English-style Pieced Quilt
Date made: c.1870
Description: Geometric patchwork quilt with a tumbling blocks pattern.
At the centre of the quilt are a series of six pointed coloured stars (made up of diamond shapes) set against a black background. This central panel is surrounded by a border of tumbling blocks. The clever use of colour creates an optical illusion. The top of the quilt is made of checked, striped, embroidered, plain and floral silk dress fabrics. A tartan pattern separates the central panel of stars from the border of tumbling blocks. The quilt is predominantly purple and mauve with green, blue, yellow, brown, black, pink and red featuring. The quilt is backed with four panels of purple fabric which also provides a border and binding around the edge.
The hand-sewn diamond patchwork is machine-quilted in a wave pattern onto a purple cotton backing sheet using a dark cotton thread. The quilt contains a thin layer of filling.
The patchwork quilt belonged to Mrs George Hoyle, Ballacowin farm, Onchan, around 1870 and may possibly have been made by her.
Measurements: overall: 260 cm x 244 cm x 2 cm
Materials: cotton, silk
Object name: quilt
Collection: Costume & Textiles Collection
ID Number: 1954-6911