Appliqué Quilt
QuiltmakerQuilted by
Ladies Aid Society of Windsor Avenue Congregational Church
(American)
QuiltmakerQuilted by
Alice M. Jones
(American)
QuiltmakerQuilted by
M. [C.] Brott
QuiltmakerQuilted by
Miss Waters
Date1918
MediumHand-stitched, plain-woven cotton; black ink
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 93 x 82in. (236.2 x 208.3cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the Ladies Aid Society of Windsor Avenue Congregational Church
Object number1950.53.0
DescriptionAppliquéd signature quilt in the Red Cross pattern; this pattern is also known as a Liberty quilt. The quilt consists of a top of plain-woven red and white cotton, batting, and a white plain-woven cotton backing; these three layers are joined by a quilting pattern. The top consists of a red cross in the center surrounded by square white blocks each of which is about 5 1/2 inches square; these square white blocks extend to each edge of the quilt. Red crosses are appliquéd on the white blocks in a diamond around the center cross, then on most blocks toward each corner of the quilt. The white blocks have hand-written inscriptions in black ink; these inscriptions are the names of servicemen and women with their branch and place of service. At the bottom center of the quilt is a hand-written inscription with information about who made the quilt: "This Liberty Quilt/ was started by Mrs. Martha J. Brunner/ of Hartford, Conn., in 1918, to raise money for/ the Red Cross, as a patriotic service in/ honor of our brave men and women in/ our country's service./ It was planned and made by/ Mrs. Alice M. Jones and Mrs. M. C. Brott/ of the Ladies Aid Society of the/ Windsor Ave. Congregational Church/ of Hartford, Conn./ The names were inscribed by Miss Waters./ The amount raised for the/ Red Cross by means of/ this quilt was/ $1150". The quilting pattern outlines each appliquéd cross. The quilt is edged in white cotton.
Condition: The top has a few scattered, light brown stains. Small holes are pierced through the binding at the sides, possibly the result of tacks. The back has light staining in a line down the center and in blocks at one side where the quilt may have been folded. Each corner also has light staining.
NotesHistorical and Design Note: The pattern is based on a design that appeared in the December 1917 issue of Modern Priscilla, based on quilt instructions planned by Clara Washburn Angell. Donors purchased space on the quilt for varying prices; the larger spaces were more expensive. According to museum records, The Ladies Aid Society of the Windsor Avenue Congregational Church raised $1,150.00 for their Red Cross Drive by making this quilt. According the the Red Cross, this amount was sufficient to purchase an ambulance or to provide enough supplies for eighteen nurses.Condition: The top has a few scattered, light brown stains. Small holes are pierced through the binding at the sides, possibly the result of tacks. The back has light staining in a line down the center and in blocks at one side where the quilt may have been folded. Each corner also has light staining.
Inscription Notes: A quick survey of the quilt found that the majority of names listed are men, with an exception of "Miss. Florence Burton" of the "Amer. Nurse Corps" inscribed near the top left corner. At the bottom and top of the quilt are rows of blocks labeled "Men from the Hartford Times" and "Hartford Courant". At the top is a block labeled "Plimpton Mfg. Co". (Hunt 10/26/2006)
Status
Not on view
