Gardner Family Quilt

I received some interesting information on the Durham basket quilt that I featured recently. Linda Gardner sent me some photos of the quilt's maker, Maud Mary Gardner from Crawcrook.

The quilt is a giant one, and is entirely hand sewn. It features 36 backet blocks, with a red zigzag border.

Here is a family photo showing a bus trip to Keswick, in the Lake District. Maud Mary is on the left, with a very young Linda next to her, then Linda's mum Florence. Maud Mary gave the quilt to Florence, then it was given to Linda and later to Maddie who sold it to me.

Here is another photo of a family christening at Ryton Church. Here we have Maud Mary on the left and then Florence and her Aunt Beatrice. The date is the early 60's.

And a final photo taken at the same christening outside Ryton church doors. In the middle we have Maud Mary in front of her eldest son Joseph, then to the right Anne his wife with two children including Anne, newly christened. To the left is Aunt Beatrice.

I love these photos - they are a real time piece of an England that has now vanished. Many thanks to Linda for sharing them with me.