Name/Title
Irish ChainEntry/Object ID
1998.004.007Description
This quilt uses the Irish Chain pattern, composed of alternating plain blocks with nine-patch blocks set on point. There is a tripe border surrounding the blocks. The first is a 2 inch red patterned fabric, followed by a 2.25 inch white fabric, and then finished with a 2 inch green fabric with yellow and blue flowers to match the colors in the blocks. The binding is brought from the back to the front with straight edges and squared corners.
The back is composed of 3.24 strips of solid, cotton, muslin. The batting is a thin cotton.
The quilt is entirely hand quilted with even 9 stitches per inch, using single, white, cotton thread. The quilting within the blocks is diagonal lines that form a triangle pattern. The quilting in the set is a cross-hatch design and the quilting in the alternating plain blocks is simple lines.Context
The artist of this quilt was Harrietta M. Stork in Pennsylvania circa 1870. It has "No. 3" inked on it potentially indicating that Harrietta was nine quilts away from her "useful dozen". The donor purchased this quilt in the 1940s.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1998.004Source or Donor
Lucy Catherine BowieMade/Created
Date made
circa 1870Notes
No known last name; Quilt purchased by Lucy Bowie at auction in the 1940's.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Signature, PlaceLocation
Bottom Left CornerTranscription
"Harrietta M Stork Chambersburg, PA No. 3"Material/Technique
Inked by HandNotes
Appraisal report says "Elizabeth" is written in ink, yet it is "Harrietta M Stork"Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
89 inLength
89 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionsWidth
3-1/2 inLength
3-1/2 inDimension Notes
alternating & nine-patch blocks total of 240 (16 x 15)Materials
Material
CottonMaterial Notes
all printsColor
Pink, White, Green, RedCondition
Overall Condition
WornNotes
lots of fabric loss and light staining (starting to break down). Lots of staining on the back.Overall Condition
GoodNotes
really bad deterioration of the green fabric. Pink fabric is going in some spots
