Nebraska Gone Crazy! Crazy Quilts from Nebraska Museums

This exhibit of crazy quilts features thirty quilts, in two rotations of fifteen each, from thirteen Nebraska museums; ample proof that Nebraskan's were as crazy about crazy quilts as the rest of the country. The quilts in this exhibit range from fine works of art to utilitarian bed covers, but all are beautiful in their own way and we hope you enjoy them.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines a crazy quilt as "A patchwork of pieces of cloth of various shapes, colors and sizes, arranged in no definite pattern" and alternately as "A disorderly mixture; hodgepodge." While the dictionary is correct in that crazy quilts contain pieces of cloth of various shapes, colors and sizes it is certainly wrong in its indication that these quilts were a disorderly mixture. Crazy quilts, for the most part, were elaborately planned and painstakingly decorated pieces of art that conformed to the fashion of the day which embraced opulence and asymmetry. Crazy Quilt Maker Unknown Circa 1885 90" x 60" International Quilt Study Center, Ardis and Robert James Collection: 1997.007.0698 detail about 20" wide The crazy quilt fad was short lived, from the 1880s to 1890s by some scholar's accounts, and it is often cited that one of the main influences of this fad was the 1876 Pennsylvania Centennial Exposition. At the exposition, Americans were introduced to crazed ceramics and asymmetrical art at the Japanese Art Pavillion. They were also exposed to an exhibit of ornamental needlework by the Royal School of Art Needlework from England. Asymmetry and ornamental needlework are two integral elements in crazy quilt construction. Other trends that influenced the crazy quilt fad included the excess of ornamentation in Victorian home decorating, the Aesthetic Movement's emphasis on elevating decorative arts to fine arts, and the Aesthetic enamor with Japanese art and motifs. Also influential in the crazy quilt boom was the increased availability of less-expensive, mass-produced, American-made silk. Crazy Quilt Clarissa Palmer Griswold Made in Sioux County, Nebraska 1886 72" x 56" Nebraska State Historical Society, Source: Governor and Mrs. Dwight Griswold Collection: 5891-5 detail about 26" wide           Clarissa Palmer came from Minnesota to Nebraska in 1885 as a single woman to homestead in Sioux County, near Harrison. She made this quilt the following year. She painted the flowers on the quilt from wildflowers she found on her claim. She wrote, "That first summer I copied these flowers with oil paints on silk and velvet sent me from home. The crazy quilt I decorated and pieced then is now quite a showpiece to be handed down."           Clarissa married Dwight Griswold in 1886. Their son, Dwight Palmer Griswold, was governor of Nebraska from 1941-47, and U.S. Senator from 1953-54.           This style of crazy quilt is sometimes called a "contained crazy," as the crazy work patches are contained with sashing.    Early crazy quilts were show pieces and were commonly draped over furniture in the public rooms of a home. Usually foundation pieced, tied, and without batting, these quilts were commonly made with the most opulent fabrics available and were embellished with elaborate embroidery stitching and fabric painting. Popular motifs were Japanese inspired images of insects, butterflies, fish, flowers, trees and elongated birds. Also used were designs and scenes found in books that were sometimes made into stamping patterns. Later crazy quilts were more utilitarian and actually used as bedcovers. They featured sturdy wools and cottons, had little to no decorative elements, and were filled with batting of some sort. Crazy Quilt Mary Calvin Probably made in Cotesfield, Howard County, Nebraska 1877-1910 73" x 68" Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer: 1974.0122.001 detail about 34" wide   This crazy, or, more properly, Japanese patchwork, so called because the design was originally copied from a bit of pavement in a Japanese picture, is among the crazes of the day. The smallest pieces of silk or satin are available for it, and the more irregular they are the better the effect. --Godey's Lady's Book, March 1884 Crazy Quilt Maker unknown Probably made in Nebraska Circa 1885 65" x 43" Durham Western Heritage Museum: 1992.122.15 detail about 15" wide           This quilt features embroidered designs based on the illustrations of Kate