Name/Title
Messages HomeEntry/Object ID
2010.004.001Description
This is a signature quilt that was pieced and appliquéd. It is 96'' X 116''. A center block, 17'' X 20 1/2'', is of an appliquéd eagle with arrows and an olive branch in claws and yellow ribbon in beak with "E pluribus unum" in ink on ribbon. Features of eagle done in embroidery.
Sixty one pieced blocks, 6" square, of two designs: Virginia Reel and Virginia Crossroads are in red, white, and blue prints, stripes and plaid, and bordered with approximately 1" tan plain-dyed fabric. Quilting in these blocks is in seams.
Between pieced blocks are signature blocks of plain-dyed tan fabric approximately 4 1/8" square, which is satin stitched by machine in like color onto a larger block. Under the eagle block are the signatures of Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense; Chairman of Joint Chief of staff Colin L. Powell; Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf and U.S. Senator John Warner. The remainder of the blocks are messages written by men and women based in Virginia who served during the Desert Storm conflict. The quilting in these blocks is an outline near satin stitch. Above the eagle is a blank block awaiting the signature of George Bush, President of the United States.
The fabrics are of cotton in red, white, blue, and tans.
A border is made of a blue with white stars fabric. The same material serves as binding.
The backing is a flag printed on tan with a tan border. On this border at the bottom are the signatures of the quilting group along with Ed Dychman, Pentagon personnel who assisted with the project. At the top is a white sleeve and at the bottom are red, white, and blue fabric pieces to elongate the backing.Context
This quilt was made during the Desert Storm conflict. It was made by many members of the Falls Church Quilters Unlimited Chapter and started in 1990 and finished in 1992. The quilt was designed by Wanda Shanklin and Terri Willet. Pieces of fabric were sent to men and women from Virginia who were called to serve in Saudi Arabia who wrote messages, poems, and their names on squares. These fabrics were then stitched together to make this quilt. In 1992 it hung at the Quilters Unlimited Show and also at the Pentagon for two weeks in July 1992. In 1999 it was shown at the National Quilters Association show. It joined the Virginia Quilt Museum selection in 2010.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2010.004Source or Donor
Cathy EckbrethNotes
Falls Church Chapter; For Sisters' Choice QuiltersMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Wanda ShanklinRole
DesignerArtist
Terri WillettRole
DesignerDate made
Oct 1990 - May 1992Place
* Untyped Place
Falls Church, VirginiaNotes
Worked by Falls Church Chapter MembersInscription/Signature/Marks
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
96 inLength
116 inCondition
Overall Condition
Excellent