T1976.93
Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumCotton
Dimensions87 × 85.5 in. (221 × 217.2 cm)
Classifications(not assigned)
Credit LineMuseum Collection 1976
Object numberT1976.93
DescriptionA machine pieced quilt in the Churn Dash (also called the Monkey Wrench) pattern, with blocks of white and maroon printed and white cotton set on point six by six alternating with blocks of plain white cotton. A plain white cotton backing is brought to the front, turned, and stitched to create a narrow binding. The entire quilt is hand quilted, using cross-hatch pattern on the pieced blocks and a stenciled compass pattern on the plain blocks. The quilt's batting appears to be a medium-thickness cotton.Curatorial RemarksIt is often difficult to trace specific quilt patterns back to their origins. In part this is due to patterns being called by two or more names. The "churn dash" pattern is a variation of a traditional nine-patch block. Depending upon the orientation of the blocks within the overall quilt arrangement - either straight set or on point - different combinations and results were achieved. Churn Dash, so called because it somewhat resembles the crossed paddles attached to the end of a barrel-style butter churn, dates back to at least the 1850s and perhaps earlier. The strongly geometric lines also reminded quilters of the tools used to fasten and tighten wagon wheels, known as "monkey wrenches." Some theorize that the Churn Dash or Monkey Wrench quilt patterns were sometimes used as signals along the Underground Railroad along with other particular quilt patterns such as Jacob's Ladder. This quilt, with its machine pieced blocks and binding, dates from around 1915 to the early 1920s. Quilting experienced a revival in the first decades of the 20th century. Improvements in mass printing and the introduction of a wide array of magazines designed specifically for women extending far beyond the Godey's Lady's Magazine and its competitors in the 19th century, helped support and inspire a new generation of quiltmakers. The Ladies Home Journal, introduced in 1883, became the first magazine in America to reach one million subscribers, doing so in 1903. During the Great Depression, when other magazines saw serious decline in subscriptions, Good Housekeeping saw profits of more than two million dollars in 1938. Many of these magazines included quilting columns, including pattern pieces for applique and pieced quilts which could be traced or cut out. The Great Depression was also responsible for a return to frugality, including the use and reuse of dress and household fabric scraps to create quilts.
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