The University of Cambridge Newcomers and Visiting Scholars International Quilt—The Quilt Makers and their Inspirations
Quilt Square Locator
Acknowledgments To Carolyn Ferguson for her sage advice and the gift of the quilt’s floral backing calico. To Philip Ball of Pandis Photography for our professional photos and Quilt print. To Margaret Steen for providing a wonderful gift of embroidery thread. J quilts John for assistance in assembling book
Preface A quilt, known as The Masters’ Wives’ Quilt, is in the care of the Museum of Cambridge, www.folkmuseum.org.uk . It was made by women in Cambridge in 1882 as a wedding gift for a royal prince, a grandson of Queen Victoria. The quilt was never presented, as Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, second in line to the throne of the United Kingdom (born 1864), died between becoming engaged to be married in late 1891, to Princess Mary of Teck, and the projected wedding date in 1892. (Mary later married his younger brother Prince George who became George V in 1910.) Carolyn Ferguson has researched this quilt for the Museum of Cambridge and has come to realise that among many Cambridge women and girls who contributed embroidered squares to this quilt were 13 wives of Cambridge College Masters. Many of the squares used the language of flowers, typical of Victorian times, to convey emotional sentiments such as love, fertility, and faithfulness. Others portrayed elements of College crests or buildings. There is some uncertainty about the precise location of the quilt over the years before it was acquired by the Museum (formerly known as the Folk Museum) at auction. Following an inspiring talk given by Carolyn Ferguson on The Masters’ Wives’ Quilt, to Tuesday morning meeting attenders at Cambridge University Newcomers and Visiting Scholars ( www.nvs.admin.cam.ac.uk ) in the Lent term 2015, the idea that we might make an international quilt was born. The committee subsequently supported the idea and asked Janet Edwards to coordinate the project with Andrea Bronskill. The aim was to complete the quilt by the end of 2016. This was achieved. 94 Squares have been embroidered by 71 women representing more than 28 countries. Embroiderers were given fabric squares (6”x6”) and selected embroidery threads of colours of their own choosing and asked to design their square to reflect something significant to them. The following suggestions were made emblems, symbols, flags, flowers of home countries might be chosen as designs by members from other countries and that local members might choose a design associated with a Cambridge College, crest, building or other symbol of local or personal significance. Some embroidery was done at the craft groups run by Newcomers and Visiting Scholars (NVS) and at specially organised open house sewing sessions. This publication contains information on the women involved in making the international quilt and the significance of their designs. Unlike the issues of research faced by Carolyn Ferguson when working on the !9 th century Masters’ Wives’ Quilt anyone in the future wanting to discover more about the 21st century International Quilt produced by NVS will be able to tap in to a detailed record here or in a book to be published later. The international quilt has been designed and pieced by Bronwyn Carpenter (from New Zealand) and Barbara Rennard (from USA), both members of NVS, and professionally quilted by Janette Chilver, of J-Quilts, whose work has received awards and much acclaim. Janette Chilver is a professional quilter based at East Bergholt, in Suffolk, offering long arm quilting services to patchworkers and quilters who wish to have their quilts professionally machine quilted. www.j-quilts.co.uk Janet Edwards and Andrea Bronskill June 2017
A1
Hwee-Ling Gay Singapore “Nonya Kebaya “ This traditional costume is worn by the women of the Peranakan community in Singapore. I decided to embroider this design as I’m very proud of my Peranakan Heritage.
A2 Janet Edwards UK “Mill Lane” Mill Lane points to no. 16 where we have the Newcomer’s and Visiting Scholars base. I always go by bicycle.
A3 Christine Halstead UK “Isaac Newton’s Apple” I live on Newton Road in Cambridge and thought the apple celebrating Isaac Newton appropriate.
A4 Margaret Callingham UK “Apothecary Jars and Pharmacy Symbols� A pestle and mortar, and a serpent have been symbols associated with pharmacists and apothecaries. I have been a pharmacist all my professional life.
