National Museum of American History
American Quilt Legacy Case: Colonial Quilting Bee Quilt
May 19, 2005 – September 4, 2006
The American Quilt Legacy case features pieces from the museum's collection on a rotating basis.
Colonial Quilting Bee Quilt: Mary Gasperik of Chicago, Illinois, made this cotton applique quilt in the 1930s. It depicts 24 needlewomen in colonial dress making quilts, an American flag, and a Hungarian flag. Mary was 16 years old and an accomplished needlewoman when she immigrated to America from Hungary in 1906. She became interested in quiltmaking after age 40, and by the end of her life had made approximately 90 quilts.
