Redwork Signature Quilt and Shams

Textile

The Virginia Quilt Museum

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

1991.003.003

Description

Not technically a quilt, it's a summer coverlet. White muslin with Redwork signatures. There are a total of 30 blocks, with six rows of five blocks. 14 inch blocks were used for the embroidery work and signatures. Embroidery was done in red on white background. Feather stitching is found around each block. The names appear in the circles and geometric sections of the design that is repeated in each block. No batting The two pillow shams are of a single layer with hem-stitching to form border. The date 1909 appears on the shams.

Context

There are roughly 630 signatures on this quilt. Was created for a church fundraiser in 1909. (One sham is dated "1909"). A previous quilt owner, Carrie R. Bird, has her name on the bottom of the quilt, perhaps having raised funds for such an honor.

Collection

Permanent Collection

Acquisition

Accession

1991.003

Source or Donor

Joseph Matthews Neale, SR.

Notes

Donated Sept. 26, 1991

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1909

Place

* Untyped Place

Roselawn, Virginia

Notes

Created for a church fundraiser

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Material/Technique

Embroidered

Notes

The signature of "Carrie R. Bird" is located on the bottom, second from the left. She was the owner of the quilt before it was donated.

Material/Technique

Embroidered

Notes

1991.003.003 A is the Quilt, B and C are shams. 1909 is embroidered onto the shams, giving it them an approximate date

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

Toward center of quilt, feather stitching is deteriorating and is faded. Tear in Zirkle and Osborne blocks. The back shows browning from storage. Shams are heavily stained

Provenance

Notes

Was created for a church fundraiser in 1909. Previous quilt owner, Carrie Bird, has her name on the bottom of the quilt