Miss Grace's Quilt

History

One of the four surviving 19th Century hand pieced quilts by Mrs. Sophia Wilbow (nee Payton 1829 - 1924)who was born in Pitt Town, NSW. She married Thomas Wilbow, a farmer and publican in the Hawkesbury district, NSW. They had fourteen children, eight of whom her girls. According to her descendant Mrs. Grace Hedges, Sophia hand stitched quilts for each of her daughters. The additional remaining quilts are held in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Yass Museum and the third is held by a descendant living in Queensland.
Untill donated (1998) the quilt was used by the family of Joyce Hedges. In

Description

Hand stitched quilt in the Tumbling block design (blotting paper templates) with lining of red paisley cotton, which is also incorporated in the quilt design. Mrs Hedges stated the border consists of offcuts from nurses'unifroms.

Acknowledgements

Gifted to the organisation by Mrs. Grace Hedges (a Wilbow descendant) in 1998.