Pine Tree Quilt by Susan McCord, circa 1900

Artifact Overview

Susan McCord pieced this Pine Tree pattern quilt top, but never finished it. Her descendants later had it quilted so that this bedcovering could be used. It is one of McCord's later quilts, and includes many turn-of-the-twentieth century fabric scraps. A close look reveals some fabrics seen in other McCord quilts. Purple calico sashing sets off the scrappy pine trees nicely.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Quilt

Date Made

circa 1900

Creators

McCord, Susan Noakes, 1829-1909

Place of Creation

United States, Indiana, Hancock county, McCordsville

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2004.17.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mildred McKesson in Memory of Charles Arthur McKesson and Ruth Eleanor Hayter.

Material

Cotton (Textile)
Calico
Muslin
Batting

Technique

Piecing
Quilting
Hand sewing
Machine sewing (Technique)

Color

Multicolored
Purple
Lavender (Color)
White (Color)
Green

Dimensions

Height: 81.5 in
Width: 72 in

Specifications

Pattern: Pine Tree

Number of Pieces (top): 28 pieced blocks; separated by diagonal sashing; edges finished with 15 half triangle blocks and 2 quarter triangle blocks

Fabric (top): Cotton solids, calicos, floral, dotted, geometric, checked, plaid, striped, and novelty prints

Piecing Technique: Hand pieced

Number of Pieces (back): 2

Fabric (back): Solid cotton

Stitches per Inch: 6-7

Quilting Pattern: Single parallel lines through the leaves, outline quilting of tree trunks, pumpkin seed patterns in background, and cables in sashing

Quilting Technique: Hand quilted

Binding: Applied binding

Batting: Medium loft polyester batting

Note(s): The Pine Tree pattern top was pieced by Susan McCord but never finished. The McCord family later had the top quilted so it could be used.