Pieced Quilt
QuiltmakerAttributed to a member of the
Amos Platt family
(American)
Dateabout 1835
MediumHand-stitched pieced and appliqued silk, glazed plain-woven cotton, or cambric
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 81 x 89in. (205.7 x 226.1cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Miss Mary Seelye Rosevear
Object number1958.24.1
DescriptionPieced and appliqued quilt in a hexagon or honeycomb pattern. The quilt consists of a template-pieced silk top, batting, and a backing; the three layers are joined by a hand-stitched quilting pattern. The center of the quilt has a rectangular area filled with multi-colored and patterned plain-woven and satin-woven silk hexagons in white, cream, red and pale blue, yellow and green. The hexagons are joined in a floral pattern. The center of the quilt is surrounded by a wide yellow silk border with applique vines and flowers. This is surrounded by a scalloped green border, and green tape applied at the outside edges of the quilt. The quilting pattern consists of hexagons stitched inside the hexagons at the center of the quilt, and quilted lines that follow the vines and leaves around the border. The backing is glazed, plain-woven, white cotton, or cambric.
Condition: The applique green ribbon at the edges of the quilt is detached or missing in some sections. Portions of the silk have split and torn, especially around the green border at the edge of the quilt.
Condition: The applique green ribbon at the edges of the quilt is detached or missing in some sections. Portions of the silk have split and torn, especially around the green border at the edge of the quilt.
Label TextThis pieced quilt uses a popular pattern known as Grandmother's Flower Garden, also known as Honeycomb, in which colored hexagons evoke the flowers in a well groomed garden. A member of the Amos Platt family chose silks, rather than cottons, to create this quilt. The bright golden-yellow border appliquéd with flowers and vines calls to mind a sunny field in spring.
NotesPattern Name: This pattern was published in The American Girl's book, in 1831; the pattern was referred to as both "honeycomb" and "hexagon". In the twentieth century the pattern was known as "Grandmother's Flower Garden". (Source: Lynne Z. Bassett and Jack Larkin, Northern Comfort: New England's Early Quilts, 1780-1850, p. 61-62). (Hunt 10/25/2006)Status
Not on view
