Quilt scholars have documented the prevalence of string quilts within various regions, including New Mexico, New England, and the rural South. This example, however, has possible Pennsylvania origins. String piecing may have complemented other forms of sewing, including dressmaking or quiltmaking using more orderly patterns. The leftovers for projects—down to the smallest “string”—could be thriftily integrated into a string quilt.

Pattern: 
String Squares
Maker: 
Maker unknown
Circa
1920
1940
Possibly made in
Pennsylvania
United States
82.5
72.5
IQM, Jonathan Holstein/Gail van der Hoof Collection
2003.003.0001