Mammy quilt from the Texas hills
The image above represents yet another “Mammy quilt.” Of the ones I have seen so far, they are all very different. This one features solid color fabrics for the dresses, in red, orange, beige, green, electric blue (my name for it), and tan. Notice that each “mammy” is wearing her hat a different way. The owner, Sherri Winter, states that she thinks the quilt is over 100 years old. It is always more difficult to guess the age of a quilt that has only plain, not printed, fabrics.
Although some folks would consider something like this a sign of racial prejudice, keep in mind that it is only a material object, and the maker probably had a fondness for mammies, those beloved and nurturing members of many a southern family.
Thanks very much for sharing this quilt.
I have posted other information about mammy quilts on this blog. Use the “search” function to find the other files, if you wish.
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