Greenaway. Greenaway was a hugely popular illustrator of books and magazines starting in 1880 and many of her sweet illustrations, usually idealized visions of childhood, were made into stamping patterns for embroidery work that could be ordered through magazine advertisements. Crazy Quilt Jennie C. Furguson Made in Aurora, Nebraska 1870s-1880s 56" x 65" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Dora Ann Tucker, Alexandria 8729-1 detail about 22" wide           This quilt was pieced by Jennie C. Furguson, the mother-in-law of the donor. The Furguson family came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1870 and were in the banking business in Aurora for three generations.  Although the crazy quilt fad was still going strong in the 1880s, criticism can be found as early as 1884 when Harper's Magazine lamented the over-abundance of crazy work being performed. By about 1910-1920 the fad was all but over although some quilters continued to make "crazies" and advertisements for crazy quilt pieces can be found into the 1930s. Crazy quilting has enjoyed resurgence in the last 20 years or so as modern-day quilters have discovered the creative freedom the construction of a crazy quilt encourages. As the readers of the LADY'S BOOK may like to know how this very fashionable work is done, we thought a description of it might not be out of place, and would no doubt contain some hints to help them in this pretty fancy work. First get the richest and best scraps of silk you can, for we need hardly say much of the beauty of the work depends on this. Have them every odd shape you are able to devise, and all sizes, from pieces as large as a penny to those that would cover the palm of the hand . . . The next process is to work all the joins in feather stitch, chain stitch, herring bone, etc., and this is usually done in old-gold silk, although colored silk can be introduced for variety if desired. The greater the diversity in stitches the better, but for effectiveness we think nothing equals treble and triple feather stitch, Then if you wish to spend more time upon it, all manner of little devices can be worked on the plain pieces of silk, and on the large ones that may look like bare leaves, small flowers, dots, stars, etc.; and outline bits of figures, faces, art objects, and so on in endless variety. In fact, the whole can be so worked up if desired, even to crests and monograms, that it may be almost covered with embroidery, and become quite a work of art . . . --Godey's Lady's Book, April 1883   Ad from Home Needlework Magazine, 1915 Crazy Quilt Marie Prokopec Made in Clarkson, Nebraska Early 1900s 79" x 68" Howells Congregational Church Historical Society and Museum detail about 27" wide           Marie (Tejkl) Prokopec was born in Bohemia in 1869 and immigrated to America, settling in Colfax County, Nebraska, in 1879 with her family. She married Vincent Prokopec in 1886 and they had twelve children. She made this quilt for her brother-in-law, John and his wife Josefa, as a thank you for their help during some hard times. Marie died in 1940.           In later years Josefa gave the quilt to her nephew, Joseph Krupka, and his wife Emilie for the help they gave her after her husband died. The quilt then passed through the Krupka family until it was donated to the Howells Historical Museum. In 2007 the quilt was loaned to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. for exhibition. Crazy Quilt Dora E. Swanson Made near Clay Center, Nebraska Circa 1912 83" x 74" Clay County Historical Society and Museum: 1984.1.1 detail about 50" wide           The maker of this quilt, Dora Swanson, was a seamstress in the Clay Center area and this quilt is made from cherished pieces of her sewing scraps. Dora grew up on a farm northeast of Clay Center but lived in Clay Center while working as a seamstress. According to Dora's younger sister, Bernice: "Dora made this quilt during the cold winter evenings . . .when we spent much time in one room around the old base-burner" Dora eventually moved to Hastings in 1925 to work in the office of her brother, a medical doctor.           