Images(12)

Quilt, Redwork

DateDated 1889

Maker Various Makers

OriginAmerica, Connecticut, Windsor (probably)

MediumCottons (fiber identification by eye)

DimensionsOverall: 82 1/2 × 82 1/8in. (209.6 × 208.6cm)

Credit LineGift of Catherine Theron in memory of Harriet Louise Cooke Nelson

Object number2023.609.3

DescriptionThis is a quilt composed of 36 white blocks, each 9 ¾ inches square, embroidered with red outline stitches in designs of various flowers, children wearing clothing styles of late nineteenth century, and animals. Each block has an individual embroidered signature. The embroidered pieces are separated by three bands of sashing alternating two reds and one white sashing strips that cross to form a checkerboard. The quilt is hand-quilted with white at 8 to 10 stitches per inch in a pattern of circles and cross hatching. The edges are bound with 5/8-inch straight-grain binding folded over, so that ¼ inch is visible on the front. The plain-woven white cotton backing consists of one large panel about 80 inches wide selvage to selvage, pieced out with narrow strip on the bottom approximately 2 to 2 ½ inches wide.
Label TextRedwork embroidery quilts were fashionable from about 1875 to 1930. Colorfast red cotton floss was used to embroider outlines of motifs onto white cotton or linen grounds, a combination that was especially popular for items that had to be washed, such as children’s quilts and bibs, table covers, and summer bed covers. While some quilters drew their own designs to be embroidered, ladies’ magazines and pattern companies also provided designs to be pounced or ironed onto white grounds.

This redwork quilt is composed of 36 embroidered blocks, each signed by a different person. The blocks include various flowers, children wearing clothing styles of the late nineteenth century, and animals. The quilt descended in the family of the Reverend Roscoe Nelson and his wife Harriet Louise Cooke Nelson of Windsor, Connecticut. The Rev. Nelson was pastor of the First Congregational Church in Windsor for forty years. It's possible that the quilt was created by members of the First Church.
ProvenanceFrom the Reverend Roscoe Nelson (1861-1961) and Harriet Louise Cooke Nelson (1860-1948); by descent to their son, Roscoe Winthrop Nelson (1895-1966); by descent to his daughter, Ruth King Nelson Theron (1925-1980); by descent to her daughter, Catherine Theron who donated the quilt to CWF.