Tumbling Blocks Quilt
1884-1894
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Tumbling Blocks Quilt
1884-1894
Physical Qualities
Cotton, Vertical orientation: 83 × 72 in. (210.8 × 182.9 cm.);Horizontal orientation: 72 × 83 in. (182.9 × 210.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Greif, Jr., Lutherville, Maryland
Object Number
2016.103
A medium sized, rectangular quilt in "Tumbling Blocks" pattern composed of 2-1/2" diamond shaped fabric swatches sewn together so as to give the visual illusion of three-dimensional cubes stacked row upon row. This effect is created by using careful placement of solid vs. printed, and light vs. medium vs. dark fabrics. The quilt top is composed of brown, tan, red, chrome orange, and indigo solid fabrics and a variety of printed cottons on both dark and light grounds.
The quilt has a medium thick layer of cotton batting and the backing or lining consists of several lengths of a black "mourning" print. Quilting includes "by the piece" (outline), pumpkin seed, and a double row of zig-zag motifs used at the border.
The quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted. The edges are finished with an applied binding of pink and white print 3/8" wide rounded at the corners.
See Notes.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2016; Nanette and Irvin Greif, Jr.
Brackman, Barbara, An Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, Lawrence, Kansas: Prarie Flower Publishing, rev. ed. 1984, vol. 1, pp. 14-15, #142B.
Khin, Yvonne M. , The Collector's Dictionary of Quilt Names and Patterns, New York: Portland House, 1988, p. 272.
Bishop, Robert and Elizabeth Safanda, A Gallery of Amish Quilts: Design Diversity from a Plain People, New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1976, pp.4-5.
Pottinger, David, Quilts from the Indiana Amish, A Regional Collection, New York: E.P. Dutton, Inc. and the Museum of American Folk Art, 1983, p.84, fig. 130; p. 85, fig. 131.
Orlofsky, Myron and Patsy, Quilts in America, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1974,
p. 169.
Finley, John, Kentucky Quilts 1800-1900, Louisville, Kentucky: The Kentucky Quilt Project, Inc., 1982, pp. 26-27.
Safford, Carlton L. and Robert Bishop, America's Quilts and Coverlets, N.Y.: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1972, pp. 132-133, fig. 193.
Khin, Yvonne M. , The Collector's Dictionary of Quilt Names and Patterns, New York: Portland House, 1988, p. 272.
Bishop, Robert and Elizabeth Safanda, A Gallery of Amish Quilts: Design Diversity from a Plain People, New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1976, pp.4-5.
Pottinger, David, Quilts from the Indiana Amish, A Regional Collection, New York: E.P. Dutton, Inc. and the Museum of American Folk Art, 1983, p.84, fig. 130; p. 85, fig. 131.
Orlofsky, Myron and Patsy, Quilts in America, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1974,
p. 169.
Finley, John, Kentucky Quilts 1800-1900, Louisville, Kentucky: The Kentucky Quilt Project, Inc., 1982, pp. 26-27.
Safford, Carlton L. and Robert Bishop, America's Quilts and Coverlets, N.Y.: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1972, pp. 132-133, fig. 193.
