Mary Hill's Album Quilt

Mary Hill's Album Quilt, AKA the Maltaville Album Quilt was made in 1847 by the women members of the Presbyterian Church in Maltaville, NY, for the pastor's wife. It consists of 60 blocks and a center medallion, and measures 92" x 91". As is typical of album quilts, it contains inked names, dates and inscriptions, as well as being embellished with embroidery. The Smithsonian Institution acquired the quilt in 1931.

The center block is inscribed "presented to Mary B. Hill as an expression of esteem by the Ladies of Maltaville."

You can see more pictures on the NMAH website.

One of the blocks, made by Almira Olmstead, contains the following poem:

The Tulip and the Butterfly

Appear in gayer coats than I

Let me be dressed fine as I will

Flies, worms, and flowers, exceed me still.

This was taken from the poem "Against Pride in Clothes," by Isaac Watts. Watts is considered one England's greatest hymn writers, and excerpts of his work are found on several quilts of this period. His most famous hymn is "Joy to the World."

Legal stuff :)
All pictures used with permission for non-commercial use only.

Made by Ladies of the Presbyterian Church

Gift of Mrs. Isaac Carrington Morton

Object ID: TE*TO06717

Smithsonian Natural Museum of American History

Kenneth E. Behring Center

Margaret of Quilt Station is drafting these blocks, and she has generously offered to share them with us for a nominal fee. She is hoping to have mid-February as a starting date, and will be donating a portion of the purchase price to the Smithsonian for quilt restoration and conservation. You can read all about her quilt-along on her blog. She has also started a blog just for those making the quilt, here. She is using the back-basting method for some of the blocks. I haven't tried this, since I'm a die-hard needle-turner, but I may finally give it a go for this quilt.

Just when I get caught up with Barbara Brackman's BOW, she posts another block! I will post my blocks after I get #4 done. I'm not quite as fast with the piecing as I am with the applique these days. Check out my friend Sheila's blog. She is doing these in 2" finished blocks!

While a lot of you have been talking about de-stashing, I've been doing some re-stashing! I got some Jo Morton at Bonnie Blue's going-out-of-fabric sale. Everything is $5/yd., but you'll have to hurry. Last day to order is Jan. 25th.

And some Ann Robinson and Sara Johnson.

If anyone knows of a store that has any of this Dargate Lavender and Mint left, please let me know. It's one of my all time favorite fabrics, and I haven't had any luck finding more.

Am I the only one concerned about Bonnie Blue and Old Trinity Schoolhouse no longer selling fabric? These were two of my favorite sites for repros. Trinity had tons of the older lines. On the other hand, Z & S is expanding to sell other things.

Well, back to those Civil War blocks.