Minneapolis Institute of Art

Baltimore signature album quilt top

United States (Maryland)LinkedCulture matchlcp-32df0e1e0ef3

Date

1844–45

Medium

Cotton, pieced, appliquéd, embroidered, and inscribed

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Object ID

2251

Thirty-six women made this quilt top, each contributing a unique square, which she signed. Signature album quilts were a collective form of remembrance—a record of the names, kind sentiments, and sewing skills of a group of friends. Such quilts became popular in the 1840s, a period of national expansion when many people, moving westward, desired a material reminder of the communities they left behind. Album quilts were especially popular in Baltimore, where the Methodist Church had a strong presence. Methodist ministers had to move to a different congregation every year, and on their arrival or departure they often received an album quilt from the congregation. This quilt top was not completed with a backing, so it likely was never presented to the intended recipient. United States, Americas

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