1890-1899

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Barre, Vermont, United States

Cabinet Card c. 1885-1893
Photographer: Sherburne, Barre, Vermont
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

My first reaction to this image is that it is an occupational Cabinet Card depicting a roller skating vaudeville actress. After some reflection, I now believe that this is a young lady dressed in her Crazy quilt roller skating outfit and proud enough to want her portrait made wearing it. Crazy quilts were all the fad and roller skating costumes were the rage to wear when one went to the rink.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).