Dresden Plate Signature Church Quilt
Name/Title
Dresden Plate Signature Church QuiltEntry/Object ID
1994.001.001Description
This is a signature quilt made in the Dresden Plate pattern. The piece has Twenty five blue and pink Dresden Plates with pointed spokes - twenty per plate are appliqued onto white. The center is the white background fabric. The backing is white. Blue straight grain fabric was used as binding. It was applied and measures 1/4'' wide with squared corners. The batting is very thin. A single name in script is embroidered on each spoke. Pink floss was used on blue fabric and blue floss on the pink. These are the adults of the congregation. At the center of each plate are embroidered with one to four names. One block is the cradle roll with the names of the babies born to members while the quilt was being made. The hand quilting follows the top design, consisting of outlines around plates and in the spokes. Pinwheel/leaf and flower design is featured between the Dresden Plates. Stitches measure 7-8 stitches per inch.Context
A label on the lining tells us that this quilt was made by members of the Onward and Upward Bible Class of Kernstown Methodist Episcopal Church between 1931 and 1935. This quilt was more than likely done as a fundraiser, with each adult paying a small amount to have their name embroidered on a spoke. There is no census of the town, or records from the church of who was in the congregation, allowing this quilt to be the main record of names of the congregation from 1931 to 1935. When the Kernstown church no longer had a pastor and was faced with closing, its members gave the quilt to nearby Stephens City Methodist Church. Later, a new minister was found. Both churches are still in operation today, and in 1995 they donated the quilt to the museum together.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1994.001Source or Donor
Robert S. EdwardsNotes
Credit Line: "Gift of Stephens City United Methodist Church" Donated April 20, 1994Made/Created
Artist
Members of the Onward & Upward Bible Class of Kernstown Methodist ChurchDate made
1931 - 1935Place
* Untyped Place
Kernstown, VirginiaNotes
Created as a celebration of birth; fundraiserInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Signature, Date, PlaceTranscription
Names of the children born into the church's congregation between 1931 and 1935.Material/Technique
EmbroideredType
EmbroideryLocation
Upper left corner on the backTranscription
"Made by members of / Onward & Upward Bible Class / Kernstown M.E. Church S. / Presented to / Stephens City Parsonage / Mr. & Mrs. John Moyer / Aug. 1936."Notes
Cradle Roll BabiesOther Names
Church Quilt
Dresden Plate
Onward & Upwards Bible Class Quilt