Textiles

The 50,000 objects in the textile collections fall into two main categories: raw fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and machines, tools, and other textile technology. Shawls, coverlets, samplers, laces, linens, synthetics, and other fabrics are part of the first group, along with the 400 quilts in the National Quilt Collection. Some of the Museum's most popular artifacts, such as the Star-Spangled Banner and the gowns of the first ladies, have an obvious textile connection.

The machinery and tools include spinning wheels, sewing machines, thimbles, needlework tools, looms, and an invention that changed the course of American agriculture and society. A model of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, made by the inventor in the early 1800s, shows the workings of a machine that helped make cotton plantations profitable in the South and encouraged the spread of slavery.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1990 02 28 / 1990 02 28
ID Number
1990.0199.141
catalog number
1990.0199.141
accession number
1990.0199
catalog number
1990.199.141
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1990 02 28 / 1990 02 28
ID Number
1990.0199.136
catalog number
1990.0199.136
accession number
1990.0199
catalog number
1990.199.136
Man in fawn-colored fall-front trousers, short blue jacket decorated with faceted gilt beads, and tall dark hat.
Description
Man in fawn-colored fall-front trousers, short blue jacket decorated with faceted gilt beads, and tall dark hat. On his arm, lady wearing long dress with wide white collar and blue bonnet tied with long bonnet-strings; she carries parasol and reticule and wears necklace or chain of gilt beads. To right of couple, blue-domed building (temple?) with tall columns on hill above pond, with two deer and flowering bush; to left of couple large tree and under it, sheep and dog. In each upper corner, bluebird under grapevine; children's names enclosed in panel outlined by wave band. Grapes on vines in upper corners worked by coiling purple thread and tacking down each coil in two or three places. Border on all four sides, straight vine bearing roses and rose buds. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, chain, four-sided, French knot. THREAD COUNT: warp 28, weft 28/in.
Inscriptions:
"FAMILY RECORD
Mr Levi Ingersoll was born Dec 26th 1775
Miss Sarah Hubbard was born Jan 2nd 1779
They were united in marriage Jan 31 1802
THEIR DESCENDANTS
Hannah Ingersoll was born Jan 30th 1803
Eliza Ingersoll was born Oct 30th 1804
Ann Ingersoll was born Nov 1st 1806
Henry H Ingersoll was born Feb 25th 1809
Charles Ingersoll was born Jan 23rd 1811
Jane Ingersoll was born July 1st 1815
Mary Ingersoll was born Sept 27th 1819 [last 2 numbers replaced or filled in later]
Sarah Ingersoll was born Feb 10th 1821 [last number replaced or filled in later]
By Miss Mary Ingersoll in the 9th year of her age New York 1830" [number 9 replaced or filled in later]
Background:
Mary was born on September 27, 1819, to Levi and Sarah Hubbard Ingersoll in Pound Ridge, New York. She died unmarried on April 18, 1889.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1830
associated dates
1990-03-26
maker
Ingersoll, Mary
ID Number
1990.0146.01
catalog number
1990.0146.01
accession number
1990.0146
In the 1970s, garment unions represented about 850,000 workers out of a total industry work force of 1.3 million. Membership declined rapidly as businesses moved offshore and into the non-union South and Southwest.
Description
In the 1970s, garment unions represented about 850,000 workers out of a total industry work force of 1.3 million. Membership declined rapidly as businesses moved offshore and into the non-union South and Southwest. In 1995, garment unions with a combined membership of about 335,000 merged to form the Union of Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees (UNITE). Organizing new workers has been a major priority.
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1995 / 1995
maker
Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees
ID Number
1995.0223.11
catalog number
1995.0223.11
accession number
1995.0223
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1990s
1990-1993
maker
Vue, Lia
ID Number
2011.0116.01
accession number
2011.0116
catalog number
2011.0116.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1990s
1990-1993
maker
Vue, Lia
Vue, Lia
ID Number
2011.0116.02
accession number
2011.0116
catalog number
2011.0116.02
The popularity of the 1937 Walt Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, based on a German fairy tale, inspired this quilt pattern. The movie has been re-released many times.
Description
The popularity of the 1937 Walt Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, based on a German fairy tale, inspired this quilt pattern. The movie has been re-released many times. In 1972 Lehman Brothers published a pattern, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” that is very similar to this quilt. It was advertised as “a perfect quilt for your favorite child. White bearded dwarves [sic] dressed in bright suits, and colorful trees and flowers surround Snow White and the cottage.”
From the early 20th century, kit quilts have been available in the market to save time and/or provide the quilter with assistance in design or color choices. This quilt was made from a kit as evidenced by stamped lines that are still visible along some edges.
The quilt is appliquéd with motifs that include a stylized cottage, trees, and dwarfs, and, of course, Snow White. All of the dwarfs have coral-colored caps and boots, blue tights, yellow shirts, green vests, and white beards. Details are embroidered with satin, outline, daisy, and French knot stitches. The figures are outlined in quilting stitches, 4 stitches per inch. The 7 ½-inch border is quilted with flowers and diagonal lines. The “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” pattern, based on a well-known children’s story and animated movie, made a special quilt to brighten a child’s room.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975-1995
ID Number
1996.0013.01
accession number
1996.0013
catalog number
1996.0013.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1990
date made
1989-1992
maker
My Yia Vang
My Yia Vang
ID Number
1997.0010.2
catalog number
1997.0010.2
accession number
1997.0010
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1990
date made
1989-1992
maker
My Yia Vang
ID Number
1997.0010.1
Pieced and appliqued hanging labeled “Art Gecko” by Joyce Marquess Carey. The art quilt wall hanging consists of a pieced background of 2” square pieces (pink, white & black - plain and prints) with stuffed work and applique.
Description (Brief)
Pieced and appliqued hanging labeled “Art Gecko” by Joyce Marquess Carey. The art quilt wall hanging consists of a pieced background of 2” square pieces (pink, white & black - plain and prints) with stuffed work and applique. The hanging has a batting interlining and a lining but is not quilted. Design is predominantly black, white, pink, and silver with three-dimensional stuffed, beaded and embroidered geckos and architectural motifs (Chrysler Building, NYC; Besakih Temple, Bali; Pramadani, Java). Four 4” by 6” photos printed on fabric are along one side, anchored, as in a photo album, by black fabric photo corners. The photos are from a trip the artist took to Southeast Asia. There is a 3 1/2" - 4" black print border on two sides. The lining is a print cotton overlaid with a complex Velcro and grommet hanging system covering the complete back.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1990 - 1992
maker
Carey, Joyce Marquess
ID Number
2017.0320.02
accession number
2017.0320
catalog number
2017.0320.02

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