Quilt No.265NPW - National Parks & Wildlife Service of SA

National Parks & Wildlife Service of SA
Owner: 
National Parks & Wildlife Service of SA
Location: 
SA Country
Maker
Maker: 
Louisa Fanny Catt
Made in
AUSTRALIA SA
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Patchwork quilt of square and lozenge patches of silk, taffeta and ribbed silk patches in purples, greens, blues and reds, and pastels, in brocades, stripes, checks and plains. The block pattern is four lozenge patches around a centre square patch. A group of these patches in the dark bright colours form a central diamond, with pastel groups around. The darker colours are used to form the border of 'square' patches. Hand sewn, machine quilted. Backing of [silk], padding is cotton.
2450 x 2100mm
History: 

Believed to have been made by Louisa Fanny Catt (1841 - 1930), of Meadows (SA) around 1887. Previously owned by Mrs Catt's grand-daughter, Mrs J. Steuart, who donated it to Old Government House, Belair National Park (SA). Owned by the National Parks & Wildlife Service of SA, at Old Government House, Belair National Park. Displayed at Old Government House.

Story: 

The pattern appeared in 1882 in Caulfield's 'Dictionary of Needlework', as Pattern Mosaics 4.
The quilt was made for the Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition of 1887. As one of her 12 children owned a drapery shop, the fabrics may have come from there.
[More information available from the Display Co-ordinator, Friends of Old Government House, Box 2, Belair SA 5052]

Related Quilts:

National Gallery of Australia
"The Rajah "quilt" is a patchwork and appliquéd bed cover or coverlet. It is in pieced medallion or framed style: a popular design style for quilts in the British Isles in the mid 1800's. There is a central field of white cotton decorated with appliquéd (in broderie perse) chintz birds and floral motifs. This central field is framed by 12 bands or strips of patchwork printed cotton. The quilt is finished at the outer edge by white cotton decorated with appliquéd daisies on three sides and inscription in cross stitch surrounded by floral chintz attached with broderie perse on the fourth side. All fabrics used in the Rajah quilt are cotton with the exception of small amounts of linen and silk threads. The quilt shows evidence of being produced by many hands." [NGA] The quilt is not padded or lined. 3372 x 3250mm
National Trust of Australia (TAS)
Quilt top of hexagonal patches in silk and velvet in colours of brown, black, soft green, maroon, light yellow and blue. Some materials self patterned. Blue backing papers can be seen at edges behind some patches.
Jean Winchester
Patchwork quilt of hexagon patches with a large central group of 14 rows, then groups or 'flowers' of 6 patches placed over the rest of the quilt. The colours are red, black, white and blue, in a mixture of stripes, florals and plains. No padding. Backing is a double bed sheet. Hand sewn.
2591 x 2566mm
Alison Barlow
Quilt in traditional design called 'Seven Sisters'. Seven stars, each of six diamonds are set against a cream background, surrounded by bright pink triangles. Hand pieced and hand quilted. Padding is cotton, and backing is cream calico. 2100 x 1850 mm.
Annette Gero
This quilt consists of many blocks of different colours with etchings and verse from the bible machine appliqued on to a red backing material. It is a kit quilt.
2580 x 24100mm
Margery Creek
Cotton quilt made in the USA. The pattern is 'Nine Patch'. The quilt is machine pieced and hand quilted. The backing is cotton material possibly shirting. The padding is cotton.
1702 x 1702mm