Name/Title
Ocean WavesEntry/Object ID
1997.001.012Description
This scrap quilt was was pieced with multiple fabrics and then tied using black thread. This quilt contains thick batting. The quilt was tied around the 1930s by the Long sisters, who also added the backing.
The piecing of the quilt was done circa 1850-1890. The quilt was then put together in the 1960s-70s using a machine and used a polyester batting.
The blocks are set on a diagonal with no border. The binding is 3/4'' wide. It is back to front with mitered corners and done by machine. There is a thick cotton batting.
The quilting is done using single black thread and tied knots on the front.
*it uses the same fabrics as 1997.001.005Context
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.
The Long sisters did the backing of this quilt and tied it in the 1930s. The top was done by Ellen.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1997.001Source or Donor
Mary Spitzer EtterNotes
Donated Feb. 23, 1997Made/Created
Artist
Ellen Rebecca SpitzerDate made
circa 1900Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
78 inLength
85 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionsWidth
9-1/4 inLength
9-1/4 inMaterials
Material
CottonMaterial Notes
Stripes, prints, plaids, checks, and gingham
*it uses the same fabrics as 1997.001.005Condition
Overall Condition
Excellent
