Flower Applique Quilt

Although the design for this quilt in thought to be original, it is typical of the conventional applique quilt found with quilt makers around the 1840s. A highly stylized flower motif was borrowed and adapted from the embroidery patterns of the day. Influenced by the popular album-style quilts, mid 19th-century quilt makers favored block construction techniques for their applique quilts. Boarders took on special importance and were often ornate, entwined with swags, vines and floral trails.

The center of quilt has 11” blocks. A plain block alternates with an appliqued block showing a stylized flower on a stem. The flowers are red or yellow, stems are green. A 10 1/2” border on three sides has a winding vine of red flowers. The top side of the quilt has a narrow border on which Amanda proudly appliqued in script her name and the date.

Techniques: Hand appliqued, hand pieced, hand quilted
Culture: American
Geographic Location: North and Central America - United States
Credit Line: Gift of Catharine Maxwell