Sunbonnet Girl Quilt (Colonial Ladies)

Date1940-1950

DimensionsOverall: 164 × 204 cm (64 9/16 × 80 5/16 in.)

Credit LineGift of Muriel Ginsberg, London, Ontario, 1979

Object number1979.040.020

Label TextMuriel Ginsburg is believed to have made this quilt in the 1940s or 1950s from a pattern created as part of the early 20th century fascination with American colonial history. Mass circulation American magazines, also serving the Canadian market, fed this interest. Their romanticized depictions of the era were not historically accurate, however. The ladies in this cotton pieced and appliqué quilt, for example, wear post-Civil War rather than late 18th century gowns. Moreover, the vibrant colours and bold prints bear no resemblance to the textiles of the colonial period. As this detail illustrates, Ginsburg appliquéd the dresses onto each quilt block by hand. She used a sewing machine to appliqué the contrasting border onto the dresses. The diamond pattern quilting was also done by hand.

NameQuilt

CopyrightPhoto Credit: Alex Walker