Object Record
Images
Additional Images [3]
Metadata
Object Name |
Quilt |
Object ID # |
2000.22.1 |
Title |
Pastor Allen M. Fretz Friendship Quilt, Christmas 1908 |
Creator |
Sewing Circle, Zion Mennonite Church |
Place of Origin |
Souderton, PA |
Date |
1908 |
Material |
Cotton |
Dimensions |
W-76.5 L-80.25 inches |
Description |
Friendship Quilt comprised of a modified 6 x 7 block formation with large center square. The entire quilt is made out of bleached white cotton feed bags. Each block averages 10.50" x 10.50" and consists of the ground fabric with embroidered names. The center square measures 21.00" x 21.00" and features the inscription "Presented to Allen M. Fretz Pastor. By the Sewing Circle of the Zion Mennonite church Xmas 1908" and flanked by four small tringle panels with Bible verses embroidered, and four large triangle panels with various embroidered names. The surrounding border is only on the top, right and left side and varies in width. The top border is 6.00" wide and features embroidered names in a zigzag pattern, while the right and left border is 6.75" wide and consists of two panels of names reading vertically, while the rest of the names are set on the diagonal. For the complete list of names and location please see the attached table. There is a butted binding and the entire quilt is machine stitched with white thread. There is no batting between the front and back panels. The back is comprised of twelve panels of bleached white cotton feedbags with one panel still featuring its stamped trademark in brown lettering, which reads: "LEHIGH SHEETINGS" alongside a logo of a cowboy on a bucking horse and some illegible numbers, possibly "60 [illegible]." Transcription of names on quilt: Click Here |
Provenance |
Made by the Sewing Circle of the Zion Mennonite Church, Souderton, Pa., at Christmas 1908. It was then given to their pastor, Allen M. Fretz (1853-1943) at the time of his resignation. Allen married three times; when he was given this quilt, he was married to Anna W. (Rittenhouse) Fretz (1860-1923). The quilt was handed down to their oldest son, Jacob R. Fretz (1886-1974), and then to his son J. Millard Fretz (1912-1999), husband of the donor. |
Source |
Gift of Evelyn Nicholson Fretz |
People |
Fretz, Allen M., 1853-1943 Fretz, Anna W. Rittenhouse, 1860-1923 |
Search Terms |
Zion Mennonite Church Friendship Quilt Signature Quilt Sewing Circle Lehigh Sheeting Feed bags Canada |
Collection |
Textiles-Quilts |