Name/Title
Melon PatchEntry/Object ID
2026.005.001Description
A traditional Melon Patch pattern with a diamond border made out of solid red and green cotton fabric. The Melon Patch design is constructed out of 4 5'' squares, arranged into an 11x13 grid. The border is about 6-1/4'' wide and features pieced red diamonds and green triangles. The back is primarily constructed out of a star cheater cloth with botanical designs. The maker ran out of that fabric and ended up using a strip of red and a strip of green. The batting is a very thin cotton. The quilt is finished with a 1/8'' back to front binding with squared corners.
The entire quilt is hand quilted using single, white, cotton thread. The stitches are fairly uneven, but measure about 8 stitches per inch. The individual crescent shapes feature various botanical designs, including leaves and tulips. The triangle shapes feature straight lines and follow the triangle shape.
Likely made out of new/purchased fabric.Context
The quilt was a wedding present to the donor's great-grandparents, Cora Amelia Flory Grove and Charles Jacob Grove, who were married May 29, 1891. They lived just south of Waynesboro.
It is believed that the quilt was made in 1889, but Cora put it away until her marriage, which is why it came down to the family as their wedding quilt.
Donated in memory of Charles J. and Cora Flory Grove and Earl Flory and Sarah Bruere Grove (donor's grandparents).Acquisition
Accession
2026.005Source or Donor
Carol Flory KussartAcquisition Method
DonatedNotes
Credit: "Carol Flory Kussart, great-granddaughter of the quilt's recipients"Made/Created
Artist
Lelia R. Cline FloryDate made
1889Place
* Untyped Place
Stuart's Draft, VirginiaInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
QuiltedLocation
corners - in green pieceTranslation
"LRF Sept 5 1889 Stuart's Draft"
"CAF 1889 Sept 5"Material/Technique
QuiltedDimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
73-1/2 inLength
82 inDimension Description
Individual BlockWidth
5 inLength
5 inDimension Notes
11 x 13 configurationMaterials
Material
CottonMaterial Notes
solidsCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodNotes
green is starting to turn yellow and fade
