Did Your Grandmother Sign This Quilt?

Friendship or signature quilts emerged in the 1840s, featuring verses, inscriptions and signatures written in indelible ink, later replaced by colorful embroidery. These quilts were often gifts of remembrance for those moving away or presented to family members, teachers or pastors to mark special occasions like marriages or anniversaries.

They also served as fundraisers with donors contributing to have their names included. Making these quilts was a community effort — cutting fabric, collecting signatures, embroidering, assembling blocks and finishing the quilt. The quilts in this exhibit were lovingly sewn by Boone Countians between 1846 and 1950.