ALL: Master Collection List
Nationality
American
Preview
Date of Work
1906
Medium
Silk, thread
Signature
Embroidered in work
Height
19 1/2"
Width
19 1/2"
Collection/Provenance
University Art Collections: Art & Design Study Collection
Status
Stored: 234 S1D
Location
UND Art Collections Repository
Additional Information
Sallie Hultgren spent her life in Kittson County, Minnesota. This sham highlights her sewing talents by featuring intricate patterned stitches at each seam and detailed embroidery throughout the work.
While piecing odd pieces of cloth together as a money-saving practice dates back to Colonial days, the “crazy quilt” craze was particularly inspired by the Japanese pavilion at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, which featured exciting “crazed” ceramics and asymmetrical art. The Expo was a major event in Victorian society, and women of the time were anxious to work the new style into their homes. Although the term “crazy” is used in reference to this style, each piece of fabric was carefully placed and the many different styles of stitchery allowed each woman to show off her sewing skills. The “crazy quilt” fad lasted until about 1910.
Research submitted by Sarah Heitkamp, 2016.
Condition Notes
Displayed in shadowbox, behind plexiglas.
Rights
Images are provided for educational purposes only and may not be reproduced for commercial use. Images may be protected by artist copyright. A credit line is required to be used for any public non-commercial educational purpose. The credit line must include, “Image courtesy of the University of North Dakota.”