Quilt No.1007PH - Pearl Holland

"The name (Martha Washington's Flower Garden) was given to Pearl by Mrs Brent Clarke who was President of Quilters Association in Melbourne at one stage. In the 1920's, Pearl had seen her mother's friend working on a quilt with this pattern, so these quilts are from her own memory of what she saw then. She used sample materials from Sekers Wholesalers in Melbourne who gave her the pieces still in their bundles after she was introduced with a letter from a local Castlemaine draper (Max Rigg)."
"Pearl Holland (nee Chanter) was born at Numorkah in N.E. Victoria in 1910. She has always been interested in craft work and has tried many forms including weaving, leatherwork, copper and enamelwork, quilting, tatting, crochet work (hairpin crochet using fine wool from Castlemaine Woollen Mill - blankets were made from this), cane goods, knitting, wood carving, macrame, china painting and many forms of embroidery. She was a member of the Victorian Embroiderer's Guild and presented workshops around the Midlands area during 1960's and 1970's. Samples of her copper and enamel work are on display under the banner of the Stanley Ellis School at Castlemaine Art Gallery. After retiring to Queensland with her husband in late 1970's, Pearl has continued her craft work interests and at age 91 (Sept 2001) still creates creditable work. A present project is a colourful knee rug for her daughter in law." [Pearl Holland]