File:Quaker album or friendship quilt - DPLA - 26d4bb1ee71414c7014b185eba4dcd15 (page 6).jpg

A sampler quilt of 81 different pieced and appliquéd blocks which many are signed and dated; separated by brown and pink floral printed chintz blocks. The blocks are set on the diagonal and measure 8 1/2" square. Sampler blocks are pieced mostly red, green, yellow cotton prints; 7 blocks are appliquéd with cut outs of printed chintz. The quilt edge is bound with brown, gold, and green striped wool tape. Backing is four widths of plain white weave cotton. Quilting pattern of sampler blocks is outline of each different design of blocks. Chintz blocks are quilted in straight lines 1/2" to 5/8" apart.; This extraordinary quilt is a Quaker Album or Friendship quilt made in Burlington County, New Jersey in 1843. Many of the signatures have been identified to the Burlington Quaker’s Monthly Meeting records. This quilt also has a number of features associated with New Jersey Quaker quilts. The way the date is written, for example 1st Mo, 1843, indicates Quaker origins. Also, the blocks are set on point or diagonally, and the quilt is bound with a striped wool tape made in Trenton, New Jersey, both of which are features found primarily on New Jersey quilts. Album or Friendship quilts were made to commemorate leaving a community, a marriage, birth, or other significant event. This sampler quilt has 81 different pieced and appliquéd blocks, including many that are signed and dated. Of particular note is the log cabin stamped block, which may be connected with William Henry Harrison’s presidential campaign. Despite his wealthy upbringing, Harrison’s campaign invented humble background such as living in a log cabin and drinking hard cider from a barrel, which are depicted on the quilt block. Many blocks feature free-hand drawing with signature or a fabric stamp with name enclosed. Blocks are set on the diagonal and measure 8 ½” square. The backing is four widths of plain white cotton. Sampler blocks are outline quilted and chintz blocks are quilted in straight lines ½” to 5/8” apart. The quilt size is 108” x 110”