Patchwork

Today's the day ................... for an educational blip

These are some of the patchwork squares that make up the Rajah Quilt. It was made by some of the 179 female transportees aboard the ship Rajah, which embarked from Woolwich on 5 April 1841 on the 105-day voyage from England to Hobart Town, Australia.

The women were provided with needles, thread and patchwork pieces by the British Ladies' Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female Prisoners, established in 1816 by the Quaker, Elizabeth Fry. She was concerned with the plight of these women, whose crimes were often very petty. The work of quilting would be an occupation during the long, tedious journey and would provide a testimonial to skill as a needlewoman on arrival in Australia.

A close look at the quilt shows that there was a considerable variation in the skill of the embroiderers. Among the women on that voyage of the Rajah were 15 whose occupations were listed as tailoring or needlework. However, there are small bloodstains still on the quilt - probably from the pricked fingers of some of the less-skilled workers.

It is an extraordinary work of art - a product of beauty from the hands of many women who, while in the most abject circumstances, were able to work together to produce something of hope ...........