A5 Tina Alexander UK “Pasqueflower” Grows wild on Royston Heath near Cambridge. It is very hairy. It comes in purple, dark red and white.
A6 Rosine Bonay Grimmet France “The Potter in Downing College� Rosine is a marvelous Potter and has her very own studio and kiln in college.
A7 Ryoko Naganuma Japan “Maiko with Yasaka Pagoda” I am from Kyoto in Japan. “Maiko” is an apprentice geisha. Every Maiko must undergo rigorous training in Kyoto. And they have been keeping traditions up to today. The Yasaka Pagoda is a famous sight on the Kyoto skyline.
A8 Usha Kirin Rikhraj Singapore “The Vanda, Miss Jaochim” It’s an orchid flower. It is the national flower of Singapore.
A9 Ayuko Kaahu Japan “Mt. Fuji” Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and is a symbol of Japan.
B1 Andrea Bronskill Canada “The Cambridge City Crest� I created this design to celebrate my love for Cambridge.
B2 Perrin Hardy England (USA until age 25) Musical notation (16th note.) I love music especially choral singing and the NVS group has been quite involved in choral workshops.
B3 Machiko Fujii Japan A Happi (法被, 半被) This is a traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat usually made of indigo or brown cotton and imprinted with a distinctive “mon” (crest). They are typically worn to Japanese festivals like the very popular Summer Festival.
B4 Fiona Loy Malaysia “Hibiscus Rosa, Sinensis” The hibiscus flower is the national flower of Malaysia. This 5 - petal flower is also known as the “Chinese Hibiscus” or “Bunga Raya.” While our national flag is predominantly of the red variety, I chose to embroider a pink hibiscus because it is my favourite colour. The hibiscus is literally known as the “celebratory flower” in Malay and symbolizes the courage, malice and rapid growth of the Malaysian people. The flower can be found imprinted on the notes and coins of the Malaysian Ringgit.
B5 Georgiana Quek Macau “A Lotus� This lotus is a symbol of Macau and the design was taken from the flag of Macau. In short, I am proud to represent Macau in this quilt.
B6 Marilyn Fersht UK “DNA Double Helix” The design was taken from the stained glass window in the college chapel. Marilyn is Master’s wife at Gonville and Caius College. Francis Crick was a graduate student and fellow of Gonville and Caius College.
B7 Karen Luebe USA “Charlemagne’s seal and signature from Aachen, Germany” Aachen is one of a number of cities claiming Charlemagne as their native son, since Charlemagne’s remains are in a shrine in Aachen Cathedral, the city has attracted pilgrims and tourists since his death in 814. It is claimed that despite his advances in literacy on the European continent, Charlemagne was himself not able to read or write. He therefore “signed” with his official seal which consists of the consonants of his Latin name - KAROLUS - by placing his “hook” in the centre of it. The seal is ubiquitous in Aachen; for instance it can be seen on bronze plates guiding visitors on a walking tour of the key sights in the centre of Aachen. Three plates arranged as a triangle indicate a site.
B8 Dorica-Monica Blood Romania “Map of Romania� This is a map of Romania with the national colours and flag. Also shown are national costumes and two of the famous buildings in Bucharest, the Athenaeum and the Opera House.
B9 Tina Alexander UK “St. Edmund, Martyr King.� He was killed by pagan invaders but wolves protected his severed head. His tomb is located in Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral. A college of The University of Cambridge is now named for St. Edmunds.
C1 Martha Hiromoto Brazil “Hibiscus� A popular flower in Brazil.
