Star of Bethlehem with Satellite Stars QuiltEarly to mid-20th century81 x 81 1/4 " (205.7 x 206.4 cm)Cotton and blendsGift of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Danziger1985.4.10(including construction) Pieced quilt with large, central Star of Bethlehem; satellite stars in the Harvest Sun pattern between all points: whole pieced star each corner; half-star T, B, LS, RS. Executed in red, orange, and olive cotton on white field; bound in red cotton, rounded corners. Quilting patterns marked in pencil, including feather stitched flowers between points of satellite stars. Backed with muslin; Velcro attached four sides. Applied straight binding seamed to top. No filling. Border, diamond grid; around set, floral motif with diagonal parallel line quilting; center, concentric octagonal quilting. Applied straight binding seamed to top. No filling. Border, diamond grid; around set, floral motif with diagonal parallel line quilting; center, concentric octagonal quilting.152683667Artist unidentifiedTextilesUnited StatesPennsylvaniaTextilesStar variations have always been among the most popular designs for pieced quilts. Perhaps the most common is the Star of Bethlehem pattern in which hundreds of diamond shaped patches radiate outward from a central eight-pointed star to form one, overall star. Precision in cutting and piecing is vital in this pattern, as a slight error is compounded many times over as the pieces are stitched together and the star grows in size. The Star of Bethlehem was one of the earlier star patterns and effectively covered a broad area, often as large as eight feet across. A variation in the Star of bethlehem pattern is the addition of smaller stars, as in the use of small harvest stars in the corners of this quilt. A more unusual feature is the use of four half stars cut off at the outside border. A similar, though earlier, quilt from Ephrata, PA is cited above. The colors and fabrics used in this quilt indicate a late nineteenth century date and are typical of Pennsylvania quilts.revival19001970 1985 4 1 Star variations have always been among the most popular designs for pieced quilts. Perhaps the most common is the Star of Bethlehem pattern in which hundreds of diamond shaped patches radiate outward from a central eight-pointed star to form one, overall star. Precision in cutting and piecing is vital in this pattern, as a slight error is compounded many times over as the pieces are stitched together and the star grows in size. The Star of Bethlehem was one of the earlier star patterns and effectively covered a broad area, often as large as eight feet across. A variation in the Star of bethlehem pattern is the addition of smaller stars, as in the use of small harvest stars in the corners of this quilt. A more unusual feature is the use of four half stars cut off at the outside border. A similar, though earlier, quilt from Ephrata, PA is cited above. The colors and fabrics used in this quilt indicate a late nineteenth century date and are typical of Pennsylvania quilts.revival