Quilt No.884NTNW - National Trust of Australia (NSW)

Description:
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.
History:
The quilt was made by Charlotte Housley in England probably about 1850. It came to Australia in 1989 and was donated to the National Trust in 1999 by Bob and Cynthia Brooks. It is now in the National Trust (NSW) collection.
Story:
Charlotte Housey (the maker) was Mrs. Brooks' (the donor) great-great aunt. Mrs. Brooks mother was born in 1911. Emma Housley was Charlotte's daughter. The machine stitching was done by Emma after Charlotte's death. The quilt came to Australia in 1989 with Mrs. Brooks after her mother's death. A second quilt existed but was thrown out by a family member years ago.
Related Quilts:
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
1370 x 1220mm
Reused parts of hand knitted woollen jumpers patched together. Wide crocheted edge from wool unravelled from jumpers retrieved from the tip.
1905 x 1525mm
1905 x 1525mm
Suffolk Puff quilt made from a variety of scraps of dress materials including cottons and terylene. It is backed with white cotton sheeting and edged with a frill of white terylene. There is a matching pillow sham.
1740 x 1300 mm.
1740 x 1300 mm.
Double sided quilt. Side 1 has an off centre frame based on a hexagon and including triangles and squares in a concentric pattern. The borders are all small rectangles with a single strip of large rectangles at one end. Side 2 has a central patch of pieced shapes appliqued to the background. The borders are squares and rectangles many in striped shirting cotton. Side 1 has minimal quilting to the interlining but it does not go through to side 2. The padding is a thin sheet.
The circle (sometimes pieced hexagons) is common to other 'Craigmoor' quilts.
1450 x 1230mm
The circle (sometimes pieced hexagons) is common to other 'Craigmoor' quilts.
1450 x 1230mm
Quilt is made of wool tailors' samples, each measuring 6 x 3 1/2 inches. The colours are predominantly navy and grey. Most pieces are striped but some more distinctly than others. Both sides are mad eof smaples, one side being mainly grey and the other almost exclusively navy. There doesn't seem to be another layer of material as padding. There is no added decoration. Made on a treadle sewing machine.
1703 x 1423mm
1703 x 1423mm
Suffolk puff quilt with puffs in a variety of fabrics. Very little cotton. Fabrics are satin, polyester, organza, wool (now moth eaten), rayon and silk. There is no padding or backing. 2450 x 2100mm