Name/Title

Quilt [Red Cross]

About this object

Quilt; a large, quilt made from squares of flour bag fabric. Each square is embroidered in blue with a name. The central panel is embroidered: "From Tahakopa Red Cross, Kia Ora".

The quilt is one of several made during World War Two, by the then newly formed Tahakopa Red Cross and the Country Women's Institute (CWI). Good washing material was hard to come by at the time, so the humble flour bag came into good use and was marked into squares. For one shilling per square anyone could have their mane embroidered onto it by members of the Tahakopa CWI committee. The central panel was designed by Mrs Stoddart, president of the committee. Seven pounds were raised from this quilt, and were sent to the Red Cross Headquarters.

This quilt was first used in Egypt during World War Two, after which it went to Vietnam and was used in hospitals there. Eventually it was sent to England, where it remained for many years. It was later returned to New Zealand and donated to the Owaka Museum.

Maker

Tahakopa Country Women's Institute Committee

Maker Role

Embroiderer

Date Made

c1939-1945

Place Made

Oceania, New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins, Tahakopa

Medium and Materials

processed material, textile, cotton

Inscription and Marks

Embroidered in central panel: "FROM / TAHAKOPA / RED CROSS / KIA-ORA"

Technique

embroidered

Technique

stitched

Measurements

Large

Subject and Association Keywords

modern history, 20th century, World War II (1939-1945)

Subject and Association Keywords

the family, marriage, women, women's clubs

Subject and Association Keywords

social pathology. social and public welfare, social service. social work and charity

Credit Line

From the collection of Owaka Museum Wahi Kahuika The Meeting Place "a rest on your journey".

Object Type

Textile

Object number

2011.203

Rights

All rights reserved