Allentown Art Museum Quilts

While wandering through the Allentown Art Museum we came across an exhibit of fabulous quilts! There were so many exquisite examples of the beautiful craft that I felt they deserved their own dedicated blogpost.

Multicolored quilt in a diamond pattern made up of tiny squares of fabric at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Irish Chain, 1880-1900, Pieced and quilted cotton. Made in Franklin County, PA

Red black and yellow quilt with square center at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Delectable Mountains Variation, 1890-1900, Pieced and quilted cotton. Made in southeastern PA.

Red, black and pale yellow maize pattern with red border quilt at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Kansas Troubles, 1860-1875, Pieced and quilted cotton. Made by Maria Herr Moseman in Lancaster County, PA.

The “Cutting Edge” exhibit showed off imaginative 19th century quilts from Arlan and Pat Christ’s collection.

Floral patterns on off-white background quilt at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Original Design, 1850s, Appliquéd and quilted cotton with reverse appliqué and stuffwork berries. American

Multicolored quilt with many different floral patterns at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Baltimore Album (The Captain James Andrew Quilt), dated 1849, Appliquéd and quilted cotton. Made by Elizabeth Cahill Andrew in Baltimore, MD

Quilt with coral colored background and small squares of different patterns at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Sampler, 1860-1875, Pieced and quilted cotton with appliqué. Made by Maria Herr Moseman in Lancaster County, PA

Quilting is frequently associated with tradition, the results may have been a memory of patterns that were handed down from previous generations. But innovation and experimentation were also a key prt of quilt making throughout the ages. During the 1800s, women in America dramatically expanded the scope of patterns and techniques. The result has made quilting an American art form.

Off white, dark red, gold and olive green floral quilt with birds at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Cockscomb with Birds, ca. 1845-1860, Appliquéd and quilted cotton with embroidery. Made by Elizabeth Smith in Ohio.

Ivory, dark red, green and gold quilt with lyre pattern in center surrounded by floral wreath at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Lyre, ca. 1850-1870, Appliquéd and quilted cotton. American

Small rectangular quilt with ivory background and multicolored rooster, birds and florals at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Crib Coverlet, 1850-1870, Appliquéd cotton with chain stitch embroidery. Made by H. F., American. Probably made in Pennsylvania

Before the rise of printed patterns in textiles during the late 19th century, a quilter’s social circle was an integral part of design inspiration. Women gathered in “sewing circles” or had “quilting bees” to collaborate on the time consuming task of stitching an entire quilt top to the batting and backing layers.

Red, gold and black quilt with hexagon patterns and red border at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Hexagons, 1880-1900, Pieced and quilted cotton. American made, possibly in Pennsylvania

Multicolored quilt made of tiny squares with each square containing a small stamped name at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Friendship Album, 1875-1884, Pieced and quilted cotton, with manes stamped in ink. Made in Lancaster County, Pa by Bomberger and Bucher Family Members.

Lavender quilt with a variety of red flowers in center at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Berksie Reel, 1880-1900, Appliquéd and quilted cotton. Probably made in Berks County, PA

Locally and by mail, these women would share pattern templates. They’d also discover new patterns at local agricultural fairs, where there were often quilt contests and displays.

Orange and burgundy with lacy design quilt at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Scherenschnitte, 1890-1910, Appliquéd and quilted cotton. Made in southeastern Pennsylvania

Ivory, olive green and red quilt of dragon flies at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Original Design, dated 1890, Appliquéd and quilted cotton with pieced borders and cross-stitch inscription. Made by R.S.C.M. in Berks County, PA

Ivory, red and green quilt of pinwheels and flowers at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

Princess Feather, dated 1868, Appliquéd and quilted cotton with chain stitch inscription. Made in central Pennsylvania

The imaginative quilts that we saw in this beautiful exhibit illustrate the 19th century quilters’ yearning to meld tradition with innovation. The quilt’s purpose became much more than utilitarian. It became an opportunity for these women to express themselves with exuberance.

Multicolored patchwork quilt with black border at Allentown Art Museum Quilts

This one is my favorite! Log Cabin/Crazy, dated 1885, Pieced silk with embroidery. Made by a Styer Family Member in Langhorne (Bucks County), PA

There were many different techniques used in creating these wonderful quilts on exhibit at the Allentown Art Museum. What I found to be the most remarkable thing is that each and every stitch was done by hand, one tiny stitch at a time!!!

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