Name/Title
Irish ChainEntry/Object ID
2007.001.001Description
Irish chain quilt set into a grid pattern with a single border around 3 sides of the quilt. The border is 12'' wide and includes a hand appliqued vine with bird and floral motifs. The vine is made out of a green fabric with red flowers, buds, and birds on top.
The red binding is only 1/4'' wide and applied by hand with rounded corners (potentially added later as the red fabric is not as faded). The backing is composed of 3 horizontal strips of homespun muslin. The batting is a thin cotton.
The entire quilt is done by hand using single, white, cotton thread. The stitches are very even and about 7-8 stitches per inch. The block features a feathered wreath and crosshatch design, set with straight diagonal lines, and a four petal design on the bottom with diamonds on diagonal in the border. There is also a quilted heart in the center on the bottom left.Context
This quilt was given to the donor by her godmother, Willie Lee Robinson of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Robinson was told that the quilt was made by her great aunt in 1863, when the maker was only 12 years old. Virginia Quilt Museum research uncovered that Robinson had eight possible aunts. One was too young to be the maker, one has no information for, and five others all married and had children. These aunts would have more than likely passed the quilt down to their own children. The only confirmed unmarried aunt who would have been of proper age was Helen Mary Robinson. Willie Lee and Helen also lived together from 1907 until Helen's death in 1921.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2007.001Source or Donor
Frances ExlineMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Helen Mary RobinsonRole
QuilterDate made
1863Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InitialsLocation
Top right - inside the feathered wreathTranscription
"HR"Translation
Helen Mary RobinsonMaterial/Technique
QuiltedDimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
81 inLength
84 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionsWidth
8 inLength
8 inDimension Notes
7 x 9, total of 63 blocksMaterials
Material
CottonMaterial Notes
SolidsCondition
Overall Condition
GoodNotes
Overall fading of colors - red fabric is deteriorating and is very thin. Staining along the edge. Fading more on the right side of the quilt.Overall Condition
GoodNotes
Examined at the Vermont Quilt Festival
