The Ryde Bicentenary Quit, 1992

The idea of a quilt was first discussed in relation to celebrations related to Ryde's 1992 bicentenary, the 200th anniversary of the first land grants in the area. Mavis Stuart, who would become the project co-ordinator, believed that the first 200 years of European settlement in Ryde could be presented as a colourful community quilt memento. The Mementoes Task Force supported the idea and presented it to Council for endorsement and funding. Approval was granted in January 1991.

The Quilters Guild supplied a list of local quilters and artist/designer Judy Hooworth was approached to design the quilt. Council advertised for volunteers and many women brought their friends. In all, 68 women were interviewed and their skills and interests recorded.

By April 1991 Judy, after consulting with Council, had the design finalised and patterns ready for the group to start. Two workshops were held at Addington, the Ryde Bicentenary Resource Centre, where a workroom was allocated for their use. Finally, 65 women made Addington their 'home' for the project.

Many of the experienced workers quilted at home and returned beautiful finished pieces; the remainder met two days a week at Addington.

Schools, clubs and organisations in the area were contacted for a representative badge or logo. Together with local birds, flowers and some animals and people, colour and activity was given to the whole appearance of the quilt.

Designing the quilt

The artist/designer Judy Hooworth wanted to include more than just the European settlement in the design and so she needed to get a feel of the past, present and future of the Ryde area. The Ryde District Historical Society Inc. compiled a list of important landmarks; Judy read about the history of Ryde and drove around the district taking photographs of buildings.

As this was to be a community project involving volunteers, the construction of the quilt and ease of handling was a prime consideration so she decided to have the quilt made in sections that could be put together as each stage was completed. She then made a small sketch of the design (to scale) and coloured it. From there it went to the Mementoes Task Force, suggestions were made, some items deleted and other added.

Once the concept had been approved, Judy proceeded to make a full-size cartoon of the quilt. The background was made from calico and full size drawings were made which she then photocopied. Each paper drawing was attached to the mock-up and another copy became the pattern piece. The cartoon was viewed by Council and final changes made.

Making the quilt

Women selected different areas because of personal connection, such as a church, school etc. Judy encouraged them to interpret the piece in their own way, whether they preferred applique, embroidery, piecing etc. 

Each unit on the left-hand panel was appliqued on separate squares of fabric and were eventually joined by the zig zag units which had been sewn on the machine.

The central panel was made in two sections. Each building and motif was made as a separate unit using many different techniques. The finished pieces were then appliqued by hand onto the centre panels, which were then joined down the centre and the final pieces appliqued over the join. By making separate finished units, the design was flexible; a few 'extras' could be added until everything fitted. The borders were made in sections by machine appliqueing the curved pieces to a calico background. They were then assembled into two strips and the badges and logos were hand sewn onto them. When each section was finished, the four sections were sewn together and the three layers of the quilt, the top, the polyester batting and cotton backing were tacked together. The quilt was then put on a frame and quilted.

It was taken off the frame when the quilting was completed; the hanging sleeve and the binding added and lastly the delicate embroidered coat of arms were sewn to the front of the quilt.

The design

The quilt traces Ryde's history from creation to the coming of Aboriginal man and European settlement 200 years ago to 1992.

It is 300cm x 200cm.

There are three major parts to the design:

Panel 1 (top left): The sun, symbol of creation, life and energy and the climate which dictates the Australian lifestyle

Panel 2/3: these show the birds and animals of the region, the advent of the Aboriginal culture of the Wallumede tribe. The designs were based on aboriginal rock carvings of the type found in the region

Panel 4: The map of Australia and the Australian flag symbolise the continent and the growth of Australia as a nation

The zig zag linking the three parts of the design represents continuity from the past to the present and on into the future.

The large centre panel depicts the impact of European settlement in the Ryde area. Starting top left and moving diagonally and to the right, the viewer can trace the progress of the community in the depiction of buildings and landmarks of historical and cultural importance. Scattered amongst the buildings are people and flower, birds and animals of the district.   

The lower section of the central panel shows the Parramatta River and some of the craft that have used this important waterway.

The cornucopia represents the land cultivation, the orchards and the famous Granny Smith apples.

To the right of the cornucopia is the Coat of Arms symbolising local government in Ryde; looking again to the right, the dancing figures represent youth, future generations and growth.

The lower and right-hand borders show the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers linking the past with the future; movement and change.

The insignia of Ryde, City of Lifestyle Technology (lower right-hand corner) looks to the future.

The people of Ryde, their sporting, educational and cultural pursuits are represented by badges and logos of theior schools and clubs sewn over the borders.

This information has been extracted from a booklet The Ryde bicentenary quilt: a community partnership project in association with Ryde City Council, published by the Mementoes Task Force, Ryde City Council. 1992.