Pieced Quilt
QuiltmakerAttributed to
Mary Whaples
(American, 1806 - 1858)
Date1850-1860
MediumPieced cotton
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 76 1/2 x 74 1/2in. (194.3 x 189.2cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Robert Leslie Cooper
Object number1965.8.0
DescriptionPieced quilt with a hexagonal or honeycomb pattern surrounded on each side by a flying geese border. The quilt consists of a pieced top of plain-woven cotton, batting, and a plain-woven cotton backing; the three layers are joined with a hand-stitched quilting pattern. The center of the quilt is filled with a field of white hexagons each surrounded by six hexagons in a printed cotton, or calico; these flowers are arranged in concentric circles of similarly-colored borders around a central hexagon. At one side this pattern is interrupted by three flowers made of pale yellow cotton. The hexagonal pieced center of the quilt is surrounded by a band of pink and white calico, then a border of triangles in white flowers on blue cotton or blue dots on white cotton. The quilting pattern is hexagonal and follows the shape of the pieced hexagons. Each side of the quilt has straight grain white cotton binding. The backing consists of plain-woven white cotton with a pale printed stripe.
Condition: Several areas of the quilt have been repaired with lines of machine-stitching; the machine-stitching is dense and haphazard. The printed pattern on the pink calico border has brown dye rot. Portions of the fabric have lost their color. The top has scattered light brown stains and tears.
NotesObject Note: Pattern 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)Condition: Several areas of the quilt have been repaired with lines of machine-stitching; the machine-stitching is dense and haphazard. The printed pattern on the pink calico border has brown dye rot. Portions of the fabric have lost their color. The top has scattered light brown stains and tears.
Status
Not on view
