Flying Geese
Maker unknown
Probably New England or Pennsylvania
ca 1840-1860
86" x 88"
Cotton with cotton filling
6521.1
Photo by Fumio Ichikawa, all rights reserved Michigan State University Museum

This quilt is an excellent example of the vertical style. Vertical strips, made of blocks in the "Flying Geese" pattern seperated by wide sashes, were popular in the first half of the nineteenth century. The purple sashing is an exceptional example in its unfaded condition. The fabrics overdyed in a deep yellow-green color with small yellow and black figures were also popular during this period. Although double pinks were and still are favored by quilters, the scale, density, and vermiculate background in the design corroborate the early date. The border is made from striped wool dress fabric that also has a vertical orientation. This fabric inspired a reproduction produced by RJR Fashion Fabrics and featured in their "Great Lakes, Great Quilts" line.

By Beth Donaldson, excerpted from American Quilts from Michigan State University Museum