Textiles - Overview
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.
"Textiles - Overview" showing 24 items.
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1840 - 1860 Catherine Byer's Pieced and Appliqued Quilt
- Description
- Inked leaves and a bird frame the inscription: “Eby – Byers Catherine Byers” and the place, “Chambersburg.” Below Chambersburg is noted "1837," but in a different color ink---possibly a later addition? Did Catherine make this quilt?
- Catherine Byers, born in 1805, was the daughter of Frederick Byers and Anna Eby of Pa. Catherine married James Crawford (1799-1872). They raised their children and lived on the family homestead in Franklin County, Pa. Catherine died in 1892. Both came from families who were early settlers of Pennsylvania, some of whom had fought in the Revolutionary War.
- Thirty-six pieced blocks, each with a center square of dark blue printed cotton and three appliquéd leaves at each corner create a unique pattern. The central focus is the 9 ¾-inch-block with the inked drawing and inscription. The quilt is framed by a 6-inch border and is quilted at 10 stitches per inch. As no information was included with the quilt, it is difficult to know who made the quilt and the significance of the date.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1840-1860
- maker
- Byers, Catherine
- ID Number
- 1980.0253.01
- catalog number
- 1980.0253.01
- accession number
- 1980.0253
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
1900 - 1915 Amish "Garden of Eden" Quilt
- Description
- Quilted in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania in the early twentieth century, this is an example of the “Garden of Eden” or “Economy Block” quilt pattern. A center of twenty pieced and plain 20-inch square blocks is framed by a “Chain Square” and two plain borders. Plain-colored cotton and wool fabrics and black quilting thread contribute to its quiet elegance.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1900-1915
- quilter
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1985.0029.01
- catalog number
- 1985.0029.01
- accession number
- 1985.0029
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
1900 - 1925 Amish "Bars" Quilt
- Description
- Quilted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the early part of the twentieth century, this seemingly simple pattern of bars set in a contrasting color typifies Amish quilting. The center is composed of eleven burgundy and blue strips of wool-and-cotton fabric, which vary in width from 6 inches to 7-inches, set in a frame of blue. The corners of the border are mitered. The blue bars and borders are quilted in a cable pattern, and the burgundy bars in a chevron pattern. The skillful quilting is done with rose and blue cotton thread. It is a classic rendering of a traditional Amish pattern.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1900-1925
- quilter
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1985.0029.04
- catalog number
- 1985.0029.04
- accession number
- 1985.0029
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
1900 - 1925 Amish "Hanging Diamond" Quilt
- Description
- Quilted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the early twentieth century, this is a beautiful example of Amish quilting utilizing a traditional pattern. The dark red 25½-inch center diamond with a 3¾-inch purple border is set diagonally into a 46¼-inch square also with a 3¾-inch border. Framed by an outer 11¾-inch border, the quilt is finished with a wide contrasting binding of dark blue. The fabrics are mainly wool, wool-and-cotton, and some rayon. An 8-pointed star, feathered circles, vines, and scallops are motifs quilted with black cotton to complete this quilt.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1900-1925
- quilter
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1985.0029.05
- catalog number
- 1985.0029.05
- accession number
- 1985.0029
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
1900 - 1925 Amish "Crazy-patch Block" Quilt
- Description
- The maker of this Amish quilt, probably from Pennsylvania, effectively utilizes sixteen 8½-inch crazy-patched and embroidered blocks set diagonally to create this dramatic example. The crazy-patched blocks are contrasted with blue and framed within a 4½-inch light rose border with lavender corner squares and a 10-inch darker rose border. Pieces in the crazy-patch blocks are outlined with polychrome silk embroidery in herringbone, feather, buttonhole, thorn, cross, and double-cross stitches. The fabrics are wool and wool-and-cotton. The initials “AK” are embroidered on a corner of the lining. The controlled use of the crazy-patch aesthetic in this quilt gives it an ordered, focused appearance.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- First quarter 20th century
- date made
- 1900-1925
- quilter
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1985.0029.06
- catalog number
- 1985.0029.06
- accession number
- 1985.0029
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Hausman Coverlet
- Description
- Benjamin Hausman, (1795—1885) of Allentown, Pennsylvania, wove this cotton and wool Jacquard double-woven coverlet for Jane Paul in 1841. His name and hers appear in the lower corners along with the date. The coverlet is Jacquard double-woven with floral medallions and stars, as the overall pattern, and with a border of trees and flowers. It has no center seam. Several members of the Hausman family were coverlet weavers in Pennsylvania in the 19th century. Benjamin worked in Allentown, Lehigh County, from 1836 to 1845, and in York, York County, from 1847 to 1848. He appears to have moved to Philadelphia in 1852, but is listed as a coverlet weaver in the 1850 census of York, York County, Pennsylvania.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1841
- owner of coverlet in 19th century
- Paul, Jane
- maker
- Hausman, Benjamin
- ID Number
- TE*E.393749
- accession number
- 211601
- catalog number
- E.393749
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
1789 Overshot Coverlet
- Description
- The date 1789 and two letters (no longer readable) are embroidered into this double-woven coverlet in cross-stitch. The pattern features a variation of the "Pine Tree" motif in the border, and repetitive squares and diamonds in the center. Three of the four edges have an applied fringe. The coverlet is believed to have been made by a member of the Brown family of the village of Emilie, Pennsylvania, and received by the donor from his mother's father, Henry C. Brown (1848—-1921). He obtained it from his father, John B. Brown, of Emilie, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The maker of the coverlet is unknown.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1785-1800
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T007878
- catalog number
- T07878.000
- accession number
- 142620
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Pine Tree and Irish Chain Double-woven Coverlet
- Description
- This double-woven wool coverlet has borders on three sides. The lower edge has a double border, while the two sides, have triple borders. In both cases the borders feature a variation of the "Pine Tree" motif. The lower edge has a cut self fringe, while the sides have an uncut self fringe. The center of the coverlet features a pattern similar to the "Irish Chain" pattern found in quilting. It is believed this coverlet was made in Pennsylvania in the mid-1840s. Coverlets such as this were highly valued possessions. They would have been mentioned in household inventories, and acquired for a young woman's dowry or hope chest.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1846
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T010097
- catalog number
- T10097.000
- accession number
- 060464
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Kaufman Jacquard Coverlet
- Description
- This coverlet was woven in 1841 by John Kaufman (Coffman). It belonged to Elizabeth Fretz, great-aunt of the donor. It features stars, eagles, and trees in its border. The center design consists of flowers and sunbursts. The coverlet is cotton and wool, and was woven in two sections that were sewn together with linen thread. According to the donor, the wool in the coverlet came from sheep grown on the family farm. The wool was spun into yarn there as well. John Kaufman (1812—1863) was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It appears his weaving business was in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1841
- user
- Fretz, Elizabeth
- maker
- Kaufman, John
- ID Number
- TE*T012923
- catalog number
- T12923.000
- accession number
- 247373
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Devler Coverlet
- Description
- This single-woven, red, white, and blue Jacquard coverlet was woven in Pennsylvania by Joseph Devler, in 1836. It is made of cotton and wool and features a border of flowers and birds, with medallions in the center. The date, 1836, the name, Joseph Devler, and letters "E R" and "A L E" appear in the lower corners. Mr. Devler was born about 1809—1811 in Pennsylvania, and died in 1886. He was in the weaving business in Lancaster, Co., Pennsylvania. On his tombstone, his last name is spelled "Dalver."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1836
- maker
- Devler, Joseph
- ID Number
- TE*T014000
- catalog number
- T14000.000
- accession number
- 269209
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center