Womenfolk Quilt History Collection

Breneman, Judy Anne

November; 10; 2022

An archive of articles from the Womenfolk: The Art of Quilting and Quilts and Quiltmaking Yesterday and Today website.

Collection

51-149-3

Womenfolk 65. Doll Biscuit of Puff Quilt Pattern from the 1970s

Breneman, Judy Anne

2008

This article from the website, Womenfolk.com is part of the Quilts to Warm Each Sleeping Baby and Child: History & Patterns essays. Quilts are a traditional gift that are cherished for years and often kep as heirlooms. Handmade Baby quilts from history add a special loving touch.

Ephemera

51-149-62

Womenfolk 66. Patterns From the Mid 1900s for Doll & Baby Scottie Dog Quilts

Breneman, Judy Anne

2008

This article from the website, Womenfolk.com is part of the Quilts to Warm Each Sleeping Baby and Child: History & Patterns essays. Quilts are a traditional gift that are cherished for years and often kep as heirlooms. Handmade Baby quilts from history add a special loving touch.

Ephemera

51-149-63

Womenfolk 67. Patterns From the Depression Era for Doll & Baby Basket Quilts

Breneman, Judy Anne

2008

This article from the website, Womenfolk.com is part of the Quilts to Warm Each Sleeping Baby and Child: History & Patterns essays. Quilts are a traditional gift that are cherished for years and often kep as heirlooms. Handmade Baby quilts from history add a special loving touch.

Ephemera

51-149-64

Womenfolk 68. Doll & Crib Log Cabin Quilts From the Victorian Era

Breneman, Judy Anne

2008

This article from the website, Womenfolk.com is part of the Quilts to Warm Each Sleeping Baby and Child: History & Patterns essays. Quilts are a traditional gift that are cherished for years and often kep as heirlooms. Handmade Baby quilts from history add a special loving touch.

Ephemera

51-149-65

Womenfolk 69. Nine Patch Quilt Patterns for Babies and Dolls

Breneman, Judy Anne

2008

This article from the website, Womenfolk.com is part of the Quilts to Warm Each Sleeping Baby and Child: History & Patterns essays. Quilts are a traditional gift that are cherished for years and often kep as heirlooms. Handmade Baby quilts from history add a special loving touch.

Ephemera

51-149-66

Womenfolk 70. Doll & Baby Medallion Quilts Post Colonial Early 19th Century

Breneman, Judy Anne

2008

This article from the website, Womenfolk.com is part of the Quilts to Warm Each Sleeping Baby and Child: History & Patterns essays. Quilts are a traditional gift that are cherished for years and often kep as heirlooms. Handmade Baby quilts from history add a special loving touch.

Ephemera

51-149-67

Storybook Quilts from the Wisconsin Quilt History Project

Donaldson, Beth

November; 8; 2016

Four quilts based on children's literature.

Gallery

15-137-1

Themes for Educators: Children's Literature

Sikarskie, Amanda Grace

2011

Using quilts in a classroom setting can be a beneficial tool for teachers and students. Listed here are quilts regarding children's literature.

Gallery

1-112-16

Using Picture Books and the Quilt Index in the Elementary Social Studies Curriculum

Kent, Theresa H.

2011

Social Studies is explored in this 3 class period lesson plan.

Lesson Plan

8-109-2

Gasperik 05: Gifts for Children

Waldvogel, Merikay

May; 12; 2005

Gallery

18-121-8

Beauty in the Home

Crumb, Edith B.

April; 29; 1933

A portion of a Beauty in the Home column including a description and form to order the new Detroit News Wonder Package, an advertisement for the Quilt Club corner radio show, and an advertisement for the 26th, 27th and 28th quilt block in the Horoscope quilt, a coupon for Quilt Club membership, and letters from Quilt Club Corner members.

Ephemera

18-121-1283

Brother and Sister Enjoy Gay Coverlets

The Detroit News

December; 6; 1934

An advertisement for the Brother-Sister Quilts leaflets.

Ephemera

18-121-1657

Youngsters Will Enjoy New Quilts

Crumb, Edith B.

December; 3; 1934

A Quilt Club Corner column including letters from Quilt Club members.

Ephemera

18-121-1654

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 01

Crumb, Edith B.

November; 28; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1650

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 02

Crumb, Edith B.

November; 28; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1651

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 03

Crumb, Edith B.

