Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique

Back by popular demand, Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique presents the Bowers' most popular American quilts. To satisfy the curious and creative visitor, emphasis is placed on the quilts' construction techniques.

Guest curated by Julia D. Zgliniec, Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique presents the patterns, stitches, fabrics and other construction techniques of the Bowers’ most popular quilts, and many that have never before been exhibited. To satisfy our curious and creative visitors, the top and bottom sides of several quilts will be visible. The exhibition features a variety of 19th and early 20th century patterns, a “Whole Cloth” or “Linsey-Woolsey” quilt dating to 1776, a 1930s “Utility” quilt made of men’s suiting samples, and an unfinished variation of a “Crazy” quilt from c. 1850. Made using paper templates of old receipts, bills, letters and other documents, this particular quilt is every bit as interesting as a historical item as it is a textile.