Quilt No.701WR - Susan Shannon

Susan Shannon
Owner: 
Susan Shannon
Location: 
VIC Melbourne
Maker
Maker: 
Wendy Ritchie
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Date: 
1941 - 1970
Description: 
This hand pieced and hand quilted hexagon quilt is in a pattern often called 'Grandmother's Flower Garden'. The background is white and there are concentric rows of double rosettes each with a yellow centre. The colours start in the centre of the quilt with pink and then follow the rainbow. Paper templates were used. The padding is cotton (American) and the backing is cotton floral poplin.
2360 x 1730mm
History: 

The quilt was made by Wendy Ritchie in 1966 in Melbourne for her daughter Susan Jane (now Shannon). Many of the cotton florals used were scraps left from dresses Wendy made for her daughters. Susan was born in 1961 and has always owned the quilt. It was on her bed from 1966 until 1978 when she left home and is not used now.

Story: 

"I (the maker of the quilt) embroidered from the first grade at school. Joined the Embroiderers Guild Vic in 1962. Served on the committee and was President from 1980-1983 inclusive. I have taught many techniques starting with English Patchwork in the late 1960s and including a variety of creative techniques in both design and painting/dyeing, machine embroidery and hand stitchery. I was born in Geelong in 1933."
[Wendy Ritchie Melbourne 9.10.00]

Quilt maker Wendy Ritchie 1960s
Quilt maker Wendy Ritchie 1960s
Susan Jane, for whom the quilt was made, 1964
Susan Jane, for whom the quilt was made, 1964

Related Quilts:

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]
The work is not padded "The lining at the edge of the quilt (for approx.175mm) is a plain weave fabric of a Chinoiserie design. The centre field of the lining is a rectangular panel of a twill weave brushed cotton fabric with a striped floral design." [NGA] 2215 x 2070mm
National Trust of Australia (NSW)
The body of this quilt is hexagons. This centre piece is surrounded by an applique border of birds and flowers and donkeys on see-saws. The flowers have been elaborately pieced from a great variety of materials. Some of the birds have pres studs for eyes.
Oakey Historical Museum Society Inc.
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Fay Burgess
Hexagonal piece of patchwork made up of 9 rows of rosettes of hexagons in a wide variety of colours and patterns mainly in silks and velvets. It is incomplete. Backing papers are still in the outside rows and also basting threads. Hexagons are joined by fine whip stitching. It is unlined.
1370 x 1220mm