Silk Quilts

The making of silk quilts throughout the 19th century ended with a craze for elaborately embellished slumber throws called “crazy quilts,” not for their popularity but for their irregularly shaped pieces.

Pieced quilt. Owned by Mary Hise Norton, Russellville, Ky. Early 19th century.

Pieced table cover. Laura Clark, Earville, Ill. about 1860.

Pieced slumber throw. Martha Lord, Mass. About 1860.

Crazy patchwork slumber throw. Initials J K. About 1885.

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