Quilt No.961NGA - National Gallery of Australia

Owner: 
National Gallery of Australia
Location: 
ACT
Maker
Maker: 
Frances Baker
Made in
AUSTRALIA NSW
Patterms
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block
Date: 
1921 - 1940
Description: 
"The front face of this quilt consists of panels of multicoloured prints pieced together into squares set between a grid of machine embroidered bands in yellow and maroon on white muslin. The fabrics are cotton and include a few early synthetics; all work is machined. The back is fully lined with yellow cotton flannelette, machined at the edge and 5cm in from the edge. The quilt is a wonderful showcase of the fabrics of the 20's and 30's." [NGA]
The quilt is not padded or quilted. 2370 x 2340mm
History: 

The quilt was made by Frances Baker in Granville NSW. The National Gallery of Australia purchased it from its owner in NSW in 1992.

Story: 

"Mrs. Frances Baker nee Garnett (1879-1958) was born in Yorkshire, Great Britain and died in Granville, New South Wales. Her parents came to Australia in 1883 and, two years later, Frances and her brother arrived to join them. The family settled in Parramatta.
In 1908 Frances married Edward A. Baker of Granville. Rheumatic fever contracted in 1912 left Frances with a severe arthritic condition. Frances continued to sew, using one of the earliest electric sewing machines that she had bought before her marriage and later, had fitted with a knee control. She could handle small pieces of material and thus the patchwork quilts came into being. Frances used the leftovers from various dresses and she made all her quilts by 1938. This work was made in Granville.

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