Euphemia's Quilt
January 12, 2017
2 Comments
Euphemia's Quilt
Who is Euphemia ?
Euphemia Ballinghall Maxwell came to New Zealand in 1865 to live with her sister at the Elms Mission Station Home in Tauranga. Euphemia came from Aberdeen Scotland, (also where my family heritage is from ) via Australia. You can also veiw a selection of photos of the original quilt on the Elms website.
There is a very good picture of the original quilt in the book on the history of quilts in New Zealand by Pamela Fitz Gerald 'Warm Heritage' on page 110.
If you have any information to share about Euphemia or the Elms please get in touch.
I am very excited about making my own version of this quilt, in fact more inspired about making a quilt then I have been in a long time. Maybe even since the first initial thrill of making sampler blocks in my first quilt. Although my quilt designs are based on antique quilts that have inspired me in some way, I have never taken a quilt and its history then used it completly for imspiration in this way.
I am sure Euphemia would have been amazed at the range of fabrics we have have to choose from, and tools available to make quilts now.
I will be sharing my progress along the way, and hope to visit the Elms mission in Tauranga soon to view the quilt in person.
I have made a start on the centre of the quilt, here are a couple of pitures of my progress to date. Slow..... but oh so much fun !!!
This is just the begining ! I am looking forward to sharing this journey, and would love you to follow along with me.
Happy Stitching
Sharon
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Raewyn
January 14, 2017
It sounds like it will be a fascinating journey Sharon…. I’ve often wondered about ‘replicating’ a historic NZ quilt as we see happening elsewhere – you’ve made a lovely start! PS I have roots in Aberdeen also!