Quilt No.384LO'G - Lynette O'Grady
1930 x 1740mm
The quilt was made by the ladies of the Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for Lily Balmour in America (probably Salt Lake City) about 1915. Lily, who was the great aunt of the present owner, gave it to her sister, the owner's grandmother, probably in the 1930s when she had returned to Australia. On her death it passed to her daughter, Lynette O'Grady's Mother (1950s) and then to Lynette in the late 1970s
"The quilt was made for my great aunt Lily Balmour (nee White). Lily was married to an American - Alma Balmour, who was an elder / Missionary in the Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint. She travelled with him for his work and after a period in America they were returning to Australia and the ladies of the church made her the quilt as a parting gift. My great aunt eventually gave the quilt to my grandmother (her sister). Because of her constant travelling she had to limit her luggage. The quilt was on the bed in the spare room at my grandmother's home for many years. My grandmother being a very 'practical' woman, as the quilt began to wear, cut it down the center to put the inside out. On her death my mother had it for a while and then she gave it to me. Thirteen years ago we had a house fire. It survived with some scorch marks. We are not sure of the age of the quilt. My Mother is now in a nursing home and is vague about its history."
[Lynette O'Grady 1.8.98]
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Each of the patchwork pieces (there are several thousand present) are sewn together with very fine overcasting stitches. The quilt is entirely hand sewn. There is some evidence that templates from the hexagon pieces possibly blotting paper, remain in situ���The quilt is not padded or quilted. The lining is fine twill weave cotton printed in pink and pale purple. The design follows William Morris's 'Strawberry Thief design'." [NGA] 2075 x 1911mm
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