QUILT INDEX RECORD

31-27-210

Who documented this quilt?

South Africa Quilt History Project; Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

South Africa Quilt History Project

South Africa Quilt History Project Number:

CHSLM337

Person filling out this form is:

Quiltmaker

When was the form filled out?

2014

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

Everyday Reminder - R100

How wide is the quilt?

30"

How long is the quilt?

30"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Predominate colors:

Blue; Teal

Overall condition:

Excellent/like new

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

May 2014

Describe the quilt's layout:

Nontraditional or art

Subject of the quilt:

Nelson Mandela

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

Schwe-Schwe Cotton and Thread

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Applique

How is the binding made?

Separate binding applied

How are the layers held together?

Machine quilting

Quilt top made by:

van Zyl, Bettie

Quilted by:

van Zyl, Bettie

Where the quilt was made, city:

Hermanus

Where the quilt was made, province:

Western Cape

Where the quilt was made, country:

South Africa

Quilt is presently used as:

Artwork/wall hanging

Where did the quiltmaker find the pattern for the quilting design on the quilt?

Original to maker

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

Consceince of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela; International Quilt Conference Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, July 2014

Related items such as diaries, obituaries, wills, household inventories, or pictures of the quiltmaker:

MacDowell, Marsha; Mazloomi, Carolyn. Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, 2014; page 93.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's name:

Bettie van Zyl

Quilt owner's city:

Hermanus

Quilt owner's province:

Western Cape

Quilt owner's country:

South Africa

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

South African Citizen

Quiltmaker's occupation:

Textile Artist

Quiltmaker's city:

Hermanus

Quiltmaker's province:

Western Cape

Quiltmaker's country:

South Africa

Description of quilt:

Bettie van Zyl
Everyday Reminder—R100
Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa | Shweshwe cotton and cotton thread; pieced, machine appliquéd and quilted

In my research for a design for this quilt, I looked at many different images of Madiba, trying to find something that appealed to me. Time was running out and I still hadn’t found anything that “talked” to me, when I was asked to count the collection money at church. The obvious jumped out at me! Of course! The R100.00 note and Shweshwe!

I used a very friendly image of Mandela in an ethnic shirt, many elements of South African culture, geometrical ethnic patterns, and blue…all together on the front of the money note. It made for an interesting construction challenge. I made it especially for this exhibition and used a fair bit of artistic licence as it is my inspiration and I do not intend to tender the quilt as legal payment. It serves as a daily reminder of Madiba’s contribution to our democracy.

Essay:

I started sewing on a machine at the age of nine, and loved the feel of the different textures, and the wonderful colour play in fabrics. I worked through all the needlework and craft disciplines through the years, and only when I started piecing in 1983, it felt like coming home. I made this on my own from a book and didn’t know anything about quilting, except that I liked the look and feel of it. With “Quilt Safari Quilt Festival” in Johannesburg in 1991, a door was opened for me and from then on I attended every class that I heard of to increase my skills. I joined Quadrille Quilters in Florida, on the West Rand of Gauteng and have many happy memories of classes, community work, exhibitions and festivals we organised, being on the 2000 Festival Committee responsible for Sponsors.

I moved to the Cape in 2006 and joined Fynbos and Overberg Quilters in Hermanus, as well as Good Hope Quilters in Cape Town. In this beautiful area one is never short of inspiration, and I like to break boundaries with exploring new techniques and designing original work.

I have been a teacher since 1994 and love to teach others to design and create their own original work. I am fortunate to have a big studio, 6 x 12 m, full of fabric and quilting stuff, quite well organised so that I don’t have to waste energy on looking for things. From 1999 – 2003, I was Sourcing Editor for our (then) only needlework magazine and explored many more needlework and craft disciplines. I have mentored grieving mothers through their sorrow by helping them to make a quilt celebrating the child’s life and to come to grips with their loss in a therapeutic and constructive way.

I love history and was the Historian of the South African Quilting Guild for many years, documenting old quilts. Through this I have restored some old quilts and have become known as a restorer. I am working on four old quilts at the moment. Friends and family think I am quite mad, but my passion for quilting has given me lots of pleasure. I spend at least six hours per day on quilting related jobs.

A Great Quilt is one that you oooh and aaah about, and on closer inspection, is amazed by the maker’s sewing skills. Quilts can say what cannot always be put into words, and can be understood in any language. It is therefore a wonderful tool to build bridges between cultures and countries, and to highlight social and natural problems. If you are a Quilter, you have Quilt Sisters around the world! Bettie van Zyl Hermanus, RSA May 2014

Who photographed this quilt?

Dion Cuyler

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

The copyright belongs to the owner/artist.