Appliquéd Quilt Square

Dateca. 1850

MediumPlain and printed cottons

Dimensions17 1/4" X 17 1/4" (43.8 x 43.8 cm)

Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Jason Westerfield

Object number1974.609.16

DescriptionThis is a quilt block with a design of appliquéd red printed cotton on a white ground. The center geometric motif has a small heart on each side. The central motif has a rectangle cut out exposing the white ground fabric in the center. The rectangle is outlined in white stitches, which is repeated five times. The corners of the block are filled with a fan-shape motif. The appliquéd motifs are stitched in place with backstitches.
Label TextAppliqué involved sewing cut shapes down onto a larger ground fabric. Usually, the cut edges of the appliqués were turned under before stitching. Less often, buttonhole stitches were worked around the raw edges. The motifs in this quilt block are stitched down with backstitches. The block may have been intended for an album or friendship quilt.
ProvenanceOther than donor, no futher provenance is known.
Maker is unidentified.