fibre-art, textile
fibre-art
folk-art
textile
folk-art
organic pattern
Dimensions 74 x 87 1/2 in. (187.96 x 222.25 cm)
This quilt was anonymously made, we believe in America, though we don’t know precisely when. This textile artwork presents a complex, repeating pattern of floral motifs in red, yellow, and green against a dark ground. Quilts, historically, were often produced within domestic settings. This makes them deeply intertwined with the social fabric of family, community, and even economic survival. The act of quilting itself fostered social bonds between women, representing the transmission of cultural knowledge and the collective effort to produce functional and beautiful objects. Scholars interested in textiles often explore archives of letters, diaries, and oral histories to reconstruct the stories embedded within the stitches of quilts like this. These sources can reveal the quilter's personal experiences, their engagement with social issues, and their contributions to a rich tradition of American folk art. The meaning of a quilt is shaped not only by its visual appearance but also by the social circumstances of its creation and use.
Comments
The stylized birds and berries here have more in common with New England folk art than with traditional fine quilts. Perhaps most unusual is the use of felt for the stuffed appliqué birds and berry sprigs. Typically, appliqué motifs are cut from woven fabrics, the edges are turned under to prevent raveling, and the piece is then stitched to the ground fabric. Because felt is matted and pressed, rather than woven, the edges do not ravel, and the quilter can skip turning them under. Very small, intricate design elements can be applied quickly and easily. Even so, making this quilt likely took hundreds of hours.
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