C2 Sally Broom UK “The common logo of the international Save the Children Alliance” It was adopted in October 1999. Save the Children is the UK’s leading international children’s charity working to create a better world for children. Save the Children was founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb. I chose to embroider this design as I am a volunteer working at the Save the Children shop in Cambridge in Magdalene St. Eglantyne Jebb worked for a while in an office in Regent St. There is a blue plaque on the outside wall commemorating her work. She wrote a book Cambridge: a brief study in social questions. 1906
C3 Karina Wells The Netherlands “Windmill” Not only a tool to provide us with flour, it saved the country against flooding and they were used to communicate “secret messages” in WWII.
C4 Sally Williams UK “Crest of Wolfson College” The crest design was chosen in Wolfson College’s 50th anniversary year. The college was founded in 1965 as University College. My husband, Sir David Williams, was president from 1980-1992 when he became Vice Chancellor of the University.
C5 Ana Martin Larranaga Spain “Orange & Apple Tree� A tree that grows English apples and Spanish oranges. I imagine it in blossom! Thanks to NVS for making me feel so welcome!
C6 Ting-Lin Liu Taiwan “Taiwanese Bear� The square depicts the Formosan Black bear, a national treasure of Taiwan. He is eating Taiwanese kebab and sipping bubble tea, some of the most common delicacies found in Taiwanese night markets. Also, the blue slippers are an iconic feature of the earlier days of the Taiwanese people.
C7 Naheed Kandil USA-born in Afghanistan “St. Catharine’s Wheel” My husband is a fellow of St. Catharine’s College.
C8 Diana Sutcliffe “English Rose” Chosen as a symbol of my country.
C9 Elizabeth Tavner UK “Girton College Coat of Arms” This was my alma mater.
D1
Elsa Strietman Britain since 1974, originally from The Netherlands “Murray Edwards College Crest� My College
D2 Bernadette Lyons Ireland “Irish Harp” An Irish symbol
D3 Sue Radford Australia (Western) “Map of Western Australia� I have used just a few of the many wonderful colours that we have in our natural environment. We have 8 biodiversity hot spots in Western Austraila one of which is internationally recognized. Come see our wildflowers!
D4 Elina Jäälinoja Finland “Silver Birch” My design is the leaf of a silver birch tree. Silver birch is the national tree of Finland. I chose this design because I wanted to make something Finnish for the quilt and because nature is very close to my heart.
D5 Caro Wilson UK “The crest of Emmanuel College Cambridge” The design was derived from the crest of the arms of Sir Walter Mildmay who founded the college in 1584. I was master’s wife there from 2002-2012 (Richard Wilson, master.) During those years, I was also chair of the NVS for a period of some years.
D6 Mujgan Isik Turkey “Tulip” It is a symbol flower of Turkey. Istanbul has a tulip festival every spring.
D6 D7 MujganFuchs Isik Renate Turkey Austria “Tulip” “Edelweiss and Enzian” It is a symbol flower Turkey.My IsTraditional flowers ofof Austria. tanbul has a tulip every grandma had thosefestival flowers in her spring. (950 M above sea level). garden Edelweiss and Enzian (gentian) seen on lots of Austrian souvenirs.
D8 Margaret Callingham UK “Queens’ College Boar” The boars' head is on the shield of Richard III, one of the 15th century patrons of Queens’ College. The shield is displayed by the college to this day. My husband is a life fellow of the college and thus I have been associated with the college over 50 years.
D9 Lina Moreno Legast Columbia “Columbian Mountains� I chose this own made design because it represents the Andean Mountains in Columbia where the amazing coffee is produced.
E1 Janet Edwards UK “Knitted Heart” I Love Knitting
E2 Mary Bachman USA “Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), Cambridge University� I chose to embroider this building in honour of my husband, Scott Bachman who had his office there for three years during his Postdoc. One of the interesting buildings designed by Edward Cullinan in 2003.
E8
Elsa Strietman Britain since 1974, originally from The Netherlands. “Murray Edwards College Dolphin� This image is taken from the college crest
E9 Mayumi Naito Japan “Miyabi� All the designs are used to embroider for Japanese traditional costume Kimono. We embroider these embroideries wishing a good future for girls or young ladies.
