Whitework Quilt
QuiltmakerPossibly quilted by
Lucy Foote
(American, 1798 - 1875)
Dateabout 1816-1821
MediumPlain-woven white cotton, hand-stitched cotton thread, woven cotton tape
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 106 x 96 1/4in. (269.2 x 244.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2001.48.1
DescriptionWhitework quilt consisting of a white cotton top and backing that have been hand-stitched together in an elaborate quilted pattern in the Empire, or late neoclassical, style. The design elements in the pattern have been filled with stuffing and cording, a technique known as trapunto. The quilted pattern consists of a central medallion of a large basket of flowers on a background of diagonal quilted lines. The central medallion is surrounded by two concentric borders, one of curved leaves and one of a grapevine. This is surrounded by four sunflowers inside a square border of slanted lobes. Each side and the bottom of the quilt have an additional border of three vases with flowers and trailing vines emerging and extending across the border. The borders are on a background of quilted diamonds.
The top and backing of the quilt each consist of four panels of plain-woven cotton that are joined with a seam. The top of the quilt is finely woven, while the fabric on the bottom of the quilt is less finely woven. The edges are finished with white woven cotton tape.
Condition: The quilt is in excellent condition with minor staining and minor loss to the quilting stitch at the left side.
The top and backing of the quilt each consist of four panels of plain-woven cotton that are joined with a seam. The top of the quilt is finely woven, while the fabric on the bottom of the quilt is less finely woven. The edges are finished with white woven cotton tape.
Condition: The quilt is in excellent condition with minor staining and minor loss to the quilting stitch at the left side.
Label TextElaborately designed and finely worked whole cloth whitework quilt, featuring central medallion design of a basket of flowers bordered by grapevine, sunflowers, and double-handed vases of flowers. Attributed to Lucy Foote (1798-1875) of Colchester, Connecticut, who in 1821 married Merrit Bradford (ca. 1786-1846) of Norwalk or Canterbury, Connecticut. Attribution is based on a similar whitework quilt, owned the Stamford Historical Society, Stamford, Connecticut, and attributed to Lucy Foote Bradford by family history. There are bed coverings (especially bed rugs) with Foote family histories in several collections.
This whitework quilt represents the earliest form of quilting in America, whole-cloth quilts. Made from a single type of fabric, these quilts provide an uninterrupted surface for intricate quilting designs. Lucy decorated this quilt with a floral basket surrounded by concentric circles of curved leaves and grape vines. This quilt uses a technique known as trapunto, which consists of using stuffing and cording to fill various design elements of the pattern.
This whitework quilt represents the earliest form of quilting in America, whole-cloth quilts. Made from a single type of fabric, these quilts provide an uninterrupted surface for intricate quilting designs. Lucy decorated this quilt with a floral basket surrounded by concentric circles of curved leaves and grape vines. This quilt uses a technique known as trapunto, which consists of using stuffing and cording to fill various design elements of the pattern.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object
