Friendship Quilt Remains a Mystery

 

While browsing in an antiques shop in Rumney, New Hampshire, I spotted a Friendship quilt draped over the back of an old rocking chair. The quilt was a serendipitous find, even though it is less than one hundred years old and therefore, not a true antique. Its light orange sashings were a red flag as to a date of origin--some time in the 1980s.

After examining the quilt more closely, I did discover one block that indicates the quilt was made in 1989 as a birthday gift. With their embroidered messages and good wishes, the Friendship blocks are very unique. The quilt was described by dealer David Evans as "a piece of folk art in its truest sense."

This quilt's overall measurements are 56" x 66 1/2" and it seems to have been a labor of  love. Each one-of-a-kind blocks tells its own story. Many techniques, fibers and embellishments were used, including painting, applique and embroidery. The recipient seems to have had some international  connections!

Judging from the dirty condition of the quilt when it was purchased, one could perhaps conclude that the recipient is no longer living. I brought the quilt to the University of Rhode Island laboratory where students practice conservation measures including washing quilts. Some of the embellishments had to be removed before the quilt could be wet-washed. A lot of dog hair and sand was removed. To learn more about the URI's textile cleaning services, call (401) 874-2275. I thought that this quilt was worth preserving. Maybe someday I will find out more about this mystery quilt. I wrote about the quilt in detail in an article for The Quilter magazine, August/September 2011 issue.

Mystery Quilt Gave Hint

Mystery Quilt Gave Hint

Patricia Cummings

Friendship Quilt made in 1989 and purchased in New Hampshire. If the print fabric
looks out of place, it is because it is a replacement quilt block

The clues are there, if only one notices them. The clue I mention here is that present on a quilt in which all the blocks were embroidered except for one...which was a piece of printed cloth. It was only after the article I wrote about the quilt was published in a magazine that I learned the truth. The dealer's wife, thinking that the quilt would not sell, took off the block that was present and replaced it. I am grateful for their honest approach if only after the purchase.

The quilt block is eerily similar to a painting titled
 "American Gothic," a story unto itself

Though the removed block was oil cloth and kind of grundgy, we love it!

The quilt was cleaned at the conservation lab at the University of Rhode Island under the apt guidance of Margaret Ordoñez, co-chair of the department of textiles and fashion design. The article I wrote did not uncover the makers of this quilt nor whom it was made to honor.

As in life, never take anything for granted. Everything has its own story to tell and it is amazing what facts can be uncovered with a little bit of sleuth work.Yet, no matter what, there are some secrets that neither other people or the grave are willing to divulge.