F1 Andrea Bronskill Canada “A knitted version of the classic Canadian ice hockey sweater” I used to live in Toronto and this is a take on the Toronto Maple Leaf’s (yes, that is how they spell the team name) uniform. Canadians are crazy about hockey.
F2 Sally Whitehead England Paint Pallet I am an artist and paint in oils. I enjoy painting using bright colours to depict images in my abstract works.
F8 Marianne Young Germany “The Gate of Old Bridge” An iconic symbol of my home town, Heidelberg. The gate welcomes visitors into the heart of the old town, just as NVS welcomes newcomers into the heart of the ancient university here. In the words of an old student song, “Gaudeamus igitur”…Therefore let us rejoice.
F9 Lingyan Chen China “Great Wall of China� The greatest military project in ancient China. It was firstly build more than 2000 years ago.. The total length is 21,196.18 Km, running from east to west, covering 15 provinces. It became a World Heritage Site in 1987.
G1 Magdalena Wolska-Kolmus Poland “The Mermaid” This square depicts a mermaid, one that has been protecting my home town, Warsaw for over 650 years. She is holding a sabre (called “Bulat”) and a shield ready to go to a battle should any danger loom over Warsaw. This particular image is the current coat of arms of the city. The city’s motto is “semper in victa” or “content procellas.”
G2 Tina Alexander UK Design taken from a Roman floor mosaic I saw in a well preserved synagogue in the ancient city of Sandis. This is where King Croseus lived until defeated by the Persians.
G4 Michiko Miyagawa Japan “The University of Cambridge Coat of Arms/ crest” As a memento of our happy life in Cambridge. My husband and I are proud of it.
G5 Marianne Young Germany “NVS Crest/Logo”
G6
Michiko Miyagawa Japan “The University of Cambridge Coat of Arms/ crest”
G8 Jing Zhu China “Chinese Dragon (Long)� We call ourselves the descendants of the dragon. The Grafton symbol is a sign of good harvest and a peaceful world with prosperity and harmony.
D9 Jane Luzio England “Morris Dancer” Morris Men dance out in public to entertain any passers-by. I play a melodeon, a musical instrument, for a Cambridgeshire ‘side’ of dancers. An ancient traditional style of dancing.
H1 Janet Edwards UK Design approved by Marianna Fletcher-Williams on behalf of the NVS choir.
H2 Anna Borsi Switzerland and Poland I am Anna and I spent 10 wonderful months here in Cambridge with my family (Nina, Marc, and Robert.) my husband was at the Judge Business School at the Univeristiy of Cambridge and my children attended international schools, which they both enjoyed.if you ask me where we’re from, there is a long and short answer. The short answer would be Switzerland, the place we have lived longer than anywhere else and where my children were born. The longer answer is more complex. I am from Poland, my homeland where I grew up. My husband grew up in Germany, yet his father comes from Hungary and his mother from Scotland. On my stitch patch, you can see all of our flags represented, with a Polish girl in traditional dress and Swiss Elderflowers flanking her sides.
H8 Tina Alexander UK “Pasqueflower” This flower grows wild on Royston Heath near Cambridge. It is very hairy. It comes in purple, dark red and white.
H9 Sue Green UK “Bell Ringing – a very traditional British Activity” This square shows a bell, wheel and rope. On the right is notation for “plain Hunt on Six” – a cycle of changing the places bells are rung to make a very characteristic peal.
I1
Ursula Lämmle Switzerland “Matterhorn in Zermatt” It is a typical Swiss scene. The flower is an edelweiss.
I2
Samaneh Ehsaninezhad Iran Paisley – Boteh Jegheh� This design is a well known Iranian pattern which is used in rug, carpet and cloths.
I3
Janet Edwards UK “Punting on The Cam at the Mathematical Bridge” After a woodcut by Andy English.