It was common for crazy quilts to be sentimental reminders of people and past events with the inclusion of treasured pieces of fabric. The furniture of the room is most pleasing when made up of odd pieces. Willow ware prettily decorated with ribbons and cushioned with plush or crazy patchwork, is always suitable. --Godey's Lady's Book, August 1884 Crazy Quilt Makers Unknown Made in Custer County, Nebraska 1920 90" x 72" Custer County Historical Society detail about 24" wide           Many makers worked together to assemble this quilt as a fundraiser for the Mount Zion Presbyterian Church in the Flatbottom community, south of Ansley, in Custer County, Nebraska.     Ad from Home Needlework Magazine, May, 1914 Crazy Quilt Maker unknown Probably made in Sweden 1890s 73" x 61" Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer: 1967.0261.001 detail about 24" wide           Mrs. Emma (Johnson) Collins brought this quilt to American from Sweden around 1895. They settled in Douglas Grove in Custer County by the early 1900s. Crazy Quilt Maker Unknown Possibly made in Illinois 1930-1940 82" x 67" International Quilt Study Center, Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0866 detail about 16" wide   It is no easy task to arrange the scraps; the difficulty, indeed, has led to the remark that it is rightly called "crazy work," as, apart from that referring to the shapes of the pieces, it applies equally to the sense of bewilderment one experiences at first trying it. --Godey's Lady's Book, April 1883 Crazy Quilt Possibly made by Mrs. James Pollard Possibly made in Washington County, Nebraska Late 1800s 79" x 72" Durham Western Heritage Museum 1993.149.1 detail about 20" wide             A common problem with crazy quilts made at the end of the 19th century is the "shattering" of the silk. Silks were made as cheaply as possible at that time and light silks were weighted with mineral salts or gall to give them a heavier feel and more rustle. Unfortunately, these added elements cause the silk to deteriorate over time and there is no remedy for the problem. Crazy Quilt Mary R. Morgan Made in Nebraska Circa 1900 79" x 64" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Lucile Hudgens, Central City: 11497-2  detail about 23" wide            Mary R. Morgan made this quilt using ribbons from Womens Relief Corps (auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic) Conventions. Crazy quilts, like many other quilts, were commonly used to commemorate events or significant life events. The inclusion of silk ribbons in crazy quilts could add a sentimental or even political bent to the piece. Crazy Quilt Maker Unknown Probably made in Talmage, Nebraska Circa 1898 39" x 34" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Mrs. Lila Scrimsher, Lincoln: 9714-46 detail about 30" wide         This baby quilt was made for the donor, Lila Scrimsher, who was born in 1898 and grew up in Talmage, Nebraska.    Ad from Home Arts Needlecraft Magazine, February, 1936   Crazy Quilt Mrs. L.D. Wolven Made in Nebraska 1880-1900 73" x 59" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Mrs. Chas Wimer, Ashland: 7683-1 detail about 36" wide          The donor's Great Aunt, Mrs. L. D. Wolven, made this quilt and entered it into two Nebraska State Fairs. It is believed that the two ribbons attached to the corners are from the fairs. Crazy Quilt Mary Finnegan Crawmer Bartley, Nebraska Early 1920s 91" x 61" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Wanda Crawmer, Lincoln: 10781-1 detail about 36" wide          Mary Finnegan Crawmer made this warm utility quilt using wool and cotton clothing remnants for the top and cotton flannel for the backing. Although intended for use, unlike most crazy quilts, Mary carefully embroidered all the edges of the patches with colorful floss. Crazy Quilt Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church Made in Filley, Nebraska 1893 86" x 69" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Mrs. K.L. McGill, Lindsborg, Kansas 8636-1 detail about 20" wide          This fabulous crazy quilt was used as a fundraising project for the Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Filley, Nebraska, in 1893. Twenty quilt blocks were made and nineteen were embroidered with the names or initials of the maker. The twentieth block (in the center) featured the inscription for the Society and the year. Money was raised by selling the privilege of having one's name inscribed on the back of the quilt. Whoever raised the most money won the quilt. The donor's mother, Kate Williams Filley (Mrs. O. E. Filley), was the winner and received the added bonus of having to back the piece. Ingeniously, Kate typed the names of the "benefactors" onto seventeen-inch strips, and laid them so that each