Quilt No.1088JW - Joyce Wynn
This quilt was made by a cleaning woman who worked for the Pickerings in South Shields, County Durham, in about 1908. She also made quilts to supplement her income. Mrs. Pickering paid one pound for it for her daughter Elsie. Elsie Ann Wynn (formerly Pickering) 1900-1998 owned the quilt until it passed to the present owner, her daughter-in-law, Joyce Wynn. The quilt was used regularly by Elsie until 1994 and is now used occasionally.
"Dear Joyce
On the other side of this is a very rough sketch of my quilt but perhaps it will give you an idea of it. It was made by a woman who, in the old days was called a charwoman. She came once or twice a week to do housework and she also took away a large washing basket of dirty clothes weekly, which she brought back beautifully ironed, all for what nowadays would be called a pittance.
Her husband was a surface worker at a local coal mine, he worked nights and according to his wife he was lazy and slept all night at work, as you can imagine he was frequently out of work.
The quilts were made for about (a pound) and my mother had several which were worn out and probably thrown out, the one I have is in use and in good condition and must have been made in 1908 or thereabouts.
Love from Michael's Mum" [copy letter from Joyce Wynn. The charwoman also made quilts to supplement her income.]
Related Quilts:
Stavroula re-covered this quilt with this material about 20 to 25 years ago. Originally the quilt had a yellow gold satin top with yellow gold cotton backing. Padding is cotton wadding.
1900 x 1600mm
2338 x1981mm
The edges of the quilt have been cut to form scallops and the raw edges here are secured with a binding of fabric similar to that used on the front face of the quilt. All work on the quilt appears to be hand sewn." [NGA] The quilt is not padded. 2655 x 2150mm
2160 x 1650mm