Quilt No.603PWH - The Pioneer Women's Hut

The Pioneer Women's Hut
Owner: 
The Pioneer Women's Hut
Location: 
NSW Riverina
Maker
Maker: 
Delia Nell
Made in
AUSTRALIA NSW
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
The quilt is constructed from machine pieced diamond shaped striped flannel materials. The backing is the same. The padding is not visible but is thought to be worn out woollen clothing, unpicked and ironed flat.
1520 x 970mm
History: 

The quilt was made by Delia Neil in 1942 (when she was 26) from salesman's samples of pyjama material from a menswear store in Kandos NSW. It was then owned by Ruth Piotrowski of Canberra who donated it to The Pioneer Women's Hut. It is occasionally displayed at the museum.

Delia, second on right with daughter Daphne. Ruth Piotrowski's wedding.
Delia, second on right with daughter Daphne. Ruth Piotrowski's wedding.
Sunday picnic. Delia at the table. Kandos district, 1935
Sunday picnic. Delia at the table. Kandos district, 1935

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National Gallery of Australia
"This is not a true quilt, but a pieced coverlet with a lining. The entire front face of the quilt is of pieced hexagonal and part hexagonal printed cotton patches. Pieces are joined with hand sewn over casting stitches of many different coloured cotton threads. The joining of the patches forms a 'daisy' pattern in some areas and in others it is random. The edge of the front face of the quilt carries a 40mm strip of cotton Chinoiserie which is then folded to the reverse of the quilt and becomes part of the lining. The template for the hexagon patches remains in many of the patches: writing paper and news print." [NGA]
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