I4
Rosine Bonay Grimmett France “Tour Eiffel, blue, blanc, rouge”
I5
Madelein Newman New Zealand “The fern and the kiwi” I chose the fern and the kiwi to represent New Zealand because New Zealand’s are known as “Kiwi’s” and the fern is a well recognized symbol used on most sports teams’ uniforms, most commonly called “the All Blacks.”
I6
Andrea Bronskill Canada “The Canadian Beaver” The Beaver is an official symbol of Canada, my birth country. The Hudson's Bay Company put four beavers on the shield of its coat of arms in 1678 to show how important the hard-working rodent was to the company. A coin was created – which was known as a “buck” – that was equal to the value of one male beaver pelt
I7
Margaret Potton Scotland “The Thistle” Emblem of Scotland, my home country.
I8
Bernadette Lyons Ireland NVS Book Club
I9
Janet Edwards UK “Knitted sock “ I have knitted hundreds of socks!
J1
Tomomi Nagashima Japan This hexagonal pattern represents a turtle shell. In Japan, symbols of turtle and crane are used to make a wish for someone’s prosperity. I tried to express my wish for prosperity of Cambridge by making this quilt [square] with these symbols from my home country.
J2
Sibylle Schaefer Italy “Baby feet” My son, Moritz was born in 2015 in Cambridge.
J3
Nachi Yamada Japan “Summer Festival� Fireworks and lanterns are a common Japanese summer feature.
J4
Marianne Young Germany Design chosen by Lovedy Cornish (UK) to capture her love of music. Embroidery completed by Marianne Young.
J5 Julie Darsley UK “University of Cambridge Accommodation Service” My design is to symbolize the link between the University of Cambridge Accommodation Service with NVS … we have an historic association which began in the 1960’s when there was “The Society for Visiting Scholars” (part of the Accommodation Syndicate) and the group “Newcomers.”
J6
Chang Qu China “The Chinese Character (fú)” Meaning “good fortune” or “good luck.” 2016 is the year of Monkey on the Chinese calendar. So my embroidery is a fusion of character fú and monkey.
J7 Sabah Zeeshan Pakistan “Minar-e-Pakistan (Pakistan Day Memorial)� It is a minar/tower built to commemorate the day when Pakistan resolution was passed on March 23, 1940. The tower was completed in 1968. Murat Kahn, a Turkish architect, designed the memorial.
J8
Nicky Chaplin UK “A Compass Rose” …because at NVS we come from all corners of the Earth, North, South, East and West. Throughout my life, I have traveled widely. North, South, East and West accompanying my diplomat husband.
J9 Sally Livesey UK “A tea cup and saucer” Because sharing a cup of tea with a friend is a good thing to do!
K1 Nancy Connolly USA “Douglas Fir Tree” I come from Washington State, ‘the other Washington’ and it is very like England with the exception of the population of evergreen trees. Washington State is the ‘Evergreen State.’
K2
Barbara Bellosa Germany “NVS Walking Group – Keep Walking” During our time in Cambridge, I loved to spent my days with joining events organised by the Newcomers and Visiting Scholars Group of the University. In January 2013 I offered to guide a weekly walking group to the NVS because I wanted to give something back as I appreciated to have the chance to meet so many lovely people which enlightened my time there.
K3
Rosine Bonay Grimmett France “Downing College Griffin” Master’s wife’s square.
K4 Greyce Amorim Brazil “Hibiscus flower� I chose the design to share one of the flowers that we have in Brazil, but happily it is found in England too.
K5
Marie-Chrisrine France “Deer - King of the Forest and the Mountains” Deer surround my house in the Vosges Mountains. With my initial and country’s (France) flag.
K6 Mayu Hachimori Japan “A Cosmos” It’s a familiar flower in Japan. I like to see the fields blooming with cosmoses every autumn.
