Crazy Quilt
QuiltmakerMade by the
Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Winsted, Connecticut
(American)
DateAugust 1892
MediumHand-stitched silks, velvets, cotton, and embroidery thread
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 69 x 69in. (175.3 x 175.3cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mrs. A. Eugene Reynolds
Object number1977.29.0
DescriptionCrazy quilt made of silks and velvets that are hand-stitched together and covered with hand-stitched decorative embroidery. The crazy quilt has a center square of brown velvet that is hand-painted in pink, brown and green; the square is on point. This is surrounded by twelve large squares and twelve smaller triangles of foundation-pieced silk and velvet, including moire silk, compound-woven silks, and voided velvet. The quilt includes multiple fan motifs and painted decoration. The crazy quilt is further decorated with appliqué flowers, insects and fans, and an embroidered spiderweb. At one corner of the quilt is a larger piece of brown silk that is hand-painted in gold "Ladies Aid Society/ of the/ Methodist Episcopal Church/ August/ 1892/ Winsted/ Conn." Each side of the quilt has pointed black silk tabs decorated with feather stitching. The backing is silk printed in light brown with a floral and grid design. The crazy quilt has quilting stitches running through the gutter between each section of the top.
Condition: A few pieces of the silk have shattered. One black tab has been repaired with muslin and stitching at the back.
Condition: A few pieces of the silk have shattered. One black tab has been repaired with muslin and stitching at the back.
Label TextAlthough stitched carefully to unseen cotton foundations, the use of small scraps of various fabrics often took on a truly haphazard appearance. This particular crazy quilt combines a standard pieced fan pattern with the more scrap-like appearance associated with crazy quilts. The central square consists of hand-painted flowers on brown velvet. The floral embellishments continue with embroidered flowers throughout the quilt's surface.
Status
Not on view
