Images(3)

Quilt Made from Petticoat

Date1740-1775

OriginEngland or Europe, France

MediumSilk, linen, cotton (fiber identification by microscope)

DimensionsW: 61 3/4"; L: 54" Silk textile width about 18 1/4", as quilted without seam allowances

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1966-417

DescriptionThis is a small rectangular whole cloth quilt of yellow silk, made from a woman's petticoat that was flattened, cut into two equal pieces, and stitched together at the tops (original waist). A cord-quilted pattern forms the borders on two opposite sides of the quilt and consists of a repeated floral and scroll design. This was the border at the hem of the original petticoat. The rest is quilted in a grid through thin batting. The face fabric is bright yellow-gold plain-woven silk in an uneven weave with thicker threads in the weft. The backing is natural-color plain-woven linen, and the cords and very thin batting are cotton. The quilting is worked with yellow silk in seven running stitches per inch. Two ends of the quilt are finished with the original silk binding that formed the hem of the petticoat; the other sides are linen tape facing.
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