Quilt No.989TL - Thelma Lithgow

Thelma Lithgow
Owner: 
Thelma Lithgow
Location: 
SA
Maker
Maker: 
Margaret Clucas
Made in
SHIPBOARD England
Patterms
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
Repeat block quilt top based on hexagons, each 350 mm diameter. Six hexagons and a centre one make a 'flower' and these are set in rows against a plain calico background. Patterned cotton fabrics are used for the hexagons, small prints, fine stripes and tiny flowers. As it is a quilt top only, there is no lining or padding. 2100 x 1800 mm
History: 

The quilt top was made by Margaret Clucas in 1882 on the ship 'Potosi' travelling from the Isle of Man to Australia. It was then owned by her daughter, Mona Harvey (born Clucas) and then her grand-daughter Thelma Muriel Mona Lithgow born 1909.

Story: 

"Margaret Clucas nee Lewin, born Isle of Man 1834, married John Clucas and migrated to Australia via England, travelling on the cargo passenger ship the 'Potosi' 1882. While travelling on the 'Potosi' Margaret made the quilt top but it was never backed. John and Margaret Clucas were both school teachers and were quickly registered in their profession on arrival in St. Australia, Constantly moving around in difficult conditions occupied all their spare time. Hence the quilt was never completed. The hexagon papers were old letters but they have disintegrated over time." [Yvonne Daniel]

John and Margaret Clucas
John and Margaret Clucas

Related Quilts:

Susan Shannon
Quilt No.701WR - Susan Shannon
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
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
Bill & Barbara Meynink
Quilt No.314BM - Bill & Barbara Meynink
Patchwork quilt made from brightly coloured printed cotton fabrics in hexagon patches hand sewn together in rosettes, and stitched by machine onto a border of green moire taffeta. No padding. Backing is green cotton satin curtain lining. There is a matching pillow sham.
2591 x 2540mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
National Trust of Australia (SA)
Quilt No.1061NTSA - National Trust of Australia (SA)
Randomly patched quilt in many different colours and fabrics. There are appliquéd shapes over many pieces including Suffolk Puffs, hearts, hexagons and other shapes. There is an embroidered inscription "A11 to S11 1829" which is thought to mean AN to SN 1829. There is no padding and the backing is white cotton.
2000 x 2200mm
Patchwork, Pieced Random
Annette Gero
Quilt No.863AG - Annette Gero
Quilt top of hexagons in silks and satins, pieced over papers in the English tradition. Some paper templates still in place. One states: 'Semi - Monthly Regular Clipper packets to New Zealand, Port Phillip, Sydney�2nd of each month..Adelaide' suggesting it may have been from a shipping timetable.
1580 x 1830mm
Patchwork, Mosaic, Hexagon
Mildura and District Historical Society
Quilt No.466MDH - Mildura and District Historical Society
Quilt of 2025 hexagons stitched together to form diamond patterns. Hand sewn using paper templates. Materials are cottons and plains typical of the thirties period. The backing is blue cotton and the quilt is bound with many rows of coloured bias binding through which is treaded window cord. There is no padding. The quilt is called 'Grandmothers' Flower Garden quilt'.
2439 x 1829mm
Patchwork, Pieced Repeat Block
Fran Williams
Quilt No.520FW - Fran Williams
Frame quilt with the centre frame featuring stars. These are English pieced and then appliqued on to the background using straight stitch on the machine. Borders are squares, rectangles and truangles. Mainly cottons. There is no padding. The backing is an old white bedspread similar to a Marcella.
1900 x 1930mm
Patchwork, Frame