Quilt No.158OHS - Omeo Historical Society

Omeo Historical Society
Owner: 
Omeo Historical Society
Location: 
VIC North East
Maker
Maker: 
Ada and Mary Pendergast
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Quilt of white cotton octagonal patches made from bleached flour bags. Each patch has 8 segments which are stitched so that the middle of the segments puff up. Quilt has a frilled edging and a cotton backing.
It was made to suit a narrow single bed.
History: 

Made by Ada and Mary Pendergast, two of the daughters of Elizabeth Pendergast (Mrs John Pendergast) c.1890. Purchased by the Omeo Historical Society in 1973 at the Penders Court Homestead Clearing Sale.

Story: 

"� Good information on the quilt is scarce. To the best of my knowledge the quilt was made by two of Mrs John Pendergast's daughters, Ada and Mary around the turn of the century. I have also enclosed some photocopies from Mrs Jane Vine Pendergast's book Pioneers of the Omeo District, which you may find helpful. The quilt itself does not seem to have any filling and its design is of octagons made up of pipe shape segments �"
[Brett.R.Lee Omeo Historical Society 22.1.96]
Brett advised later that the quilt is called a 'snow' quilt.

The Pendergast women at Pender's Court homestead
The Pendergast women at Pender's Court homestead

Related Quilts:

The Embroiderers' Guild of S.A.Inc Museum
This Adelaide Chronicle wildflower quilt has alternating squares of green and fawn headcloth embroidered with Australian wildflowers on the fawn squares and stylised floral motifs on the green squares. It is bordered and backed with the same green material. It is padded.
2350 x 1530mm
National Trust of Australia (SA)
Patchwork frame quilt made from cotton prints. Quilt centre has four pieced squares set within a star shaped border of square patches, set within a square frame (74cm square) edged with half triangles, then set within a red frame (114cm x 114 cm), diamond shaped or 'on point'. In the 4 triangles are double diamond shapes, then a wide border of squares and 'square within a square' patches with red triangles. Red binding. Padding is probably wool. Backing is a cotton print in browns in a floral paisley. All over quilting. Handsewn.
1880 x 1850mm
Nancy Dunlap
Quilt top in block design based on hexagons in a variety of patterned cotton with a plain pink hexagon in the centre. The hexagons are linked by triangles of pink cotton. Cottons include florals, stripes, checks, tartans and novelty prints. 2080 x 2300mm
Jindera Pioneer Museum
Quilt made of 26 x 13 rectangles of woollen men's suiting samples. Each rectangle is about 70 x 130 mm. Wide variety of patterns, mainly stripes, and colous. The padding is part of a worn cream blanket and joined pieces of woollen clothing. The backing is a well worn piece of brushed cotton. Machine made.
11900 x 1870 mm
National Trust of Australia (TAS)
Small rectangular bed cover, probably child's or even doll's, made from rectangles of cream linen stitched together with hand sewn french seams. The top surface is decorated with small squares and rectangles of coloured silk, velvet, wool and cotton attached approximately 25mm apart, with 3 stitches in centre of patch to attach to background. Bright pink wool patches stand out.
935 x 635mm
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