Historic NSW Hexagon Quilt Top Unearthed

The Quilt Study Group of NSW has a fascinating request: to identify the maker of a lovely half-inch hexagon quilt top. The owner is a 90 year old. She did not make it but she believes it was made by a member of her family, which has links to the families of NSW Governor Philip Gidney King and the retailer David Jones.


The hexies are backed with papers which could help with this identification.

The owner would like it to go to an institution where it can be seen and admired, possibly the Powerhouse Museum. If we can identify the maker this would be a great bonus. The QSG of NSW is keen to take on this project and we will start with a debate on the thorny question: what should be done with an item such as this? Watch this space for developments.

Annette Gero and Karen Fail talk for the Powerhouse Museum History Week in September

As part of the 'Quilts and Communities Seminar' that is being held as part of History Week at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre, Castle Hill,  Annette Gero and Karen Fail have been asked to talk   about two of the quilts in the Museum's collection that they have studied. The talk will be held on Wednesday the 12th September 2012 at Castle Hill.


Karen will talk about  Aunt Clara's quilt. This beautiful embroidered patchwork quilt is named 'Aunt Clara's quilt' for Mrs Clara Bate (nee Hughes). Family history suggests that Clara worked on the quilt all her life and that its imagery reflects both her daily life and its significant events. See http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=259537 for more details.

Annette will talk about military uniform quilts in the Powerhouse's collection.

The theme for History Week is 'Threads'.

The seminar is a unique event that will be held at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre, 172 Showground Road, Castle Hill. It will look at the power of quilts to mobilise and connect communities and will include a range of professional speakers and case studies. The seminar is perfect for museum professionals working with collections and communities, as well as those interested in textiles and museum collections.

See http://historycouncilnsw.org.au/history/post/how-the-power-of-quilting-connects-communities/ for more details.

Update on booking details: You do need to book for this event for catering purposes and you cannot pay for this at the Powerhouse in Ultimo. There is now a surcharge for credit cards used for admission costs which range from .4% to 2.75% depending on which card you use. See
http://castlehill.powerhousemuseum.com/pdf/events/Connecting_Communities_Seminar_Flyer.pdf
for more details.

Judy Hooworth's 26th May 2012 talk to the QSG of NSW

Looking forward......looking back......  30 years of contemporary quiltmaking

Judy Hooworth, the 2012 winner of the Rajah Award, will give an illustrated talk about the history of quilt art in Australia from her perspective; and specifically how her own work developed and evolved and continues to evolve today. 

Black Water #9

Judy will look at how The New Quilt has changed and how it has influenced her work and the work of fellow artists.

Join us in the Charles Kerry Meeting Room on level 5 at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney at 2pm on Saturday the 26th of May. There is no entry fee to the Powerhouse Museum if you are coming to the talk. Guild members pay $5 and non-Guild members $15 to attend. Afternoon tea is provided.