December; 6; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1655

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 04

Crumb, Edith B.

December; 6; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1656

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 05

The Detroit News

December; 13; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1660

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 06

Crumb, Edith B.

December; 13; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1661

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 07

Crumb, Edith B.

December; 20; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1662

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 08

Crumb, Edith B.

December; 20; 1934

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1663

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 09

Crumb, Edith B.

January; 10; 1935

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1670

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 10

Crumb, Edith B.

January; 10; 1935

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1671

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 11

Crumb, Edith B.

January; 17; 1935

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1673

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 12

Crumb, Edith B.

January; 17; 1935

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1674

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 13

Crumb, Edith B.

January; 24; 1935

A Quilt Club Corner column including a coupon for Quilt Club membership and letters from Quilt Club members.

Ephemera

18-121-1677

Brother-Sister Quilts-Leaflet No. 14

Crumb, Edith B.

January; 24; 1935

A leaflet for the Brother-Sister Quilts pattern series.

Ephemera

18-121-1678

You Are Urged to write Letters to the Corner

Crumb, Edith B.

February; 2; 1935

A Quilt Club Corner column including an adverstisement for the Brother-Sister quilt series leaflet and letters from Quilt Club members.

Ephemera

18-121-290

Fourth Quilt From This Design

Crumb, Edith B.

August; 21; 1937

A Quilt Club Corner Column including a birthday list of Quilt Club members.

Ephemera

18-121-2006

Kittens and Scotties Appliqued on Quilt

Crumb, Edith B.

April; 23; 1940

A Quilt Club Corner Column including a coupon to enter the show.

Ephemera

18-121-2237

New Pattern For Children's Quilt Called 'The Circus Parade'

Crumb, Edith B.

October; 29; 1939

A Quilt Club Corner Column introducing a new quilt pattern- The Circus Parade.

Ephemera

18-121-573

New Baby's Bib

The Detroit News

August; 16; 1934

A pattern leaflet for an appliqued baby's bib.

Ephemera

18-121-1604

Pretty Sunbonnet Quilt by Girls of Scout Troop No. 19

Crumb, Edith B.

January; 19; 1937

A portion of a Quilt Club Corner and Thread and Thimble Club. This column includes the description and image of a quilt made by a girl scout troop.

Ephemera

18-121-441

Sugar Sacks Were Inspiration for This Quilt

Crumb, Edith B.

April; 25; 1935

A Quilt Club Corner column including letters from Quilt Club members and a list of new members.

Ephemera

18-121-318

Gay Prints Are Used in This

Crumb, Edith B.

November; 14; 1936

A portion of a Quilt Club Corner column including a list of Quilt Club members and a list of Quilt Club members' birthdays.

Ephemera

18-121-422

Beauty in the Home - Quilt Club Corner

Crumb, Edith B.

November; 6; 1932

A portion of a Beauty in the Home column featuring letters from members of the Quilt Club Corner and the leaflet for the fourth pattern in the Horoscope quilt.

Ephemera

18-121-141

Mother Goose Quilt Series

The Detroit News

August; 2; 1936

A General Direction Leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series patterns.

Ephemera

18-121-1867

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 01

The Detroit News

August; 2; 1936

The first pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Mother Goose.

Ephemera

18-121-1868

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 02

The Detroit News

August; 2; 1936

The second pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Hi, Diddle, Diddle.

Ephemera

18-121-1869

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 03

The Detroit News

August; 2; 1936

The third pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Jack Be Nimble.

Ephemera

18-121-1870

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 04

The Detroit News

August; 25; 1936

The fourth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Little Tommy Tucker.

Ephemera

18-121-1878

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 05

The Detroit News

August; 25; 1936

The fifth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Mary and Her Little Lamb.

Ephemera

18-121-1879

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 06

The Detroit News

August; 25; 1936

The sixth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Old King Cole.

Ephemera

18-121-1880

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 07

The Detroit News

September; 2; 1936

The seventh pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Polly Put the Kettle On.

Ephemera

18-121-1884

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 08

The Detroit News

September; 2; 1936

The eighth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Old Woman in the Shoe.

Ephemera

18-121-1923

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 09

The Detroit News

September; 2; 1936

The seventh pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Mary, Quite Contrary.

Ephemera

18-121-1885

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 10

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The tenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, My Son, John.

Ephemera

18-121-1924

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 11

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The eleventh pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Tom, The Piper's Son.