maker's square would be backed by her list of names. This quilt won many prizes at the Nebraska State Fair before Kate and her husband left Nebraska for Muskogee, Oklahoma, (then called Indian Territory), around 1900. It won another prize from the New State Fair Association in Muskogee before being retired from competition due to signs of wear. Crazy Quilt Mary Ellen (Boynton) Farnham Place made unknown 1890-1910 61" x 60" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Mrs. Charles V. Traphagen, Lincoln 9080-13 detail about 12" wide          This style of crazy quilt is sometimes called a "contained crazy," as the crazy work patches are contained with sashing. This particular quilt was made by the donor's grandmother. Crazy Quilt Anna Mallat Probably made in Nebraska 1901 72" x 72" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Mrs. A.B. Whitmer, Ventura, California 9142-1 detail about 14" wide   Crazy Quilt Ruth Gartner Made in Lincoln, Nebraska 1975-1979 84"x 63" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Tim and Colleen Gartner, Oakland, California   13155-2 detail about 13" wide          This crazy quilt was made by Ruth Gartner. Ruth was born in Lincoln and earned her undergraduate degree from Drake University in Des Moines in 1930. In 1968, she earned her Master's degree from the University of Nebraska.          Ruth taught journalism and English at Lincoln High School from 1956-1974. She was also the faculty advisor for the Advocate newspaper and the Links Yearbook. In 1971 she completed a history of Lincoln High School's first 100 years.          She moved from Lincoln to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1977. She passed away there December 24, 1999 at the age of 90. Crazy Quilt Mary Gwyer Townsend Made in Norwalk, Connecticut Circa 1875 56" x 39" Nebraska State Historical Society Source: Yates, Gwyer, Glass, Schlossberg Collection  10248-192 detail about 15" wide   Crazy Quilt Nancy Barnes Probably made in Grand Island, Nebraska 1900-1920 87" x 71" Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer 1965.0166.005 detail about 22" wide          This quilt was made by Nancy Barnes who was born in New York and moved to Grand Island, Nebraska by 1900. She was married to Civil War veteran Eli Barnes who oversaw the Soldiers and Sailors home in Grand Island. Crazy Quilt Maker unknown Probably made in Nebraska Circa 1884 58" x 58" Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer 1980.0003.001 detail about 14" wide   Crazy Quilt Maker unknown Probably made in Pennsylvania Circa 1870 82" x 73" International Quilt Study Center, Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0610 detail about 14" wide   Crazy Quilt Sarah C. Schooley Made in Noble County, Ohio 1890 74" x 67" International Quilt Study Center, Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0695 detail about 14" wide   Crazy Quilt Maker unknown Place made unknown Late 1800s 47" x 41" Sarpy County Historical Society 79.1545 detail about 15" wide   Crazy Quilt Maker unknown Place made unknown Circa 1890 40" x 38" Dodge County Historical Society/May Museum 662.211.08b detail about 7" wide   Crazy Quilt Maker unknown Place made unknown Late 1800s to early 1900s 83" x 75" Nemaha Valley Museum, Inc. 1018.14 detail about 15" wide Crazy Quilt Mrs. J. H. "Azuba" Read Made in Atlanta, Nebraska Early 1900s 71" x 69" Nebraska Prairie Museum detail about 16" wide           This fantastic quilt contains various types of hat-making materials. Crazy Quilt with Dresden Plate variation Anna Porter and Opal Crom Probably made in Tekamah, Nebraska Late 1800s to early 1900s 82" x 60" Burt County Museum, Inc. 2024 detail about 17" wide          The top of this quilt was pieced by Anna Porter and it was backed and tied by Opal Crom around 1993. Crazy Quilt Julie McGuire Place made unknown 1895 78" x 64" Burt County Museum, Inc. 3840 detail about 19" wide          Julie McGuire made this quilt for her daughter, Ruth Canfield.

NSHS Home Museum Exhibits Interior of a Nebraska home with a crazy quilt at the bottom of the bed. Source: Nebraska State Historical Society, RG2197.PH:2-3 SFN12694 Interior of A. B. Persinger's ranch near Lodgepole, Nebraska around 1910. Note the crazy work pillow on the right. Source: Nebraska State Historical Society, RG2379.PH:2-7 SFN12696 Group of young girls from about 1900 with a crazy work pillow featured on the bottom left. Source: Stuhr Museum of the Praire Pioneer