Crazy Quilt1885–189575 x 74 " (190.5 x 188 cm)Silk, ink, paint, silk embroidery on cottonGift of Margaret Cavigga1985.23.40152857927Artist unidentifiedTextilesThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. embroidered in gold thread on blue silk kerchief, block #13: 'S.H.'United StatesTextilesAmong the distinctive motifs on this quilt are the Kate Greenaway–style children that have been depicted in outline embroidery on a number of different blocks. Such embroidered, painted, or printed designs usually were not original creations by the maker of the quilt. Many of these figures were reproduced from designs found in magazines, books on fancywork, and manufacturers’ and store brochures. The patterns could be purchased outright or copied from printed sources.
Elizabeth V. Warren, "S.H. Crazy Quilt," in QUILTS: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2010.(including construction) Contained crazy quilt constructed of forty nine blocks pieced, appliqued and embroidered on plain muslin foundation, edged four sides with double border of red and gold machine quilted satin and bound in purple silk. Embroidered motifs include: birds, cats, owls, flowers (including chenille) butterflies, Egyptian pharoah's head, fans. Other designs include a lithographed terrier, rosette, anchor, little girl hiding eyes, paintings of flowers, painted lobster and Kate Greenaway figures: girl with butterfly, children sitting on brick wall. Backed with brocade and manufactured ribbon, no batting or quilting. Embroidery stitches include French knots, satin, herringbone, outline, feather and fishbone.Kate Greenaway figures gained enormous popularity in the late 19th century. Her illustrations were introduced into America with the publication of Under the Windows in 1878. By 1880 Godey's ran a page of embroidery designs by or based on Greenaways's illustrations. The figures were soon available as stamping patterns and were usually embroidered in outline stitch. The children sitting on a brick wall closely resemble a picture from Marigold Garden, published in 1885. Crazy Quilt18851895 1985 23 4 Among the distinctive motifs on this quilt are the Kate Greenaway–style children that have been depicted in outline embroidery on a number of different blocks. Such embroidered, painted, or printed designs usually were not original creations by the maker of the quilt. Many of these figures were reproduced from designs found in magazines, books on fancywork, and manufacturers’ and store brochures. The patterns could be purchased outright or copied from printed sources.
Elizabeth V. Warren, "S.H. Crazy Quilt," in QUILTS: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2010.(including construction) Contained crazy quilt constructed of forty nine blocks pieced, appliqued and embroidered on plain muslin foundation, edged four sides with double border of red and gold machine quilted satin and bound in purple silk. Embroidered motifs include: birds, cats, owls, flowers (including chenille) butterflies, Egyptian pharoah's head, fans. Other designs include a lithographed terrier, rosette, anchor, little girl hiding eyes, paintings of flowers, painted lobster and Kate Greenaway figures: girl with butterfly, children sitting on brick wall. Backed with brocade and manufactured ribbon, no batting or quilting. Embroidery stitches include French knots, satin, herringbone, outline, feather and fishbone.Kate Greenaway figures gained enormous popularity in the late 19th century. Her illustrations were introduced into America with the publication of Under the Windows in 1878. By 1880 Godey's ran a page of embroidery designs by or based on Greenaways's illustrations. The figures were soon available as stamping patterns and were usually embroidered in outline stitch. The children sitting on a brick wall closely resemble a picture from Marigold Garden, published in 1885. Crazy Quilt