Ephemera

18-121-1925

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 12

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The twelfth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Jack and Jill.

Ephemera

18-121-1941

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 13

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The thirteenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Jack Sprat.

Ephemera

18-121-1926

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 14

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The fourteenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Humpty Dumpty.

Ephemera

18-121-1927

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 15

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The fifteenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Little Miss Muffet.

Ephemera

18-121-1928

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 16

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The sixteenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Little Bo-Peep.

Ephemera

18-121-1929

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 17

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The seventeenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Three Men In A Tub.

Ephemera

18-121-1931

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 18

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The eighteenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Simple Simon.

Ephemera

18-121-1930

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 19

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The nineteenth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, Curley Locks.

Ephemera

18-121-1932

Mother Goose Quilt Series - Pattern No. 20

The Detroit News

September; 1936

The twentieth pattern leaflet for the Mother Goose Quilt Series, The Crooked Man.

Ephemera

18-121-1933

Unique Nursery Quilt, Care Is Given to Details

Crumb, Edith B.

November; 26; 1940

A Quilt Club Corner column describing a prize winning nursery quilt.

Ephemera

18-121-614

LAC No.7028-Peter Rabbit Quilt

Ladies Art Company

1934

A quilt pattern published by the Ladies Art Company.
  

Ephemera

12-91-406

LAC No.7023-Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Bill

Ladies Art Company

1934

A quilt pattern published by the Ladies Art Company.
  

Ephemera

12-91-402

01-004; The Traveling Photographer

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Original engraving from
The Illustrated London News
September 13, 1873
Engraving by Jenkin
"The Traveling Photographer"
Size: 9.75" x 12.5"

The photographer is busy focusing his view camera on a wealthy young mother in a bustling gown, with child. Her mustachioed husband, in a uniform with a cane, stands by, while a second young daughter holds their third child. Two curious boys, likely street urchins (one holds a broom), watch the proceedings, one staring intently at the photographer, whose head is under a dark cloth used to allow the photographer to view a dim, upside-down image on the camera's ground glass focusing screen. The photographer's assistant stands at the photographer's side, ready with camera plate holder loaded with plates covered with photographic emulsion, prepared for the purpose of capturing the portrait. A wealthy grandfather in a fine top hat watches over the proceedings with a look of admiration flanked by his wife, apparently the grandmother of the young model and the great-grandmother of the children. A beggar woman with an expression of helplessness is about to approach the grandfather. A baby carriage rests at the side. The photographer's portable darkroom/wagon, used for loading and processing plates, includes a sign "PICTURES 1 SHILLING EACH."

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

Ephemera

55-162-54

02-006; Child, Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cased Tintype c. 1860
Photographer: Unknown
Size: Fourth Plate (3.125" x 4.125")

Post mortem children are most commonly staged in their bed, on a parlor's chaise lounge, or in the child's wicker carriage. In this tintype image, dark bars of fabric separate the quilt's pieced columns, made up of Four Patch blocks set on-point.

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

Ephemera

55-162-59

02-020; Anna Cornelia Alleman, Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Carte De Visite (CDV) c. 1868-1869
Photographer: P.S. Weaver, Hanover, Pennsylvania
Size: 2.5" x 4"

Little Anna Cornelia was born January 17, 1865. She lived 3 or 4 short years before passing away sometime in 1868 or 1869. Anna rests peacefully under her mother's appliqued leaf quilt. The photograph came to me in a carte de visite album filled with children's images from the Alleman family. The name "Father Alleman" is inscribed in pencil on this particular album page. The Allman, of German decent, were among the early settlers in the area. Horace Alleman received his medical degree from Gettysburg's Pennsylvania College. On Aril 16, 1847, he married Rebecca B. Winnemore, also a native of Lancaster County. The union produced 10 children, five of whom survived to adulthood. In 1859, Horace and Rebecca settled in Hanover, Pennsylvania (14 miles from Gettysburg), where Dr. Alleman practiced medicine for the next thirty years. The Battle of Hanover took place on June 30, 1863. During a lull in the fighting, after the first charge, the citizens carried the dead and injured from Hanover's streets. Dr. Alleman was one of the local physicians attending the eleven killed and forty-four wounded.

