Sheriff Hutton Bazaar Coverlet

Maker:

Sheriff Hutton Wesleyan Church

Date:

1898

Turkey Red twill and white cotton square patchwork signature quilt, with alternating red and white squares around a central embroidered white patch set on point. An image of Sheriff Hutton Castle is embroidered in red thread in the central square, with the embroidered text ‘Sheriff Hutton Wesleyan Bazaar May 30 1898 Opened by J Coates Esq. C.C J.P.’ Each square is embroidered with initials or signatures, with up to five names on each square. The whole coverlet is edged in a double frill of red and white. The squares are hand stitched but the frills have been added by machine.

The Coverlet was made to be sold at the Sheriff Hutton Bazaar in 1898. Like many signature coverlets, this would have been a fundraiser for the church, as each person would have paid to have their names embroidered on a square. There is an associated note with the coverlet which reads ‘This counterpane was made for a Bazaar in 1898. There are 100 squares with an average of 5 names on each. Presumably a charge would be made for each name, and if this was 1/- each he result would be £25, and if someone bought the counterpane – it would be a profitable effort. Note the even stitches and perfectly joined sqaures'.