Name/Title
Album SquareEntry/Object ID
1997.001.017Description
This 20 block quilt uses multi-colored scraps to create the blocks. Each block is set with cream colored sashing with 4 patch posts. There is a triple border added to three sides. It measures about 4.5'' wide and uses a green, white, green color choice.
There is a muslin backing and a thin, cotton batting. The binding is 3/8'' and completely done by hand and brings the back to the front with square corners.
Hand quilted with diverse patterns, including double stitched diamonds, a feather pattern in the sashing, and double cross hatching in the posts. Stitches are about 15 stitches per inch.
Initial "ES" embroidered in lavender in corner.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.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1997.001Source or Donor
Mary Spitzer EtterNotes
Donated Feb. 23, 1997Made/Created
Artist
Ellen Rebecca SpitzerDate made
circa 1890Inscription/Signature/Marks
Location
CornerTranscription
"ES"Material/Technique
EmbroideredDimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
79 inLength
93 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionsWidth
14-1/4 inLength
14-1/4 inDimension Notes
20 Blocks totalMaterials
Material
CottonMaterial Notes
Solids, stripes, prints, plaids, and checksCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodNotes
Some previous fabric replacement (well-done); small spots