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

Ephemera

55-162-68

02-041; Julia Moore, Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cabinet Card, dated 1883
Photographer: T.P. Garrett, Bloomington, Illinois
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

With information gleaned from geneaology records, the mother, Julia Moore, was 23 at the time her baby Julia passed away on August 28, 1883, at 8 months of age, in Carlinville, Macoupin County, Illinois. Carlinville lies southwest of Bloomington, Illinois. Thomas P. Garrett was considered one of the most skillful photographers of Bloomington. His portrait studio was located at No. 221 North Main Street. A native of Delaware, born to Quaker farming parents, Thomas remained at home until he was sixteen years old. After completing his primary studies, he attended the Normal School for three years and then went to Wilmington, Delaware, and learned photography. At the age of eighteen, on July 10, 1864, he enlisted and served in the 1st Delaware Artillery until the end of the Civil War. He resumed his photography profession in the ensuing years in Kansas, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania before settling, in 1879, in Bloomington, Illinois. He married, had children, and remained in Bloomington in his chosen profession the remainder of his life.

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

Ephemera

55-162-80

02-044; Portrait of Baby Allen

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cabinet Card, dated 1884
Photographer: H.W. Bray, Assumption, Illinois
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

Nestled against a highly decorated Crazy quilt, Baby Allen is dressed in his christening gown for his first portrait. This is his great-grandmother's Crazy quilt embellished with embroidered eight pointed flowers, vines, and leaves. Arranged in plain sight for posterity to record is a signature block, whose writing states, "Made for Baby Allen by his great grandmother aged 75. Made in 1884." On each side of the signature quilt are found odd-shaped fabrics applied to the quilt with a blanket stitch around the outside edges. The images depicted in embroidery thread are the popular Kate Greenaway children.

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

Ephemera

55-162-82

02-047; Two Children and a Churn Dash Quilt

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

UnCased Tintype c. 1884-1886
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.625" x 3.25"

Two children are posed in front of a quilt made with a Churn Dash or Hole in the Barn Door block. Barbara Brackman, in her Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, lists over two dozen names for this popular block. The sashing found around the blocks in this quilt is unusual. Normally, sashing is seen as a solid piece of fabric that goes between the block and acts as a frame. Not every quilt will have sashing, but it is commonly used to give definition. This quilt's sashing appears to be composed of thin, narrow strips on each side of a wider strip, which must have been a challenge for the quiltmaker.

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

Ephemera

55-162-84

02-053; Baby and a Crazy Quilt

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cabinet Card c. 1885-1889
Photographer: Thornton Barrette, Ironton, Ohio
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

The photograh was taken by Irontown, Ohio, photographer, Thornton Barrette, who lavishly advertised on the card's beautiful backmark that his artistic photography studio specialized in the "instantaneous portraits of children." Diane Gagel, author of Ohio Photographers 1839-1900, has researched and found that Thornton Barrette was born in 1852 in Greenup County, Kentucky. He was a photographer in Ironton, on the corner of Second and Center Streets, from 1885-1889. Barrette also had a riverboat photography studio moored on the Ohio River at Russell, Kentucky, and known as the Barrette Portrait Company. Labeled as the "Mathew Brady of Ohio Riverboat Photographers," Barrette also collected photographs of riverboats. Thornton died in 1930 in Volusia County, Florida. The Crazy quilt most likely belonged to the baby's mother, as she would have been proud to display her fine needlework. The Crazy quilt contains an unusual fringed border.

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

Ephemera

55-162-88

03-074; Winlie Butler with Two Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cabinet Card c. 1897-1910
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

A pieced Album style quilt is the backdrop for this portrait of three children. One of the children went by the name "Winlie Butler" as this is what is written on the Cabinet Card's verso. In Linda Otto Lipsett's book, Remember Me: Women and Their Friendship Quilts, this exact block is found on a quilt made in Vermont in 1860 by Julia Stevens Crosby, and described as a "Nine Patch" variation. The Crosby quilt contains signatures in the center of each block, thereby qualifying it as an Album style quilt.

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

Ephemera

55-162-106

03-088; Family Portrait

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Mounted Photograph c. 1899-1905
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 6" x 8" on a 10" x 12" mount

A large family of eight children and a mother, father, and grandfather pose before a pieced Union Square quilt. A framed portrait, most likely the deceased grandmother, is hung in front of the quilt. This photograph is an example of the "remembrance photography" the Victorians were so fond of staging.

