The following information comes from the History Trust of South Australia, on behalf of the Embroiderers’ Guild of South Australia ….

Do you know of any South Australian autograph quilts or cloths in museums or private collections? Are there any related records or photographs?

The Embroiderers’ Guild of South Australia Museum is researching the history of South Australian autograph quilts for a grant application for a major project or a number of major projects.

A history of South Australian autograph (aka signature or friendship) quilts and cloths will be compiled with details of where and when, the people and/or communities involved, photographs of actual autograph quilts and historical photos, the cause if it was for fundraising purposes, and any other related information or material.

We wish to photograph and document known examples in South Australia for an online history/exhibition or a publication which would be useful for social historians, family historians and embroiderers alike. Different themes will be explored. The Embroiderers’ Guild of SA Museum has an autograph quilt and cloth in its collection. The earliest records of autograph quilts found so far are from 1895.

If you can help, please contact Dianne Fisher, Curator of the Embroiderers’ Guild of South Australia Museum. The museum address is: 16 Hughes Street, Mile End, SA 5031. Phone: (08) 8234 1104. Email: contact@embguildsa.org.au.