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| c. 1800 - a close look reveals many of the patches were made of scraps |
There is a difference between quilts made with scraps and scrap quilts, and the distinction is at the heart of what mystifies people most about America's earliest quilts. The romantic idea of quiltmaking in America is that it was born out of necessity, and that American patchwork evolved from "make-do" quilts, made to keep people warm at night. Talk about alternative facts!
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| pieced quilt, wools, unknown maker, c. 1800, Rhode Island |
America's earliest patchwork quilts were decorative bedcoverings, elegant objects owned by affluent families living in well appointed homes. Quilts were included in the staging of homes. As furnishings, quilts and other types of bedcovers formally dressed the beds. For some readers, this general idea about early American quilts might
ring a bell. If not, please
read this blog.
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| detail: click to view enlarged version, and notice the seams in the patches |
Geometric patchwork quilts, such as this T-shaped wool quilt from Rhode Island (pictured), started to appear around 1800. The quilts were elegant, but beyond that, they were modern. They were also made with scraps. A close look at the detail shots reveals seams in the patches, many of which were pieced together with multiple scraps of matching fabrics. When the makers did not have a piece big enough for a patch, they made patches from small bits of fabric.
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| detail: click to view enlarged version, and notice the seams in the patches |
At the time, fabric was among the most valuable commodities in America. Mills were beginning to open, but the bulk of fabrics were imported, heavily taxed, and quite costly. The cost of fabric could explain the frugal use of it, although the quilts were designed to be anything but frugal looking. Even affluent families treated fabric as something precious. Their quilts may have been made with scraps, but they were not scrap quilts.
What is a scrap quilt? It may be a matter of style. Stay tuned for part 2...
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The truth shall prevail. Lovely quilt too.
ReplyDeleteI love a cliff hanger!
ReplyDeleteThis is still a misunderstanding in scrap quilting. So many people believe we just run across "scraps" as if they were cigarette butts on the pavement. It's too bad others treat truth with the same low regard.
ReplyDeleteFascinating article! I always learn so much from your blog, and love the sumptuous pictures you provide, along with your love of quilts and your encyclopedic knowledge. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou said.... imported, heavily taxed, and quite costly and if Trump has his way that is what will happen to OUR quilt fabric. And then I will be soooooo happy that I have closets and closets of fabric.
ReplyDelete