Signature Quilt
QuiltmakerQuilted by
Ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Society of Voluntown, Connecticut
(American)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mrs. Sophia Blake
Date1848
MediumHand-stitched, plain-woven cotton; ink
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 93 x 93 1/2in. (236.2 x 237.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
DescriptionPieced signature quilt in a Chimneysweep pattern. The T-shaped quilt consists of a pieced top of plain-woven cotton, batting, and a white plain-woven cotton backing; the three layers are joined by a hand-stitched quilting pattern. The colored cotton fabrics that form the pattern are printed or woven with pink, light brown, cream, red, and blue in a geometric or floral pattern. The Chimneysweep blocks are on point and separated by sashing of pink and white fabric. Inside each X-shaped block is a signature and town name hand-written in black ink; the signatures are probably written by only one or two hands. The center of the quilt has a hexagonal white block with the hand-written inscription "Presented to/ Mrs. Sophia Blake/ to whom this token of regard/ is respectfully dedicated by the Ladies/ of the Methodist Episcopal Church & Society/ Voluntown,/ Conn./ From much loved friends, when'er we part,/ A pensive sadness fills the heart;/ Past scenes the fancy [unknown] o'er/ And sighs to think they are no more/ Griswold July 4th/ AD 1848". The quilting pattern consists of lines that follow the geometric shapes of the Chimneysweep pattern. The quilt is edged in pink and white cotton; the backing is plain-woven cotton. The quilt is almost square, with two curved cut-outs at each bottom corner to accommodate bed posts on a bed frame.
Condition: The top of the quilt has accumulated a moderate amount of dirt in a large spot near the center, at the bottom corners, along the right side. The inscriptions are legible but the inks have bled. The backing has scattered, moderate stains and tears.
Condition: The top of the quilt has accumulated a moderate amount of dirt in a large spot near the center, at the bottom corners, along the right side. The inscriptions are legible but the inks have bled. The backing has scattered, moderate stains and tears.
Object number2005.94.0
NotesSignature Note: A typed list of the names and residences of the men and women who signed the quilt, along with their life dates if known, is in the object file. Last names on the quilt include Collins, Thompson, Lindley, Frasier, Branch, Edmond, Potter, Lyon, Pousse, Cory, Green, Cowles, Whipple, Cook, Macdonald, Gates, Plinney, Wilson, Starks, Congdon, Dennis, Block, Champlin, Kenyon, Sheppard, Scranton, Billings, Weaver, Christie, Rathbun, Burdick, Pope, Ellis, and Church. The people who signed the quilt are from Thompson, Voluntown, Griswold, Plainfield, and Willimantic, Connecticut. (Hunt 10/26/2006)
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