Quilt
PeriodCirca 1890
Place MadePossibly New Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumSilk, satin, silk velvet, cotton velvet, silk embroidery floss
Dimensions66.5 × 60.5 in. (168.9 × 153.7 cm)
ClassificationsQuilts and Coverlets
Credit LineGif of Mrs. R. Willis Post, 1982
Object number1982.12
DescriptionA variation of the Crazy Quilt pattern, blocks arranged in a four by four straight set without sashing. Each block contains a wide variety of patterned and solid silks, satins, and velvets, highlighted with silk embroidery in blanket, turkey, and outline stitches. Embroidered single flower blossoms including daisies and sunflowers are scattered throughout, in satin stitch. A wide (eight inch) border of hot pink velvet with diagonal corner seams and a matching hot pink velvet backing is included. Backing and border may have been added later.Curatorial RemarksAfter the Cijvil War, many quilt makers embraced the new "Crazy Quilt" style of quiltmaking. Rather than using traditional pieced or appliqued patterns, crazy quilts used a dizzying array of luxury fabrics including silks, satins, and velvets, even incorporating printed or woven satin ribbons from fairs and political events. Many quilters took this style even further, embellishing their "crazy quilts" with embroidery ranging from simple outline stitching to a wide range of stiches such as turkey stitch, blanket stitch, and other decorative ornamentation. Crazy quilt "kits" could be purchased, providing a quilter with pre-cut fabric scraps. Not everyone was a fan of the crazy quilt, and many newspaper articles appeared criticizing the "fad" for such wild patterns.
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