Quilt, Reverse Appliquéd

Date1835-1850

MediumCottons (fiber identification by microscope)

DimensionsOH: 94 1/4" X OW: 97 1/4"

Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Elizabeth R. Blagojevich

Object number1988-255

DescriptionThis is an almost-square quilt made of multicolor printed cottons against a ground of plain-woven white cottons. The quilt is reverse appliqued in a design of vines and flowers forming square borders around a center motif. Starting at center, the motifs consist of curving tulip and leaf vines crossing at top and bottom; isolated floral and leaf sprigs in the field surrounding the central tulip stems; a narrow inner border of undulating vines; another inner border of isolated sprigs; a wider border of undulating vines, and an outside band of printed cotton in a grape and Greek key motif. The quilting is worked with white cotton running stitches forming a square on point grid in the center and zig-zag parallel lines in the printed cotton outermost border. The white ground of the face fabric is pieced from numerous strips of several different white plain-woven cottons. The white cotton backing is brought to the front to form a narrow edge finish. The white plain-woven cotton backing consists of three panels about 26 1/4 inches wide (excluding seams) plus a strip 18 1/2 inches wide.
Label TextIn the reverse applique technique used here, pieces of the printed textiles are laid behind the plainer white face fabric. The desired shapes of the applique are cut out of the white face fabrics, revealing the patterned textiles below. The raw edges are turned under and stitched to the patterned fabrics beneath.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of Elizabeth Blagojevich.