Signature quilt explained

A signature quilt is a quilt that has multiple names signed, stamped, or embroidered on it.^[1] While examples exist prior to 1800, the tradition was popularized in the 19th century often as a means of fundraising or given as keepsakes to people moving west.^[2] They were also used to commemorate and document historical and communal events, or to indicate affiliations with organizations or groups.^[3] They would rarely include signatures of famous people with one unusual specimen created by Adeline Harris Sears containing 350 signatures including those of eight U.S. Presidents.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Signature quilts are considered useful as primary source documents for genealogists and other researchers.^{[7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sikarskie . Amanda . MacDowell . Marsha . Alexander . Karen . Hornback . Nancy . The Signature Quilt Project . The Quilt Index . 14 June 2018.
2. Web site: Bryant . Gilda . Clues in the Quilting . 14 June 2018.
3. Web site: Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences . Department of Human Ecology Signature Quilt . University of Alberta . 14 June 2018.
4. Web site: Quilt, Tumbling Blocks with Signatures pattern . The Met: Browse The Collection . Metropolitan Museum of Art . 14 June 2018.
5. Web site: Adeline Harris' masterpiece signature quilt . The History Blog . 8 March 2018 . 14 June 2018.
6. Peck . Amelia . "A Marvel of Woman's Ingenious and Intellectual Industry":The Adeline HarrisSearsAutograph Quilt . Metropolitan Museum Journal . 1998 . 33 . 263–290 . 10.2307/1513018 . 1513018 . 193113619 . 14 June 2018.
7. Web site: "Signature Quilts and Genealogy" . Signature Quilt Pilot Project Wiki . 14 June 2018.
8. Web site: Walsh . Roxy . The Signature Quilt. [Art Object] ]. Research Online . University of London . 14 June 2018.