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novelty quilts 431

German Orchestra Fundraising Quilt. Dated 1879. eBay purchase from Highland, Ill. Seller bought from a St.
Louis area family that said it came from Cincinnati, but the seller evidently decided on Highland, 35 miles
east of St. Louis, based on information within the blocks. 71”x81½” Fabric: Cotton. Batting: Very light or
none. Backing: Same cotton as top. Edge: Front is turned to the back 1¼” and caught by hand. Edge is ma-
chine embroidered. Piecing: By machine with machine embroidery over edges of blocks. Quilting: Blocks
are divided by rows of machine stitching into stars, diamonds, rays, or blocks and names of members of an
orchestra and evidently their family members are contained within the divisions created by the stitching.
Further, a block lists sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. Another block recognizes the women’s society or
foundation or club that likely made the quilt. Names are embroidered. Embroidery by machine, largely in
chain stitch, some running stitch, some narrow satin stitch. Condition: Excellent. Comment: The artistry of
placing and embroidering names in the blocks is excellent. My internet research indicated that embroidery
machines predated Elias Howe’s sewing machines and were in use in Europe by the 1850s.

Figure 381: German Orchestra Fundrais-
ing Quilt