Log Cabin Quilt

Abstract

Classification: Building Furnishings, Bedding, Quilt. Materials and Techniques: Pieced cotton and silk. Style/Period/Movement: Physical Description: Log Cabin quilts are made by sewing strips of fabric around a square of center. The blocks can be set in a variety of ways to form different patterns such as Barn Raising, Sunshine and Shadow, Straight Furrow. Early Log Cabin quilts were sewn on fabric foundations and were often tied because the thickness of the quilts made them difficult to hand quilt. The earliest known log cabin quilt in the United States was made in 1869. However earlier versions first emerged in Great Britain in prior decades. The pattern is seen embroidered on earlier textiles. Even earlier examples of the design can be found in strips of linen wrapped around mummies that were dug up by the British Museum in the 19th century (http://www.womenfolk.com/quilt_pattern_history/logcabin.htm). This quilt consists of 120 small squares made following the log cabin pattern. Printed fabrics form one side of each small block while black silks and satins form the other side. This gives a light and dark pattern to the quilt. The back is black satin. Exhibition History: Rothman Gallery, F&M College, PA, Autumn 1993. Collection or Donor: From the Robert L. Schaeffer Jr. Collection donated to the college in 1987. It is said that Schaeffer (American 1918-2001), an avid collector of American folk art, often crossed paths with the Duponts. The collection largely represents a narrow geographic region consisting of Pennsylvania German objects and was accumulated over four decades.