Images(2)

Quilt, Block Printed

Dateca. 1775, textile; quilted later

OriginEurope, France (probably)

MediumCotton and linen (fiber identification by microscope)

Dimensions54" x 72"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1953-1046

DescriptionThis is a small rectangular wholecloth quilt, woodblock printed in madder colors of red, pink and brown with pencil blue against a dark purple-brown ground (damson). The printed design consists of dual undulating twigs and vines bearing small flower-filled cornucopias and baskets, with larger sprigs of flowers positioned between the vines. The printed face fabric is reused and consists of strips, squares, and irregular shapes carefully seamed together to make the quilt front. The backing is an off-white cotton weft/ linen warp textile that has a butted selvage seam and blue linen cross-stitched initials "P C", suggesting reuse of an eighteenth century bed sheet. The backing has a small patch stitched in place prior to quilting. The pieces are quilted with brown linen thread in parallel lines about 3/4 inches apart, turning to form a regular zig-zag or chevron design. Quilted in running stitches at 7 stitches per inch through very thin batting of unidentified fiber, probably cotton. Edges are turned inward toward each other and stitched. The vertical repeat of the block print is 15 1/2 inches.
Label TextThis small quilt is an excellent example of reuse and recycling. The block-printed face is made up of strips, rectangles, and squares of fabric, carefully stitched together. The backing is a reused fragment of a bed sheet that still retains its original cross-stitch initials of "PC."
MarkingsBlue linen cross-stitched initials "P C" on backing textile, suggesting reuse of an eighteenth century bed sheet
ProvenanceAvis and Rockwell Gardiner, Stamford, Connecticut by sale to
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation