Images(4)

Quilt, Crazy

Date1914

Maker Virginia Adeline Stephenson (1865-1943)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Southampton County

MediumSilk velvet, silk plush, silk ribbon, silk embroidery threads, and silk brocaded lining with paint

DimensionsOverall: 214 x 179.1cm (84 1/4 x 70 1/2in.)

Credit LineGift of Martha Wren Briggs

Object number2014.609.9

DescriptionThis is a crazy quilt consisting of 30 blocks, each measuring 14 ¼ ". The colorful blocks (shades of green, blue, brown, red, purple, pink, gold, black, orange, yellow, and grey) are made up of pieced silk velvets and plushes, which have been enhanced with embroidered motifs, paint, and decorative stitches. The date “1914” appears in the second block in the second row. Embroidered motifs include flowers such as Iris, pansy, and rosebud; cattails; spider web; interlocking circles; cat; 3 butterflies; pair of owls; bent-arm cross; and star. One embroidered floral motif is appliqued. The crazy quilt is lined in blue brocaded silk. it is edged in black silk velvet, which appears to have been cut on the bais, folded over, and stitched in place to form a 3/8" binding. The binding is decorated with blanket stitches. The crazy quilt is not quilted.
Stitches: blanket (even, long and short), buillion knots, feather (single, double, and triple), fern, fly (single and numerous variations), herringbone, knots, lazy daisy, outline, satin, and straight stitches (alone and in decorative combinations)
Label TextCovers of this type have long been known as "crazy quilts," an appropriate term for the apparent disregard of overall design and the hodgepodge of irregularly shaped fabric swatches traditionally used in them. Actually, the construction of a crazy quilt was usually well thought out and designed. This example consists of thirty blocks filled with popular motifs of the period that reflected the fashionable interests in nature, gardening, and Asia. Embroidered in the second block in the second row is the date "1914." Decorative embroidery stitches such as blanket, fly, fern, bullion knots, and lazy daisy embellish the throw as well as cover the seams.
Inscribed"1914"
ProvenanceThe crazy quilt descended from the owner and presumed maker, Virginia Adeline Stephenson (1865-1943) to her niece Mattie Stephenson Williams Briggs (1897-1989) to her daughter, Martha Wren Briggs, who donated the quilt to the museum.

History of Quilt Maker:
Virginia Adeline Stephenson (December 3, 1865-May 7, 1943) was the unmarried daughter of Alfred Turner Stephenson (1817-1895) and Unity Adeline Delk Stephenson (1820-1888; maker of sampler 2014-224) of Southampton County, Virginia. She is buried in the Stephenson Cemetery at Barrett Corner in Southampton County.