Images(4)

Quilt, Redwork Embroidery

Dateca. 1925

Maker LWF

OriginAmerica, New York (possibly)

MediumCotton

DimensionsOH: 77" x OW: 70" (196 x 179 cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Funds given in memory of Gilbert and Irene Baumgarten

Object number2011.609.3

DescriptionRectangular quilt pieced from 72 blocks embroidered in outline stitches using red cotton on white grounds, separated by solid red sashing about one inch wide to create grid. The blocks are about 7 1/2" square, with motifs that include sunbonnet girls doing tasks for the day of the week; nursery rhymes; animals, flowers; "A Temperence Drink" showing a horse drinking from a trough; and the initials L and LWF. Quilted to white cotton backing through thin batting using 7 to 8 running stiches per inch in diagonal lines spaced about 1 1/2" apart. Edges turned in toward each other to form edge finish.
Label TextThe maker of this child’s quilt selected seventy-two small-scale patterns purchased from commercial sources either as prestamped squares or made to be transferred to the cloth through ironing or tracing. The squares include sunbonnet-wearing girls (Sunbonnet Sue or Sunbonnet Babies) performing tasks for the days of the week and celebrating the seasons. The Sunbonnet Baby designs match those offered for sale as prestamped squares in the early 1920s by the Ladies Art Company, which labeled the designs “Stamped Outline Embroidery Blocks for Nursery Quilts." The quilt also includes nursery rhymes, flowers, animals, and birds. At the bottom of the quilt, a block showing a horse drinking from a water trough is labeled “A Temperance drink." The red of the cotton outline embroidery is given greater prominence by the precisely pieced narrow red sashing that forms a regular grid unifying the diverse embroidered designs.
Although the maker and provenance of the quilt are not known, the initials L and LWF are probably those of the maker, and the initials NYC positioned below a train suggest the origin of the quilt.