Hole-in-the-Barn-Door Quilt

Datec. 1907

DimensionsOverall: 182 x 190 cm

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Doris Strawhorn, 1977.

Object number1977.085.003

Label TextFannie Cousins, the donor’s great aunt, made this hole in the barn door quilt around 1907. The pattern is much older, with some historians suggesting that it originated as early as 1800. Regarded as simple among quilt makers, with its combination of triangles, rectangles, and squares, the pattern often was among the first young girls attempted as they learned to piece quilts. As with other old patterns, this one has many different names, including Churn Dash, Hens and Chickens, Quail’s Nest, and Puss in the Corner. Why does this quilt include mismatched blocks? Were the triangles shown in this detail once blue but faded with washing and time? Did Cousins make a mistake? Or did she run out of blue fabric and use what she had to hand? Historians note perfection and symmetry were not always goals for past quilt makers.

NameQuilt