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
Dorothy Stevens
Quilt No.88DS - Dorothy Stevens
Utilitarian quilt. Padding consists of recycled hand knitted jumper pieces (mainly 3 ply crepe and 8 ply) tacked to a layer of cotton material with strong buttonhole twist thread. The top is a piece of cotton fabric. Machine quilted in rows approximately 70mm apart.
1827 x 1423mm
Wholecloth, Re-used clothing or blanket, Utilitarian, Typically Australian
Efthimia Toubakaris
Quilt No.273ET - Efthimia Toubakaris
Wholecloth quilt of golden brown cotton satin, the reverse side of pink cotton satin. Central quilting pattern of interlaced curves, within 3 rows of parallel stitching, then a border pattern of an interlaced knot design, the edge finished with 2 rows of parallel quilting. Filling of cotton. 2010 x 1920 mm.
2010 x 1920mm
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element, Greek
National Gallery of Australia
Quilt No.971NGA - National Gallery of Australia
"The coverlet is of cream cheesecloth, highly decorated with applied figures and pieced fabric bands. The appliqué bands follow the edge of the coverlet for some time and then become circles radiating from the centre. The bands form two framed circular areas that carry appliquéd images. A smaller area lower centre of the cloth depicts birds and insects. In the centre of the work is a bordered oval with two aboriginal figures, an angel, kangaroo, emu and kookaburra, with the words 'Advance Australia Fair' embroidered in black thread. The stitching and construction of the coverlet is quite crude." [NGA] The quilt is not padded or lined. 1640 x 1550mm
Embroidered and/or Appliqued, Motifs or Names, Pictorial, Wholecloth, Typically Australian
Anastasia Penklis
Quilt No.918AP - Anastasia Penklis
Traditional hand stitched Greek quilt, the top piece (in Greek a 'Stoffa') is of blue brocade with a gold pattern of roses and leaves. The border and backing are made from gold brocade woven with a daisy pattern (the same material as is in sister Ann Kyranis' quilt). The padding is cotton wool.
2100 x 1740mm
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element, Greek