This project is being co-ordinated by Christina Henri, a contemporary artist who lives in Tasmania, to recognise the lives of women who were deported from the United Kingdom. Over 25,000+ bonnets are required to represent the life of each convict woman, whose name will be embroidered on the outside. 13,000 bonnets will be brought from Tasmania (which is the amount of women transported there) to the UK next year by Christina and will be exhibited at the Festival of Quilts 2010. Many bonnets have also been made by members of the Jersey Branch who discovered that 3 local girls were transported; these bonnets are currently being exhibited at Jersey Museum until January 2010. Eventually all bonnets will be on permanent display in Tasmania

When one of our members, Karen Hughes, heard about the project, she and her husband had been tracking their family tree, and discovered that an ancestor of her husband was one of the women deported from the UK. Armed with the ancestor’s name, name of the ship, date of departure from the UK and arrival in Australia, this information was despatched to Christina who was quickly able to confirm and pass on more details.

10,000 bonnets are still needed - could you help by making a bonnet? Contact Ann Hampton on 01452 503640 for a bonnet pattern, which is taken from a simple 1860’s servant’s bonnet, and follow the guidelines. You can use cream or white muslin, calico, cotton or linen, and embroider in any way you wish, although if you would like to be authentic, use a candlewick stitch or another typical of the era. The embroidery can be plain or fancy but it is suggested that hearts and roses could symbolise love; or it could incorporate old lace, ribbon, buttons or beading, or a treasure of specially made lace or heirloom embroidery. 

You will be able to choose a name from a list which should be written or embroidered on the outside. Your name should be on the inside hem. To complete her records, Christina would like some information about you and a photograph of you with the bonnet would be appreciated. All this information will then be available for future generations to ponder on.