Medallion of Various Flowers
Medallion of Various Flowers Quilt
Name/Title
Medallion of Various FlowersEntry/Object ID
1996.002.002Description
This is a whole cloth quilt. The quilt design is a medallion circle of flowers, small circles and feathered leaves, quilted entirely by hand. The circle ends with scallops. The flowers, leaves, and scallops are in relief caused by the stipple quilting stiches. The circle is encased with cross-hatching which forms a square. Four lines of quilting, giving three areas of relief forms a single border. The border is quilted and measures about 3.25-4'' wide. Straight line quilted sashing is about 2'' wide. The quilting is completed using single, white, cotton thread. The stitches are uneven, but measure roughly 9 stitches per inch. The border has potted tulips and feather leaves with multi-lines through the center. In each corner is a tulip with two feather leaves and stippling. An outer border consists of diagonal lines. Backing is a coarser white fabric than the top and is now an off white. It is made up of 3 strips of muslin, measuring 15.5'', 31'', and 31.25''. It was likely hand woven muslin. The batting is a thin cotton. Edging is white straight grain of fabric. The white, applied binding is only 0.25'' wide. It was done by hand with squared corners.Context
This quilt was made in New York. The history of this quilt and its sister, 1996.002.001, was found in a written note inside a blue teapot. It is believed that one of the two quilts was made by just Marion McClew Speir, while the other one was made with her sister-in-law, Mary McClew, as they were newlywedded women.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1996.002Source or Donor
Basil GrayNotes
Donated April 25, 1996Made/Created
Artist Information
Marion McClew Speir
Mary McClew
Date made
circa 1844Place
* Untyped Place
New YorkOther Names
McClew Quilt
Wholecloth Quilt