Quilt
Item Information
- Title:
- Quilt
- Description:
-
Quilt top constructed of many different silk fabrics in a concentric hexagon pattern. The construction method of paper-piecing and hand-sewing is visible as the quilt top is unfinished with no batting or backing fabric. This pattern name is commonly known as "Grandmother's Flower Garden" in the U.S. since about the 1930s, but the hexagonal quilt pattern and paper piecing have been popular in the U.S. and England since the early to mid 19th Century. Further specific dating of the quilt may be possible with more detailed investigation of the handwritten and printed materials used for the paper-piecing. Quilt is all hand-stitched, with small very even brown thread stitches. Large basting stitches of brown thread are also visible, which were used to hold the fabric around each individual hexagon. Fabrics are many bold and patterned silks, with a black predominant border and center for each 'flower'. Some silks are shattering or threadbare, while others are in good shape, indicating that weighted and un-weighted silks are used, as well as new fabric and repurposed fabric. Some individual hexagons have internal seams, or stitching holes where there used to be seams, making it very likely that some fabrics were previously apparel or other items. Handwritten materials used in the paper piecing are from, minimum, six different kinds of paper. The majority include portions of numbers, fractions, listed items, and hand-drawn lines, like those of a ledger or an account book. Handwriting from at least three individuals is likely, with printed material from another four unique items of different weight of paper. Dates written in ink include two instances of "1841", and one instance of "1783", although the latter is possibly a historic reference written later. The printed words "Augusta ME" can been seen. Another paper and print is some type of church service or event printed material on white, with purple ink stating "Duet for piano", "Lord is Risen", several fragments of names, and lines of rhyming text such as a song, poem, or hymn. See photos for some paper examples. Original description: Taffeta spread, hexagon pieces, "flower garden" various colors and black; condition good; size large unfinished
- Format:
-
Objects/Artifacts
- Genre:
-
Quilt
- Location:
- Arlington Historical Society
- Collection (local):
-
Arlington Historical Society Collection
- Subjects:
-
Quilts
- Link to Item:
- https://arlingtonhistorical.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/2E2C4A2C-3B4B-407F-A122-192420167927
- Terms of Use:
-
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
- Identifier:
-
A.2.135
2E2C4A2C-3B4B-407F-A122-192420167927