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

Ephemera

55-162-119

04-015; Three Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Mounted Photograph c. 1900-1905
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.625" x 4" on a 3.5" x 5.25" mount

Posed in front of the family's Ocean Wave quilt (or quilt top as quilting lines appear to be missing) these three siblings are on best behavior. Ocean Wave quilts are good candidates for scrap fabrics, as the quilt in this photograph shows a use of plain and printed fabrics.

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

Ephemera

55-162-134

04-016; Woman with Two Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cabinet Card c. 1900-1906
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

A quilt composed of wool or felt appliqued leaves/petals whose edges are finished in an embroidered blanket stitch is the background chosen by this quiltmaker for her portrait with her two serious-minded children.

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

Ephemera

55-162-135

04-034; Basil H, Stewart, wife Mary, and Their Grandchildren

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cabinet Card c. 1902
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

Basil H. Stewart and his second wife, Mary, pose with their grandchildren, Wallen, age 4, and Eva, age 1. Basil and his first wife, Susan M. Rayneer, were married in 1875 and had two children, Alice (born 1879) and Joe. By 1900, Basil, a widowed fruit agent, had married Mary. In the 1910 Federal Census, he was listed as a clerk in a store in Rosine, Kentucky. The grandchildren belonged to their daughter, Alice Duylos. In addition to having a Crazy quilt hanging as the backdrop for their photograph, the family uses another quilt to cover the dirt ground. This second quilt, heavily quilted and showing what is probably its backside, was in all probability regarded as a utitility quilt as opposed to the Crazy quilt displaying the fancywork skills of its maker, most likely Mary. There are embroidered roosters, a tea pot, flowers, and a bird on a branch seen partially behind Basil's head. Rosine is a small hamlet in rural western Kentucky famous for being the home of Bill Monroe, who became known as "The Father of Bluegrass."

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

Ephemera

55-162-150

04-035; Harold, Hazel, and Lyman

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cabinet Card c. 1902
Photographer: H.R. Montgomery, Osage, Iowa
Size: 4.25" x 6.5"

Lined up in stair-step precision, Harold, Hazel, and Lyman (names written on the card's verso), sit with folded hands and in perfect obedience for their photograph, taken in the family's parlor. Genealogy research reveals that the photographer was the children's father, Herbert (b. July 1870 in Wisconsin), who, in the 1900 census, was listed as a cream gatherer, so photography was a secondary income stream. Their mother was Elizabeth. All three children were born in Osage, Iowa. The Crazy quilt found on the Victorian day couch was typical for the time period. The quilt's cottons and wools look more utilitarian and functional than the more elaborate Crazies of the 1870-1880s, which were made with silks, velvets, and detailed silk embroideries.

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

Ephemera

55-162-151

04-039; Eva Himelick and daughter's Irene and Ester

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Mounted Photograph c. 1902-1909
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.75" x 4.75" on a 5.75" x 6.75" mount

"Eva (Camp) Himelick, daughter's Irene and Ester. Grandma Camp, Ella's oldest sister and her children" is written on the photograph's verso. What a beautiful example of a Democratic Rose variation.

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

Ephemera

55-162-155

04-060; Two Children and a Baby

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Mounted Photograph c. 1910-1915
Photographer: Joseph G. Morris
Size: 4" x 6.25" on a 7" x 11" mount

Three siblings pose outdoors for their portrait taken by Pittsbugh, Pennsylvania, photographer, Joseph G. Morris. The baby is covered by a quilt made from especially large flannel tobacco premiums. The flag flannels used in this quilt were the most common design, although there are many other patterns such as butterflies and Native American designs. Morris operated his photography studio at 125 Sixth Street beginning in the late 1890s. His father, David W., was a photographer, and Joseph's son, Harry J., became a photographer's apprentice at age 18. In 1894, Joseph G. Morris photographed Theodore Dreiser, the American novelist who wrote Sister Carrie in 1900 and an American Tragedy in 1925.

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

Ephemera

55-162-172

04-065; Grace, Cecil, Margett and Chester

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1910-1918
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

Four siblings pose outdoors for their photograph in what appears to be a rural setting. Written on the postcard's verso are the children's names: Grace, Cecil, Margett and Chester (not necessarily left to right). The quilt draped on the chair is probably the back side of mother's quilt. The back side reveals an excellent example of fan quilting, also known as elbow quilting.

