This quilt is titled Maker Unknown because 81% (141 out of 175) of the 19th century quilts used for research in this project were listed in the IQSCM catalog as “Maker Unknown”. The quilt is dedicated to the slave women who labored as quilters, creating art for everyday use, and to all post-Emancipation quilters and quilt enthusiasts who keep their legacy alive.
DETAILS
- The quilt was constructed during April & May 2012 in New York City (Brooklyn & Queens).
- The quilt blocks were pieced by Deimosa Webber-Bey (Log Cabin, Tulip Applique, Orange Peel, Reel, Railroad Crossing, Tree of Life, Sunflower, Birds in the Air, Bird’s Nest, Ocean Wave, Drunkard’s Path, Leaf) and her grandmother, Marian Webber (Feathered Star, Carolina Lily, Sawtooth Star, Broken Dishes, Cactus, Whirligig).
- The Log Cabin block was madeby printing the data and images aggregated during the project, as well as the QR and source code for <runawayquiltproject.org>, on to fabric (treated with Bubble Jet Set).
- Quilting around the data strips on the Log Cabin block was done by hand in variegated thread (by Tiana Grimes, Erica Schwartz, and Deimosa Webber-Bey) at a quilting party, in keeping with 19c construction techniques; the hanging loops represent enslaved 19c quilters sitting around a quilt, and they are made from African (15/16) and Native American (1/16) fabric.
- The information on the Log Cabin block faces outward from the center in all directions so that it is best engaged when placed on a table, with observers seated around it making their own meaning of the information presented.
PROCESS VIDEO
SUGGESTED CITATION:
Webber-Bey, Deimosa. “Maker Unknown.” Runaway Quilt Project: Quilting During the Era of Slavery. Pratt Institute, 05 08 2012. Web. 8 May. 2012. <www.runawayquiltproject.org>.
METADATA:
Primary pattern LOG CABIN
Title “MAKER UNKNOWN”
Quiltmaker DEIMOSA I. WEBBER-BEY
Origin country UNITED STATES
Origin state/region NEW YORK
Date 2012
Style type SAMPLER
Predominant technique PIECING
Exhibitions PRATT 2012 SILS SHOWCASE 5/8/12
Brackman #(s) 2573
Dimensions 48″X48″
Primary techniques PIECEWORK, APPLIQUE, HAND QUILTING, MACHINE QUILTING
Primary fiber COTTON
Primary fabric COTTON
Quilt stitches/inch EIGHT
Binding SOURCE CODE
Inscription type SUGGESTED CITATION
Other TWO-SIDED, CONTRIBUTORS: MARIAN WEBBER, TIANA GRIMES, ERICA SCHWARTZ