Sunshine and Shadow Quilt, c. 1920
Unknown Amishexpand_more
Cotton, wool, synthetic materials; pieced and quiltedexpand_more
Gift of Katherine Komanoff Goodmanexpand_more 2003.257.3
Not on Viewexpand_more
Traces of wear and tear tell us this quilt functioned as a bedcover. To create it, an Amish woman gathered and stitched together a variety of fabric pieces—cottons, satins, fine dress woolens, and even synthetics. Strict codes governed Amish everyday life in the 1800s and early 1900s such that Amish women used mainly homespun fabrics in somber colors produced by natural dyes. Though they adopted the sewing machine when it was invented in the mid-1800s, they continue to use only treadle models, powered by foot. That the maker of this quilt incorporated purchased fabrics dyed with synthetic colors reflects the changing times in which she lived.
Details
- Title
- Sunshine and Shadow Quilt
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2003.257.3
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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