BRITCHY QUILT
Catherine Somerville (dates unknown)
Recycling & Resourcefulness: Quilts of the 1930s highlights twelve quilts from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum that were made during the Depression era by thrifty women who reused clothing, flour and feed sacks, and other recycled fabrics to create “new” bedcovers in a variety of vibrant patterns. Also on view are works from the American Folk Art Museum’s collection that further explore the theme of recycling, such as the Wonderbread Rug, woven from plastic Wonderbread bags; Baby Blanket, made up entirely of condoms in aluminum wrappers; tramp art made from cigar boxes; bottle-cap figures; and quilts made from men’s clothing fabrics and patriotic silk ribbons.
An International Quilt Study Center Exhibition, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The presentation of “Recycling & Resourcefulness: Quilts of the 1930s” at the American Folk Art Museum’s Lincoln Square branch location is supported by Joyce Berger Cowin.
Hexagons Quilt
Artist unidentified
Possibly Tennessee
c. 1930–1940
Cotton
86 x 74 in.
International Quilt Study Center & Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ardis and Robert James Collection, 2006.43.211
Chinese Fan Quilt
Artist unidentified
Possibly Cass County, Illinois
c. 1932
Cotton
81 x 81 in.
International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ardis and Robert James Collection, 1997.7.366
Postage Stamp Quilt
Artist unidentified
Probably Dallas, Texas
c. 1920–1940
Cotton
80 x 65 in.
International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ardis and Robert James Collection, 2006.43.104
Grandmother’s Fan Quilt
Artist unidentified
Possibly Midwestern United States
c. 1920–1940
Cotton
93 x 63 1/2 in.
International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ardis and Robert James Collection, 1997.7.36
Sampler Quilt
Artist unidentified
Probably Indiana
c. 1920–1940
Cotton
94 x 74 in.
International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ardis and Robert James Collection, 2006.43.123
Alphabet Quilt
Artist unidentified
Possibly Randolph County, North Carolina
c. 1930–1950
Cotton
81 1/2 x 64 1/2 in.
International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Robert and Helen Cargo Collection, 2000.4.2
The presentation of “Recycling & Resourcefulness: Quilts of the 1930s” at the American Folk Art Museum’s Lincoln Square branch location is supported by Joyce Berger Cowin.
