Quilt, Green Worsted Wholecloth

Date1780-1830

MediumWool

DimensionsOverall (L x W): 98 x 96 in. (248.9 x 243.8cm) Other (Selvedge width of top fabric): 24 1/2 in. (62.2cm) 6-7 running stitches per inch.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1952-86

DescriptionThis is a square wholecloth quilt of moss green plain-woven glazed worsted backed with orange wool, quilted with green wool in a pattern of central pointed oval palmettes (or pineapples) and vines extending out from the central palmettes in arcs. The upper palmette is flanked by the letters L and G worked into the quilting. The lower palmette is flanked by additional pointed oval palmettes with arching leafy vines. The central design is bordered on the sides and bottom with undulating leafy vines. The two sides and bottom are edged with a scalloped motif. The background quilting consists of close-set, diagonal lines over wool batting. The edges of the top and backing are turned in toward each other and secured with running stitches close to the edge. The face fabric consists of four 24 ½ inch panels of the green worsted that still retains the creases from the glazing process. The backing consists of three panels of orange-red napped woolen in plain or tabby weave.
Label TextMany women quilted wholecloth bedcovers using wool textiles for the tops, stitching lengths of woven fabric together to a make a single piece of one color large enough to cover a bed. In wholecloth quilts the decoration was derived from the quilting stitches that held the layers together. The use of glazed worsted in the plain-woven top enhanced the effect because the crisp glazed texture holds its shape without flattening. This quilt's backing is an orange plain-woven wool that has been napped to give it a fuzzy surface.
MarkingsL.G. quilted in.
ProvenancePurchased from Teina Baumstone, 1952. No further provenance is known.