Quilt No.658RW - Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace
Owner: 
Ruth Wallace
Location: 
QLD Central West
Maker
Maker: 
Mrs Wicks ?
Made in
AUSTRALIA QLD
Date: 
1921 - 1940
Description: 
A hand stitched top in randomly placed diamond shapes in mixed materials, mainly cottons. These are stitched to a flannelette backing. There is herringbone stitching around the border.
1250 x 930mm
History: 

It is thought the maker was probably a Mrs. Wicks and that the quilt was made in Qld before the 1940s. Mrs. Wicks gave it to Betty Wallace, the late mother-in-law of the present owner, when the children were babies. Later Betty was going to throw it out but gave it to her daughter-in-law Ruth instead. "I used it for quite a few years. My youngest daughter liked it so much, when the condition of the quilt prevented it from being used - I made her a (sort of) copy and so became hooked on quilting myself." [RW]

Related Quilts:

National Gallery of Australia
"This quilt follows the traditional hexagon patchwork pieced pattern, which are then joined and sometimes edged with a contrasting border. The edges of the quilt have been turned and then scalloped edges made of identical patches to the main body of the quilt have been attached to the edge. The quilt is fully lined, and the lining is visible front the front face through the gaps between the scalloped edge. The lining is attached to the patchwork with a row of stitches along the edges; there are no stitches in the centre field. The fabrics of the quilt are plain weave cotton in simple floral and geometric designs. Most of the fabrics are monochromatic. Several different colour ways of the same fabric are evident which could suggest some fabrics were from manufacturer samples. The lining is a William Morris print.
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
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
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Gabrielle Carter
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Jindera Pioneer Museum
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