Quilt No.983VD - Virginia DeFriest

Virginia DeFriest
Owner: 
Virginia DeFriest
Location: 
VIC Melbourne
Maker
Maker: 
Mother Bryant'
Made in
USA Arkansas
Patterms
Patchwork, Mosaic
Date: 
1921 - 1940
Description: 
Called an 'Easter Egg' pattern by the owner. Whole quilt is pieced from the same small shapes in printed and plain cottons. It is all hand stitched. The padding is cotton wadding and the backing plain white muslin. 2220 x 1840 mm
History: 

This quilt is thought to have been made by 'Mother Bryant' in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas USA c.1925. It was made for the present owner's husband, James Ellis DeFriest, at the time of his birth in 1925 and was to be a wedding quilt when he married. In 1950 he and Virginia were married in California. Following her husband's death, the quilt is with Virginia in Australia. It is used occasionally.

Story: 

"I was told it had been made by 'Mother Bryant' who lived somewhere in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas, USA. It had been presented to my late husband when he was born in 1925. 'Mother Bryant' was not a relation but presumably a close family friend. My husband was born in Springdale, Arkansas.
I first saw it when my husband and I married in California, 1950. We slept under it in many countries as my husband's work moved us to Kenya, Sierra Leonne, New Zealand, Ghana and Australia. As the older (previously used?) pieces wore out I have been replacing them and have put new edging around the quilt." [Virginia DeFriest]

James Ellis DeFriest as a baby c.1926. Next to him, Virginia and James son, Jim. Below, the owner's mother and father-in-law in 1950.
James Ellis DeFriest as a baby c.1926. Next to him, Virginia and James son, Jim. Below, the owner's mother and father-in-law in 1950.
Thought to have been taken on the Arkansas family property c.1925
Thought to have been taken on the Arkansas family property c.1925

Related Quilts:

Narryna Heritage Museum
Quilt No.512NHM - Narryna Heritage Museum
Cotton quilt in 'Wedding Ring' pattern. Background material is calico type in cream and the rings are in pastel colours, yellow, pink, blue and green prints and plains. It is hand pieced and hand quilted and the edges of the quilt are scalloped and finished with a pale pink binding. The backing is cotton and the padding is cotton.
2200 x 1900mm
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block
Annette Gero
Quilt No.841AG - Annette Gero
Hand pieced frame quilt with centre frame of hexagons and radiating borders of cotton and chintz. There is a heart at each of the 4 corners on the second border. It is hand quilted. There is no padding.
1900 x 1900mm
Patchwork, Frame
Dianne Gorringe
Quilt No.514DG - Dianne Gorringe
Patchwork quilt/cloth with strong overall design of very small squares. The colours are navy, red, cream, green (khaki) and fawn. There is a wide fringe on all sides. There is no padding. The backing is cotton sateen.
1240 x 126mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Military
Roslyn Beattie
Quilt No.371RB - Roslyn Beattie
Patchwork quilt made from different sized rectangles, in new materials, including cotton, lightweight velvet, lining silk, crepe, seersucker, and satin. All fabrics are of even weight. Colours are mainly light, with pinks, greens and blues predominating. No padding or backing. Quilt was not finished.
2050 x 1250mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Rectangle
The Pioneer Women's Hut
Quilt No.606PWH - The Pioneer Women's Hut
Machine pieced crazy patchwork quilt in plain, floral and striped cotton materials. Some pieces are seamed and others are sewn direct on to calico backing. Each piece is outlined in red stranded cotton in herringbone stitch.
2150 x 1770mm
Patchwork, Pieced Random, Crazy
Valinda Gale
Quilt No.161VG - Valinda Gale
Patchwork quilt made from squares of cotton prints in florals, stripes, spots and checks, joined together in rows. Colours are predominantly blues, reds, yellow and pastels. Binding is of turquoise blue fabric. Materials appear to be from the 40s or 50s. Patches caught in the middle with a woollen knot - red, yellow, blue wool. No quilting. Backed in blue fleecy flannel.
Single bed length and width.
Patchwork, Mosaic, Square