K7
Janet Edwards UK “King’s College Chapel” An iconic building in Cambridge
K8 Jennifer Donkin UK “Jesus College Cockerel” The Cockerel standing on an orb representing all the world is an emblem of Jesus College. It is the rebus, or play on the name of John Alcock, Bishop of Ely who founded the college in 1496. With Cambridge at the forefront of the New Learning, Henry VII authorised Bishop Alcock to suppress the Priory of St. Radegund and use its property to establish a new college. The emblem of the Cockerel is seen all over the college, at the gatehouse, in the Windows, and in the Chapel where the firm of William and Morris worked on extensive renovations in the 1860’s and 1870’s. The banner which it carries, iter facias prosperum, translates as “have a good journey”. The colours of the college summer tie are recalled in the red, black and white of the banner edges. The square was embroidered in memory of my husband, Dr. Robin Donkin. He was a Fellow of Jesus College from 1972-2006, and Reader in Historical Geography in the University.
K9
Lynn Dowson UK “Trinity Hall Crest� Heraldic shield design. I spent twohappy years at the college studying for a M Ed degree.
L1
Barbara Bellosa Germany “Corpus Christi College Crest� In August 2012 we came to Cambridge with our family. My husband got an invitation from the Department of Computer Science to spend his sabbatical in Cambridge. One day during a visit at the masters lodge of Corpus Christi College, Sibella Laing, the masters wife of the college, asked me if there is a College we are affiliated with. But as we had the invitation from the University we haven't had any connection to a specific college. Sibella invited me to feel home at their college and to think of Corpus Christi College as "our" College. So I really do have always a very special feeling about Corpus Christi College and this was the reason I have chosen to embroider the Corpus Christi crest for the quilt.
L2 Mary Boyden USA “Lilac Flower� I chose this flower because it grows well and is popular in my hometown of Syracuse, NY, USA. I was inspired by the garden where I stayed while visiting Cambridge.
L3 Mujgan Isik Turkey “Tulip” It is a symbol flower of Turkey. Istanbul has a tulip festival every spring.
L4
Lingyan Chen, China “Panda� Black and white, this furry animal is native to south central China and it is also considered as the national treasure. Panda is widely becoming used within China in international contexts. For example, as one of five Fuwa mascots of the Beijing Olympics.
L5 Dorica-Monica Blood Romania “Bran Castle” This is Bran Castle in Central Romania. It is well known as “Dracula’s Castle,” visited by millions of people every year. This is a famous landmark of our country.
L6 Bella Fuerst Germany “Brandenburg Gate� I was born and raised in Berlin. I also studied architecture there. I miss my friends in Berlin sometimes.
L7 Samaneh Ehsaninezhad Iran Flower – “Toranj” This design is a well known Iranian pattern which is used in rug, carpet and cloths.
L8 Alice Fleet UK “A horse head� To remember horse racing. Alice has gamely taken many NVS members to horse racing meets at Newmarket over the years. Much fun was had and some attendees even won big money.
L9 Krystyna Stevenson Poland “Polish white eagle on a red background” Emblem of the country.
D6 Mujgan Isik Turkey “Tulip” It is a symbol flower of Turkey. Istanbul has a tulip festival every spring.
Signature page for NVS volunteers not completing squares: Joan Andrew H. Jean O’Neill Gwen Borysiewicz Sibella Laing Janet Dye Lindsey Page Ann Roseblade Sheila Harrison Thomas Baer June Johnson Liz Hodder Margaret Lawrence Peter Hayler Samantha Sintes
Late Former Patron and Chairman Volunteer President Former Chairman and Blue Badge Guide Committee Member Book Group, Committee Member , Secretary Volunteer Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member and Blue Badge Guide Former Director and Blue Badge Guide Committee Member, Treasurer Chaplin, Great St. Mary’s Cultural Group
Back of quilt
Rosemary Jull Canada “Maple Leaf” A symbol of Canada found on the centre of the Canadian Flag.