The Bowers Museum in
Santa Ana, CA, currently has an exhibit called: “The American Quilt: Cloth and
Commerce” (May23 –August 30, 2026). It
outlines the 250 year history of quilting in America showing it’s link to
industry, politics and global trade. Beautiful and educational it is well worth
the visit.
This exhibit shows
how commerce, science, technology, and politics influenced how American quilts
were made.
1850-1890s, Silk was
imported from China, Japan and Europe. Luxury
material became popular for making crazy quilts.
Other quilts of 1850-1890’s:
This is my favorite pattern:
All types of cloths were
used, such as handkerchiefs, tobacco silks, feed & flour sacks, and old
clothing.
These chromolithographic
cards were used promote thread brands:
The 1st
American sewing machine was invented by Walter Hunt in 1832. Isaac Singer improved the design in 1851 and
introduced the 1st US electric models in 1889. The Bowers did not have any Singers on
display. 1909 fabric label:
Thanks to rural mail delivery,
the turn of the 20th century, mail order quilt patterns became
popular.
1950 to 1980s gave
rise to synthetic Fabrics.
A few more images:
There are over 11 Million active Quilt makers in the United States. If you've been to a quilt show you more likely have see most of these historic patters still in use.
Here’s a modern quilt
filled with contemporary images.
Looks like a 'Crazy Quilt' to me.
