This is a good example of the type of early 20th century Australian quilt known as a wagga. Waggas were typically made from swatches of men's suiting fabrics taken from outdated tailors' sample books between about 1930 and 1940, at a time when the economy was depressed and materials were in short supply. A good design sense is clearly expressed in this example with its strong tonal contrasts, zigzag pattern and red crosses at the corners.

The quilt has been machine-pieced throughout, with hand stitched crosses in red cotton at the corner of each block.

The date of the quilt has been assigned on the basis of its type, which is typical of many similar quilts made from tailors' sample books in the 1920s and 1930s.

The quilt was purchased by the museum from Simpson Antiques of Woollahra in 1990. No information about the previous owners was available.

Quilt, patchwork, wool suitings, Australia, 1925-1940.
The quilt has been machine-pieced from rectangular swatches of men's woollen suiting fabrics in shades of blue, gray and black, and in various weaves including stripes, checks, chevrons and spots. The swatches are offset at right angles to each other in such a way as to create strong zigzag bands of light and dark along the length of the quilt. The join at the corner of each swatch is marked with a hand-stitched cross in red cotton. The backing has been removed showing the pinked edges of the suiting swatches. A yellow-brown piping band, possibly the remains of the backing, is sewn around all four sides.

Designed: Australia

Made: Australia; 1925 - 1940

90/699

2080 mm

1620 mm