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This contemporary looking variation of a wholecloth quilt is thought to have been made by quilt teacher Nellie Ellison in the Castleside area of County Durham circa 1910. The quilting patterns used to decorate the strips are typical of those used in the North Country, and include the Cable Twist, Weardale Chain, Plait, freehand feathers and scrolling. Although made as a practical bedcover, this quilt has survived in excellent condition, and the presence of original blue pencil markings indicate that it has never been washed.
Wholecloth quilting, where the emphasis is on the quilted design rather than patchwork piecing, was popular in Wales, the Scottish Borders and the North Country. At this time, professional quilt ‘stampers’ could be employed to draw on quilting designs to quilt tops sent to them, or sold ready-made and drawn tops for customers to quilt at home. However, it is possible that Nellie would have drawn her own pattern rather than sending it away to be marked by another stamper.
226cm x 241cm
The Quilters' Guild Collection is held by The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles.
Registered charity no 1067361 Company limited by guarantee registration no 34476331 Charity in Scotland no. SC043174.
© 2024 Quilt Museum and Gallery, York | Printed from: quiltmuseum.org.uk/collections/wholecloth/all/1880-2019/triple-x-quilt.html