Quilt No.389AC - Ann Cuthbert

Ann Cuthbert
Owner: 
Ann Cuthbert
Location: 
NSW Sydney
Maker
Maker: 
Mrs Wight
Made in
USA
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Patchwork quilt of hexagons in pattern known as 'Grandmother's flower garden'. All cotton. Rosettes are set in a white 'path' with the centre and first ring in solid colours and the second ring prints. There is a yellow border and an outer border in pink. It is hand pieced and hand quilted. The padding is cotton and the backing is white cotton with 2 border edges in light and dark blue. These borders were originally part of the top. There is an inscription "Dear daughter from Mother".
2390 x 1880mm
History: 

The quilt was made in California, USA, by the owner's great, great, great grandmother whose name was Wight and who had come from the Isle of Wight. It is thought to have been made in 1892 and it passed by maternal descent through the next 5 generations. The surnames of the next 3 generations of women are: Stid (great, great GM), Northam (great GM), Whipple (GM). The quilt then passed to Ann Cuthbert's mother, Elizabeth Whipple (later MacGregor) and then to Ann.
The quilt is not used.

Story: 

There is a history of handwork in the family. The quilt has rarely been used as it was too fragile but Ann Cuthbert recalls it being on her bed as a teenager. Ann came to Australia when she was 10 years old.
It is thought that Mrs. Wight (born 1811) made the quilt for her daughter's birthday.
[Ann Cuthbert requested that the following information be included: The quilt is now with her daughter-in-law (son deceased) in Finland and the address is: Marja Cuthbert, Selininkatn 1 A 13, 33240, Tampere, Finland.]

Surnames are: Wight (seated), Stid, Northam and baby Whipple c.1876
Surnames are: Wight (seated), Stid, Northam and baby Whipple c.1876

Related Quilts:

Diane Kern Hamilton
Dresden plate quilt with pointed pieces set around a white centre. Fabrics are checks, floral patterns and plains of the 1930s. The twenty blocks are sashed with plain mauve fabric which does not meet evenly in some places. The padding is two layers of cotton bedspreads. The backing is open weave rough quality cotton.
1860 x 1550mm.
Diana Cameron
Small patchwork piece possibly made from salesman's samples. There is no opening in the back so it is not a cushion cover. There is no padding. The backing is green polished cotton. There is a 40mm fringe around the edge.
520 x 520mm
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
Art Gallery of South Australia
Frame cot quilt in cotton fabrics, the centre square in a paisley print surrounded by two plain borders or frames, then two frames pieced in alternate light and dark triangles, then a frame in a floral print. Outer border is of red fabric, longer at top and bottom to make a rectangle. No quilting. Machine sewn.
1050 x 770mm
La Dona Anick
Red and white cross stitch quilt. Central white panel with red cross stitch embroidery featuring flowers and leaves. Red panels as borders with white embroidery, also flowers and leaves. Machine pieced. Hand quilted in an espalier pattern. There is a fine padding and the backing is homespun. 2200 x 1970mm