Fan Variation Quilt by Susan McCord, circa 1900

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Artifact Overview

This quilt is a variation of a "crazy" quilt design called fans. Most quilters placed a fan in just one corner of a block. Susan McCord sewed fans of varying sizes in each corner. Then she joined the blocks together to form "wheels" that dazzle with a sense of motion and energy -- a stunning example of this Indiana farmwife's extraordinary design sense.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Crazy quilt

Date Made

circa 1900

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

73.120.7

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cotton (Textile)
Wool (Textile)
Silk (Textile)

Technique

Applique (Technique)
Piecing
Embroidering
Hand sewing

Color

Multicolored
Brown
Red
Gold (Color)
Blue

Dimensions

Height: 81 in
Width: 69 in

Specifications

Pattern: Fan Variation
Number of Pieces (top): 42 foundation pieced blocks
Fabric (top): Wool, silk, linen or cotton solids, florals, stripes, plaids and prints
Piecing Technique: Hand pieced
Number of Pieces (back): Not noted
Fabric (back): Printed and solid cottons
Stitches per Inch: Not quilted
Quilting Pattern: Not quilted or tied
Quilting Technique: Not quilted
Binding: Edges turned under and finished with blanket stitch
Batting: No batting
Note(s): The edges of each small crazy quilt piece, each fan piece, and each block are embroidered in a herringbone pattern