Quilt

Object Name:

Quilt

Object ID:

2010.009.01

Creator:

Cotton, Abigail (1807-1893)Quilter

Place of Origin:

Holderness, NH

Date:

1884

Description:

Crazy quilt made by Abigail Cotton (1807-1893) of Holderness, NH. Made of 49 blocks, each about 8" square, foundation pieced with randomly shaped scraps of silk cisele velvets, satins, brocades, damasks, failles, etc. Some of the patches are painted with designs of flowers; others are elegantly embroidered with flowers and birds. In center is a horizontally oriented rectangular panel embroidered with chenille and silk twist yarns with a design of goldenrod and daisies. More goldenrod is embroidered in other blocks. Fancy ribbons with woven designs of cats on a pillow and of chickens are also incorporated into the blocks, along with appliques of flowers constructed from various plush fabrics or embroidered elements combined with plush. The four corners of the quilt have blocks with fan designs and painted flowers. Predominant colors are burgundy and other dark shades, brightened by bits of neon orange, yellow, and emerald green. The quilt is bordered with deep burgundy plush, and edged with burgundy and gold cording. An edging of Cluny lace is added across top and bottom. In center of bottom border appears the inscription "A. Cotton 1884," worked in couched gilt threads. Backing is a brown and blue woven silk plaid (typical of the 1850s, and probably recycled from an out-of-date dress skirt), which is machine-quilted in a grid pattern to a wadded interlining. Quilt top seems to be stitched at or near the corners of the blocks to the interlining, but not all the way through to the backing.

Material:

Textile
Cotton
Silk

Dimensions:

W-61 L-73 inches

Provenance:

Made by Abigail Cotton (1807-1893) of Holderness, NH, great grandmother of the donor.

Credit Line:

Gift of the Morrison Family

People:

Cotton, Abigail (1807-1893)

Subjects:

Flowers, Fans (Accessories), Horseshoes, Crosses, Hearts, Cats, Butterflies, Birds, Quilts, Quilting