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

Ephemera

55-162-175

04-070; Portrait of Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1910-1918
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

Lone Star, Star of Bethlehem, Blazing Star, and Pride of Texas are just a few of the names attributed to this quilt's single star set in a calico print and surrounded by a double border.

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

Ephemera

55-162-180

04-072; Portrait of Siblings

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1910-1918
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

Mama posed her two precious children, one standing and one seated on a low chair, outdoors in front of a quilt with an interesting calico print. If this was the quilt's front, we would call it a whole cloth quilt, as it was quilted in one fabric without piecing or applique.

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

Ephemera

55-162-182

04-077; Five Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1911
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

Five children are definitely making a statement, but what are they saying? Did the children's mother make the Crazy quilt supporting the baby's back?

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

Ephemera

55-162-186

04-078; One of the Berry Boys

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1911
Photographer: James Bruin, Linn Creek, Missouri
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

"Who is this? One of the Berry Boys but which one? I think Sidney," is written in pencil on the postcard's verso. The photographer's name, James Bruin, and location, Linn Creek, Missouri, is printed in small type along the outer edge. It is the only example in my collection of a real photo postcard photographer being identified. Baby Sidney shows up in the 1920 Federal Census as being nine years old, and the second to the youngest of five children of Alexander and Mollie Berry, all born in Missouri. Baby Sidney's fancy wicker carriage has a Nine Patch quilt, alternating with setting squares, draped at one end.

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

Ephemera

55-162-187

04-098; Children in the Nursery

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Albumen Print c. 1915-1925
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3" x 5"

A nursery scene features an Irish Chain quilt in the crib. The two young children are seated at a quilt covered child's table and chair set.

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

Ephemera

55-162-7

05-005; Portraits of Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1920-1925
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

These two photo postcards were purchased three years apart! It is extraordinary that they are finally united and tell the story of four siblings. In the postcard on the left, the two sisters stand in front of their mother's tobacco Flannel Flag quilt composed of the flags of the world. The postcard on the right shows an even younger sister dressed in a similar checked dress. Her infant sibling, either a brother or a sister, is seated in a wagon or stroller. The very same Flannel Flag quilt is in the background.

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

Ephemera

55-162-13

05-024; Three Women and Two Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Second Edition Print, dated 1946 (first printing 1937)
Photographer: Russell Lee
Size: 8.5" x 10.75"

The original photograph depicting a quilting party in an Alvin, Wisconsin, home was taken in 1937 by Russel Lee for the Farm Security Administration and is in the archives of the Office of War Information Photograph Collection in Washington, D.C. My copy comes from a second printing, distributed in 1946 by the Creative Education Society, Mankato, Minnesota. The series was used by elementary school teachers in the 1940s and 1950s as visual aides depicting what women could do in the United States during and after WWII. To quote from the material printed on the photograph's verso: The progress of women has not reached all women. Many women live in poor homes where money was scarce, and there is not enough work for the men to do. Many of these women have taken up again the handcrafts, or ways of making things which their ancestors used. Some of them weave rugs and towels and embroider linens. Some make quilts out of tiny scraps of cloth. They sometimes work in groups like the women in the picture. It is easier to get the quilt laid out and planned when several people work together than when each works alone. The quilt block name for this scrappy top is unknown but could to be a variation of a Pinwheel of a Windmill block.

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

Ephemera

55-162-29

05-031; Mrs. Florence Garvey with two children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1952
Photographer: Snuffy McGill
Size: 8" x 10"

Mrs. Florence Garvey, age 78, Detroit, Michigan, works on an appliqued Album Quilt. "Each block is different," stated Mrs. Garvey in the tag line, "and this pattern is 100 years old from Georgia. It took one year to make." Also noted was the information that Mrs. Garvey was a member of The Detroit News Quilt Club Corner during the 1930s and 1940s.
Press photo taken by Snuffy McGill, Detroit, Michigan, 1952. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

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

Ephemera

55-162-35

06-016; Mrs. Sylvia Carlen with an boy and girl

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

1952, Snuffy McGill, Detroit, Michigan

Mrs. Sylvia Carlen, age 82, holds a "Mother's Flower Garden" on her lap while her grandchildren, Lois and Verry Deneau, watch attentively. Mrs. Carlen has won over 140 ribbons for her quilts since 1911.
Photo taken by Snuffy McGill, Detroit, Michigan, 1952. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

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

Ephemera

55-162-52