Stories in the Seams: Princess Feathers
Words by Virginia Vis Often used as a centre medallion or, as seen in this quilt, in groups of four large blocks, graceful plumes spiraling out of a centre circle describes a Princess Feather appliqué quilt. Beyond that basic premise though, the design variations spiral out into infinity. This quilt was constructed entirely by hand […]
In the Seams: Log Cabin Barn Raising
This quilt is a Log Cabin Barn Raising pattern made with silk and cotton fabrics. It is machine-pieced with strip/string piecing. It also features embroidery and burgundy and gold-embroidered ships wheel in the corner of each block. The quilt has been machine-quilted. The earliest known versions of this pattern appear in Great Britain on the […]
Stories in the Seams: Trophy of Love 1846 – Baltimore Album Quilt
“Mystery surrounds the previous ownership of this top that was found in a Connecticut attic after the sisters who had lived in the house had died. Unlike most album quilts, there are no signatures on the blocks.” Blooms, birds, buildings and elaborately woven baskets declare the place of origin of this spectacular textile: Baltimore. Located […]
Stories in the Seams – Sykes family New Jersey Album Quilt
By Virginia Vis, volunteer curatorial assistant, Daughters of the American Revolution Museum Thomas Sykes Quilt, about 1840, The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, Permanent Collection (ID — 94.23), 105in wide x 107½in long, various makers, New Jersey. Album quilts could be defined as “fabric scrapbooking”. Blocks are created by and for family and friends […]
Stories in the Seams – Pieced Counterpane
Pieced Counterpane: Mary Tayloe Lloyd Key By our best count, there are 4004 triangles in this design using at least 65 different cotton prints, and over 4500 pieces overall (you are welcome to check our math!). Mary Key contained this exuberance by arranging the pieces within larger triangles bordered by sashing and punctuated by mariner’s […]
Stories in the Seams – Family Connections
Family Connections: Martha Harness and Elizabeth Ann Darst Bierce By Alden O’Brien, Curator of Textiles, The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum Martha Harness’s Framed Medallion Three generations worked on these quilts over the course of half a century and 480km. Elizabeth Yoakum Harness helped her six-year-old daughter Martha compose the centre of the framed […]
Stories in the Seams – Tales of Antique Textiles and Quilts
Helen L. Sheppard Dounce Crazy Quilt By Virginia Vis — Volunteer Curatorial Assistant, Daughters of the American Revolution Museum Elaborate, complex, decorative — gaudy? The beauty of a crazy quilt is in the eye of the beholder. They’re composed of irregular-shaped fabric pieces sewn either to a foundation fabric or to each other in a […]
Stories in the Seams – The Hannah Wallis Quilt
The DAR Museum is a part of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s headquarters in Washington, DC, just a few blocks from the White House. by Alden O’Brien The DAR was founded in 1890 by a group of women who, excluded from membership in the newly formed Sons of the American Revolution, formed […]