From flower power to war! You just never know where my blog is going to lead to next... 


Every now and then along comes a quilt show that I get really excited about. This year Manly Art Gallery and Museum is exhibiting a show of War-Time Quilts curated by quilt historian Annette Gero. The show will include quilts from the Napolenic wars of 1803, the Crimean War, WW1 and WW2. This is a rare collection of antique quilts and will be no doubt worth seeing by quilters and history buffs alike. 



I'm looking forward to seeing quilts made from army uniforms, materials like heavy woollen serge and worsted twill, some with applique flowers, and motifs like marching bands and Indian quilts that have crowns made from beadwork. Many of these quilts were made by men. 
There will be quilts and waggas made with blankets, "make do" quilts made in a time when there were shortages of wool and fabric. 
Apparently there will be a quilt "made from army epaulettes sewn onto an army blanket These are red, blue and grey. The epaulettes were machined onto the army blanket in rows and as such have a wonderfully dramatic overall effect."
Hello? A quilt of epaulettes?! - Oh my golly!!! I'm busting to see that!!

Annette has compiled the history and fascinating stories behind the quilts in a book - War Quilts: And Charming Appliques From Military Fabrics with 240 pages full colour, 130 full page quilts and 300 other photos. I'm a photo person so I love those big glossy full page quilts, and detail shots. There is a special offer of 30% off if ordered prior to publication. To order a book email Annette -  annettegero@bigpond.com

The exhibition will be running from the 3rd of July until 22 November 2015 so there's plenty of time to see it. Mr Daisy and I have already got our day planned. A refreshing ferry trip to Manly, a full morning of viewing amazing quilts, then fish and chips for lunch on the beach watching the waves. It doesn't get much better than that!


I saved a favourite quilt till last. Imagine english paper piecing thousands of 1 inch squares and diamonds made using heavy service uniform materials. This masterpiece is simply known as the "Indian Army Quilt" because some of it's colours are said to be the regimental colours of the Indian Army. I figure it's a quilt that's got to be seen to believed.