Name/Title
Crazy QuiltEntry/Object ID
1997.001.008Description
This is a Crazy Quilt top that is pieced on a foundation. There is no backing. The briar stitch is used to embellish the quilt. There is a distinctive pink circle in the top center.Context
Mary Spitzer Etter of Harrisonburg, Virginia donated her family's entire quilt collection to the Virginia Quilt Museum in 1997. The collection contained 27 quilts, most of which were made by Mary's aunts, the Spitzer sisters. Their names were Sarah Josephine Spitzer (Walters), Margaret Melinda Spitzer (Jones), and Ellen Rebecca Spitzer. It is unknown if the other two Spitzer sisters, Hannah Spitzer (Brown) and Jane Spitzer (Evers), did much quilting. Of the quilts completed by the Spitzer sisters, there is a single initial embroidered on the front of quilt to mark who made each quilt. Ellen Spitzer's daughter, Irene, also completed three pieces of the collection. Some of the quilts contain blocks were done by Mabel Spitzer, Mary's mother. These blocks were then quilted by either Berta or Effie Long, Mabel's neighbors. There are a few quilts not made by a Spitzer, yet they were still made by relatives of the Spitzer family.
"Aunt Mags" was married and lived in Greenmount. She always used the "briar stitch" on her quilts. She also made doll clothes and crocheted caps for Mary and her sister.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1997.001Source or Donor
Mary Spitzer EtterNotes
Donated Feb. 23, 1997Made/Created
Artist
Margaret Melinda SpitzerDate made
circa 1890Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall QuiltWidth
63 inLength
78 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionWidth
12-3/4 inLength
12-3/4 inMaterial
Silk, Velvet, BrocadesCondition
Overall Condition
GoodNotes
Some deterioration of fabric; minor spotting on back