DAR - Eye On Elegance Quilt Exhibit

Tree of Life 1820-1839 Detail

Eye On Elegance Early Quilts of Maryland and Virginia
"In Eye on Elegance, the DAR Museum uses its extraordinarily rich holdings of Maryland and Virginia quilts to examine regional styles prior to 1860."

An extraordinary opportunity to see early quilts, most with known makers.  On display October 3, 2014 through September 5, 2015.  Read more about the DAR Museum HERE.

Young coed from Georgetown enjoying the exhibit

There is an exhibition catalog is a hard cover book that includes quilts not in the exhibit.  At 180 pages, it is a wonderful compliment to the exhibit.  Filled with informative research about the textiles, makers and quilt details.  

You can order a copy HERE through the museum shop.  They also have a full selection of related gift items - cards, magnets etc. if you want to add a few items to your order.     

104.5" x 120" finished quilt size

It is always interesting to see the detail in the quilts.  It was not crowded, so quality time with each quilt was easy!

This block is from the Waring/Arnold family.

17" Blocks, dated 1851

Beautiful embroidery and stuffed work.

Details on pg. 143 of the companion book.

Part of the exhibit gallery

The exhibit is arranged into four sections:  Applique, Albums, Pieced and Migration.

The exhibit space is filled with signage for each quilt.  In between the quilts are complimentary displays including sewing tools and fabric printing techniques.

Album block detail

More block detail.

This Baltimore album block is from circa 1850, unknown maker.

18" Square

It includes stuffed work, inking, and wonderful embroidery in a variety of stitches.

(Better photos in the book)

Hand work detail

The hand quilting was so inspiring to see close up. This example is noted as 15-16 stitches per inch.

Aren't the details important?

Made for Mary Mannakee Nichols (1827-1916)

17" Blocks, dated 1851

Sandy Spring, Montgomery County MD.

The pattern for this quilt is available in the DAR gift shop.

Fish Motif hand quilted

Detail from the Pieced Star Quilt dated 1853

Made by Mary Maccubbin Waters Waters (1817-1864)

Hand quilted at 15-17 stitches per inch

Fabulous block and roller-printed (solid too) cottons.  Blue Fondu sashing print.  

More information on the maker and her family is in the book.

Embroidered appliqued stuffed flower buds

The embroidered details add so much to the designs.

I think these flower buds are exquisite.

Baltimore Album Quilt about 1848

Made for Betsy Hobbs Harper (b. ca. 1810)

16" Blocks

Hand quilted 12-16 stitches per inch

Inked detail

The inking on the quilt is beautiful.  It is unusual for the center of a medallion to have such a large detailed ink design.  This photo is only one small section of the central design.  The book has several pages dedicated to this quilt.

Made by Mary Rooker Norris (1785-1868)

Williamsport, Washington County MD

104" x 102.5"

Hand quilted at 9 stitches per inch

Reverse Applique Detail

Reverse applique from one of the Catherine Markey Garnhart basket quilts.   This one is dated 1849.

Note the slight shadow of green showing through the ground fabric.

The book explains in detail the connection this quilt has to others from the same maker in the exhibit.  There is also a connection to the Eagle quilt shown HERE.

Hand Quilting Detail

Last, but certainly not least, I leave you with another detail of hand quilting from the quilt made for Mary Mannakee.Beautiful applique, embroidery, and hand quilting.

I hope you can make it to the exhibit and if not consider adding the exhibit book to your personal library.

Have a great week,

Dawn