1795 M. Campbell's Reverse Applique Quilt
- Description
- Embroidered in dark brown silk cross-stitches and eye-stitches along the top right edge of the center of this quilt is "M. Campbell 1795." This quilt is a rare dated and signed example of the use of reverse appliqué which is found in the center panel and the eight border motifs. In reverse appliqué, the positions of the pattern and background fabrics are reversed from those of onlaid appliqué. The silhouette of the pattern is cut out of the background fabric, and openings are filled by applying a contrasting fabric from underneath. It was not often used in American quilts. The remainder of the quilt top is of geometric pieced work.
- Block printed cotton fabrics of floral prints, stripes, and small geometrics, mostly on brown or tan grounds, were used for the appliqué and piecework. The lining is linen and the filling cotton. All appliquéd motifs are outline quilted along both the inside and outside edges. The white backgrounds, center border, and printed fabric blocks in the outer border are quilted in a diagonal grid and chevron patterns, seven stitches to the inch. M. Campbell's skillfully worked quilt is a notable example of the reverse appliqué technique.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- quilt
- Object Type
- quilts
- Date made
- 1795
- quilter
- unknown
- Physical Description
- fabric, cotton, linen (overall material)
- thread, linen, silk (overall material)
- filling, cotton (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 99 in x 88 in; 251 cm x 223 cm
- place made
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1981.0007.01
- catalog number
- 1981.0007.01
- accession number
- 1981.0007
- subject
- Textiles
- Chronology: before 1820
- Sewing and Knitting
- Quilting
- Domestic Furnishings
- Quilts
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Textiles
- Quilts
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- Additional Media
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