Quilt

Quilt, Fisher Bible Class, 1928 Exhibition label from “Milton Made” (2008) reads: Redwork subscription quilt Made by members of the Fisher Bible Class, 1928 Top: cotton, cotton thread Backing: cotton A strong and longstanding tradition is the use of subscription quilts to raise money for a cause. Individuals pay a small amount of money for the privilege of having their name inscribed on a square. This quilt, worked by the members of the Fisher Bible Class, contains over 750 subscribers, with several anonymous donors simply listed as “A Friend”. In the Fisher Bible Class minutes, Mrs. Amanda Fisher wrote, “in 1928 we worked so hard on the autographed quilt with the strawberry center and made $95. The quilt was purchased by Milton Graves and now is the proud possession of Mrs. Elsie Graves.” Redwork is a style of art needlework that consists of embroidering a design on a white background. By the late 19th century, imported “Turkey Red” thread created from the root of the Madder plant was widely available in the United States and offered a colorfast alternative that would not bleed onto the white fabric or fade over time. During the early 20th century “Arts & Crafts” movement, needlework enjoyed renewed popularity and was celebrated for its handcraftsmanship. Additionally, proponents of the movement held that a beautiful home reflected the morality and productivity of its inhabitants. Gift of Sue Raley, daughter of Milton and Elsie Graves See attached file for listing of all names.