QUILT INDEX RECORD

16-12-312

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

DAR Museum

Who documented this quilt?

DAR Museum, Permanent Collection

DAR Number:

92.172

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

Baltimore Album Quilt

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

Penn Family Quilt

How wide is the quilt?

103 inches

How long is the quilt?

103 inches

Shape of edge:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Red; Yellow; Green; White

Overall color scheme:

Multicolor

Quilt's condition:

Good/moderate use

Notes on condition, damage, or repairs:

Several inked signatures illegible, fabric surrounding ink damaged.

Type of inscription:

Message; Initials; Multiple Names

What is inscribed on the quilt?

SAMOHT ROFPRBQ P PENN (stitched in middle of quilt--possibly read backwards as follows: Quilted By Ruth Penn For Thomas P Penn) Marry Ellen Hooker; Elizabeth Jones; Marry Shipley; E. A. Wareum; Ann Chamberlan; Miss June Ewing; Mrs. Rachel Pettit; Miss Amelia Ward; other illegible names. TPP 2 (stitched in back corner of quilt--believed to be the initials of Thomas Pettit Penn)

Method used to make the inscription:

In the quilting; Ink

Location of inscription:

on block

Describe where the inscription was found:

on back

Time period:

1850-1875

When was the quilt finished?

ca. 1850

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Number of quilt blocks:

16

Size of quilt blocks:

21 x 21

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Side by side

Number of different block patterns used in the quilt:

16

What is the shape of the quilt blocks?

Squares

Number of borders:

1

Describe the borders:

Appliqued swag done in red with a cluster of three green leaves at the intersection of each swag 8 inches wide.

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Print; Solid/plain

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique; Reverse Applique

Novelty techniques used to make the quilt top:

Gathering/ruching; Other novelty technique

Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:

Embroidery

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton

What color is the back of the quilt?

White

Number of pieces of fabric in the quilt back:

4

Width of pieces on the back:

31, 31, 31, 10

Describe the back:

Same fabric used throughout

How is the binding made?

Back turned to front

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cotton

How thick is the quilt?

Thin (Less than 3/16?)

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Thread type used for the quilting:

cotton

Color of thread used in the quilting:

white

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:

10

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:

11

Quilting designs used, overall motifs:

Outline

Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:

Feathering; Floral; Other

Describe the quilting designs used:

fleur-de-lis, hearts, hand, birds, leaves, anchor

Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:

4 vases with floral arrangments in center, surrounded by blocks with square or circular wreaths.

Quilted by:

Penn, Ruth

Where the quilt was made, city:

Elkridge Landing

Where the quilt was made, state:

Maryland (MD)

Where the quilt was made, country:

USA

Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:

The quilt is believed to have been made by Ruth Penn for her son Thomas on the occasion of his marriage.

Why was the quilt made?

Wedding

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

Julius Gutman & Co. Department Store, Baltimore, MD, 1927. Eye on Elegance: Early Quilts of Maryland and Virginia DAR Museum Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2014 – Sept. 5. 2015

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public-Other

Quilt owner's name:

DAR Museum

Quilt owner's city:

Washington, DC

Quilt owner's state:

Washington D.C.

Quilt owner's country:

USA

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

DAR Museum