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Appliqué and Reverse Appliqué

Flower Basket Quilt

1840s

Made by Anna Catharine Hummel Markey Garnhart (1773-1860)

97.5 in. W x 103.5 in. L
10 stitches per inch

Loan courtesy of David and Linda Davidson

Location

Frederick, Maryland

Design

Reverse appliqué vines surrounding a center medallion are a regional specialty in Maryland, but Garnhart’s extensive use of the technique, and her style of leafy vines, are her signature. She also uses the sawtooth border common to this region.

Maker

Two grandchildren’s quilts ended up in the same branch of the family, so it’s unclear whether this was made for Rebecca Markey or her sister Susan, both children of David Markey.

Material

Block-printed cotton chintzes, roller-printed and solid cottons; cotton embroidery thread; cotton filling and backing

Catharine assembled her floral bouquets by combining elements from several block-printed chintzes. Over twenty chintzes appear throughout Garnhart’s quilts, and over fifty small prints.