Click on a quilt square to view a close-up of that square, and add your comments
Almost 140 names are embroidered on this large signature quilt (height: 247 cm; width: 213 cm) as well as dozens of initials, decorations and place-names.
The quilt records the result of fundraising efforts by the Busy Bee group at Heidelberg’s Scots Church.
Contributors lived in various Melbourne suburbs and elsewhere in Victoria. They came from church groups, community organisations, businesses, government and through family and social networks. Many signatories were Presbyterians but some were members of the Church of England. Other Christian denominations may also be represented.
Do you know more about the people, places and organisations represented on the quilt? We are gradually adding the results of our research. Please add your knowledge to ours, by commenting on individual squares.
Search for words on the quilt and in our explanations about many of the squares
Use the search box at the foot of this page.
Search for districts and themes on the quilt
Click here to view or download our PDF Guide to the embroidered squares. It has colour-coding for various suburbs of Melbourne. There is also colour-coding for children and the names of flowers. Please note that this PDF was prepared in May 2019. We now know considerably more about many of the people and places on the quilt, and will prepare a revised PDF when time permits.
Search by grid reference
Hover your mouse over the large photograph of the whole quilt, and click on the square of your choice.
For a summary of the quilt’s history and a detailed description of the embroidery, fabrics and construction, visit the quilt’s listing with Australia’s National Quilt Register.
The exhibition at our Museum in the Old Heidelberg Court House explores five themes:
The exhibition was shortlisted and commended in the 2019 Victorian Community History Awards.
To safeguard the health of our visitors and volunteers, the Heidelberg Historical Society Museum and Research Centre is currently closed for an indefinite period from 17 March 2020.
The exhibition has been extended to end November 2020, should the museum resume openings later this year.
A note for the future: Our Museum is located in the Old Heidelberg Court House at the corner of Jika Street and Park Lane, Heidelberg. Opening hours are Sunday afternoons from 2 pm to 5 pm. Admission $5. Members and children under 16 free of charge. When we are able to reopen the Museum, we will update this web-page.
If you have questions about the quilt or the Society’s Museum, please contact Heidelberg Historical Society:
This information and the photographs have been supplied by the Heidelberg Historical Society Inc.
Research into the quilt and its contributors has been conducted by members of the Heidelberg Historical Society, with kind assistance from many others (including descendants of several of the people whose names are on the quilt). The research is ongoing and we welcome help from anyone willing to volunteer their time and expertise.
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