Page 23 - JOA August 2020

Oak Reel block dated 1846, Enoch and Mary Worrall quilt,
dated 1850. (Starley Quilt Collection)

formal quilts made of different blocks, often referred to as
sampler “album quilts.” Although both featured the same
tradition of signed remembrances, they were quite
different in their makeup and design. Sampler album
quilts were made up of several unique intricately pieced or
appliquéd blocks. A friendship quilt was usually made of
several blocks from the same pattern and often made from
scraps of available material. Although the terminology is an
identifier, both types of autograph quilts share the intended
purpose of associating one’s name and sentiments to a
remembrance gift. 1956 Friendship Quilt
This personalized form of expressing love, appreciation, made for Marilyn Cox
and friendship, and the coming together of women in this from her kin; 72” x 60”;
socially approved way, made signed quilts a popular gift in hand quilted
the late-19th and early 20th century for a range of purposes:

• Bridal quilts given as a gift to brides upon marriage
from family members.
• Freedom quilts given to a young man on his 21st
• Album quilts given to a family member or friend moving away from the area as
birthday. His family and friends might have celebrated a remembrance of their loved ones back home.
with him by making him a quilt as he left home to begin • Fundraising quilts were made to raise money for an organization or charity
his life as an independent man. endeavor, most often a church. For a monetary contribution, your signature or name
•Presentation quilts given to honor a member of the
community. These Presentation quilts were made by the would be applied to the quilt, along with the names of other contributors. These quilts
are recognizable by the dozens or even hundreds of signatures on the quilt. Often the
quilt recipients’ friends, or social acquaintances, and were signatures are the only design elements on the quilts.
presented to a prominent or popular figure. A recipient
might be a church pastor or his wife, a favorite school
teacher, a doctor, or a respected social figure.

Rolling Stone Friendship block, shows hands with word Friendship, Victorian Friendship Quilt Block
c. 1850, Pennsylvania. (Starley Quilt Collection)

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