Quilt No.20BHS - Berry & District Historical Society

Berry & District Historical Society
Owner: 
Berry & District Historical Society
Location: 
NSW South East
Maker
Maker: 
Ida Lewers
Made in
AUSTRALIA NSW
Patterms
Wholecloth, Embroidered and/or Appliqued, Signature
Date: 
1906
Description: 
It is a plain white linen double-bed sheet or bed-cover on which have been embroidered (over autographed signatures) the names of members of various associations and clubs, local MPs, visiting dignitaries etc associated with the Berry Agricultural Show of 1906. There are badges and emblems also embroidered in red or pale gold thread including the central Berry Agricultural Society Association motif surrounded by a wreath of lillipilly leaves and berries, a rebus on the name 'Berry'.
History: 

The quilt was made by Miss Ida Lewers, of 'Lyntonstowe', Pulman Street, Berry. The quilt was signed by visitors to the 1906 Berry show, and raffled at the 1907 show. It was won by Master D. McIlvride of Berry. It eventually passed to his son Keith, who married Maria Campbell of Gerringong. It was later given to Arthur and Lorna Campbell, then to the Berry Agricultural Society, who gave it, on permanent loan, to the Berry Museum NSW. "At one stage before reaching us it was thrown out in a 'pile of Auntie's old rubbish', from which it was fortunately rescued." [Elaine Mabbutt, Curator Berry Museum 26.5.95]

Story: 

"Ida Lewers was unmarried and kept house for her brother Thomas Ross Lewers who was the doctor in Berry until his death, when she left the district. She took an active part in the social life of the town and was one of the founder members of its Red Cross Association. After WWI she worked in the Red Cross shop in Berry which sold handwork made by returned servicemen. Judging by the many delightful postcards she wrote to her little nephews and nieces, which we have, she was an affectionate and fun-loving aunt!
I have no information on the uses to which the quilt was put in the McIlvride family. However when it came to us it was badly stained and I think some of the marks were tea-stains, so it may have been used as a table-cloth. � Also in some places the embroidery threads are damaged or missing, so it might at some time have received some wear."
[Elaine Mabbutt Curator Berry Museum]
The 'Berry Lancers' one group who signed the quilt top were part of the 1st Light Horse Regiment, which, in 1904, had a half squadron, or more probably a troop (approx. 30 men), stationed in Berry.

Portrait, Ida Lewers c.1916
Portrait, Ida Lewers c.1916

Related Quilts:

Yvonne Hamdorf
Quilt No.1016YH - Yvonne Hamdorf
Wholecloth pram quilt with a top of pink cotton sateen, and the reverse is a more finely woven, ivory, fabric. All over quilting design as main feature, with stylised hearts, leaves and cross hatching. The padding is cotton batting. 870 x 660 mm.
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element
John Tomkin
Quilt No.1005JT - John Tomkin
Hand stitched, cotton, appliquéd, quilt in a flower pattern on a plain background. Colours are shades of green, apricot and browns. This quilt was known as a 'Bride's Quilt'. Padding is thought to be layers of white fabric raised almost like a wadding. The backing is cotton material. 2470 x 2020 mm.
Wholecloth, Embroidered and/or Appliqued
Melinda Smith
Quilt No.382MS - Melinda Smith
Wholecloth cover in synthetic rayon. Centre plain, drop slightly gathered, edging border is large saw tooth appliqued pieces in flannelette, striped seersucker, crepe de chine. Materials typical of the 30s through to the 50s. The appliqued triangles are chain stitched in yellow thread which also anchors them to the backing.
2450 x 1940mm
Wholecloth, Embroidered and/or Appliqued
Romsey/Lancefield & Districts Historical Society
Quilt No.186RHS - Romsey/Lancefield & Districts Historical Society
Wholecloth quilt made of royal blue satin, squares around a central panel. Seam lines are covered with a faggoting stitch. All names are embroidered in satin stitch, the central motif is hand painted. The border is quilted with a repeat scroll ing pattern in hellow thread, and edges are trimmed with a fringe of small pom-poms in burgundy, gold, blue and yellow, the colours mixed in each pom-pom. Quilt is backed with yellow satin cotton. Centre has embroidered: "Lancefield/ Presbyterian/ Sale of Gifts/ February, 1896'.
1880 x 1330mm
Embroidered and/or Appliqued, Motifs or Names, Signature, Wholecloth, Typically Australian
Illawarra Historical Society Inc
Quilt No.582HIS - Illawarra Historical Society Inc
Wholecloth quilt, both sides cretonne in different rose patterns. 120mm double frill matches each side. Padding is possibly hessian bags. It is hand quilted in large stitches in white/cream cotton in strips with circles, diamonds and scrolls repeated.
2070 x 2030mm
Wholecloth, Utilitarian
West Tamar Historical Committee
Quilt No.505WTH - West Tamar Historical Committee
Wholecloth quilt with both sides of floral cotton. The padding is thought to be hessian bags.
2060 x 1300mm
Wholecloth, Domestic Wagga, Utilitarian, Typically Australian