Name/Title
Isle of the WightEntry/Object ID
2015.005.001Description
A pied feathered star pattern. The pattern is set with alternating plain blocks, including 28 stars and 24 alternating blocks. The alternating blocks measure 11 1/4'' wide. A single 2 1/8'' green patterned border surrounds the blocks.
A 1/2'' binding of red patterned fabric is applied by hand with a straight edge and rounded corners.
The backing of the quilt is composed of 4 strips of homespun muslin, measuring 8'' and 25 1/4''.
There is a thin cotton batting. The designed areas are stuffed.
The entire quilt is hand quilted, including raised work, using single, white, cotton thread. There were knots found on the back of the quilt. The stiches were even at about 11 stitches per inch. The design features both crosshatch and florals. There are feathers, flowers, crosshatching in the middle of the star. They are all very consistent and likely used a stencil.
All of the fabric would have been new/purchased at the time the quilt was made.
The pattern, quilting, fabric, and aesthetic are attributed to the Tidewater region of Virginia. The family likely owned a plantation off of the James River.Context
This quilt was known as the Bride Quilt as it was a family heirloom that was passed to six generations of newlyweds. It traces back to Sarah Applewhite who married in Wight County, Virginia in 1813. While Sarah was living in Tennessee when she made this quilt, the fabrics used in the quilt were native to the Tidewater region.
Sarah passed the quilt to her daughter Emma in 1856 for her marriage. It was then given to Emma's son Henry when he married in 1889. Henry gave it to his daughter Nina in 1919 when she got married. While in Nina's possession it won first place in a quilt show featuring 100-year-old quilts. However, Nina did not have any children so she passed it to her nephew Erwin when he married in 1943. Erwin passed it to his daughter Katherine when she married in 1966. Katherine then donated it to the museum.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2015.005Source or Donor
Katherine Jackson TurnerMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Sarah ApplewhiteRole
MakerArtist
Mary Harrison MooreRole
MakerDate made
circa 1840Notes
It is inferred that Sarah was the maker in the 1840s. However, a note that accompanied the quilt says that the maker was Mary in 1765.Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
84-1/4 inLength
92 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionsWidth
11-1/2 inLength
10-3/4 inMaterials
Material
CottonMaterial Notes
fabric printsColors
Color
Red, Blue, White, GreenColor Notes
Red is a block print. Originally white groundCondition
Overall Condition
WornNotes
Deterioration of edge/border, fading of red fabric, pencil markings, burnt spot in the center of the quilt (about 1'')Overall Condition
FairNotes
Examined when on display Dec. 2020 by VQM Staff. Quilt had maintenance done to it but there is no record of this in the file folder. The edges were stabilized.