a large house that still stands in Grey Street. Unfortunately much of the information about the quilt died with Lorna Calder's mother-in-law.
[Based on informal interview with Lorna Calder by Kylie Winkworth 15.9.99]

Jane Calder
Jane Calder
The house is St. Kilda where the quilt was made
The house is St. Kilda where the quilt was made

Related Quilts:

Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society
Quilt No.346HMS - Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society
Patchwork quilt has pieced blocks in the 'Ohio star' pattern in red print and white cotton, alternating with plain white blocks. Quilt has a 9cm frill in red and grey geometric print cotton, machine stitched around the edge. Quilt appears to have some hand quilting. No padding. Backing is white cotton.
2210 x 2060mm
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block
Joyce Lannin
Quilt No.1023JL - Joyce Lannin
A hand sewn quilt of more than 6,536 hexagon pieces in cottons, silks and polyester mix. There is a centre circular pattern of hexagons within a larger hexagon and small hexagons form larger hexagons in a random pattern on the quilt top. There is no padding and the backing is a plain fawn sheet with a floral edging in hexagons. 2880 x 2550 mm.
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
National Gallery of Australia
Quilt No.974NGA - National Gallery of Australia
" This well worn quilt is of pieced diamonds set into squares (221 make up the quilt). Thick woollen fabric has been used for the pieces. These are with plain dyed fabrics or tartans and checks. All work on the quilt is hand sewn. The quilt was lined with a fine blue cotton." [NGA] The quilt is not padded. 1835 x 1400mm
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block
Euroa and District Historical Society
Quilt No.501EHS - Euroa and District Historical Society
Handsewn cotton hexagons in a wide variety of patterns. Centre oval of hexagons with 2 outer rings. There is no padding and the backing is white cotton.
2490 x 2200mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
Mary Robertson
Quilt No.376MR - Mary Robertson
Domestic Wagga made from 3 bags joined (the bags feel lighter than the jute wheat or flour bags) and covered back and front with floral cotton featuring large roses in red and oranges. The cover is machined.
1750 x 840mm
Wholecloth, Domestic Wagga, Utilitarian, Typically Australian
National Gallery of Australia
Quilt No.979NGA - National Gallery of Australia
" Reversible patchwork quilt of woollen suiting/upholstery fabrics in khaki, greys, blues and browns. Both sides have different designs. The front of the quilt has 13 rows of 12 vertical rectangles flanked on either side by a column of 22 horizontal rectangles. The reverse has a more interesting and complex design of small and very large rectangles, squares and triangles; with khaki contrasting with the duller greys and blues. The patchwork layers are joined at the edges with machine stitching and the quilt is machine quilted along 3 horizontal lines following joins in the patchwork; therefore not being totally straight. These lines are more noticeable on the reverse. The reverse face has been on display at the NGA." [NGA] There is a cotton blanket used as padding. 2054 x 1451mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Rectangle, Typically Australian, Tailors' samples