Patriotic signature quilt

Signature quilts like this were a popular fundraising device during the First World War in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Britain and the United States. This quilt was embroidered in 1917 by Mrs F Blee, Maggie McLeod and Rebecca Adams of East Winton, Southland, New Zealand.

People paid to have their names embroidered onto a quilt by a skilled sewer. Names, decorative motifs, and the names of towns and communities could be included. The majority were embroidered in red on a white ground.

When completed, the quilt was either auctioned or raffled to raise more money for patriotic purposes, such as sending 'comforts' to soldiers overseas.