Chapter 6

QUILT NAMES

Among the most fascinating features of quilt lore are the great number and wonderful variety of names given to quilt designs. A distinct individuality is worked into every quilt by its maker, which in most instances makes it worthy of a name. The many days spent in creating even a simple quilt give the maker ample time in which to ponder over a name for the design, so that the one selected generally reflects some peculiarity in her personality. History, politics, religion, nature, poetry, and romance, all are stitched into the gayly coloured blocks and exert their influence on quilt appellations. Careful consideration of a large number of quilts reveals but few that have been named in a haphazard way; in nearly every instance there was a reason or at least a suggestion for the name.

In most cases the relation between name and design is so evident that the correct name at once suggests itself, even to the novice in quilt making. The common "star" pattern, in which one star is made the centre of each block, is invariably known as the "Five-pointed Star." A variation in the size of the stars or the number of colours entering into their composition has not resulted in any new name.

It is quite usual, however, when there is a slight deviation from a familiar pattern, resulting from either the introduction of some variation or by the omission of a portion of the old design, to make a corresponding change in the name. Good illustrations of this custom are the minor alterations which have been made in the tree trunk of the "tree" pattern. These may be so slight as to be entirely unobserved by the casual admirer, yet they are responsible for at least three new names: "Pine Tree," "Temperance Tree," and "Tree of Paradise." A minor change in the ordinary "Nine Patch," with a new name as a result, is another striking example of how very slight an alteration may be in order to inspire a new title. In this case, the central block is cut somewhat larger than in the old "Nine Patch," and the four corner blocks are, by comparison with the centre block, quite small. This slight change is in reality a magical transformation, for the staid "Nine Patch" has now become a lively "Puss-in-the-Corner." The changes in some patterns have come about through efforts to make a limited amount of highly prized colour brighten a whole quilt. This circumstance, as much as any other, has been the cause of new names.

Important events occurring during the construction periods of old quilts are quite frequently recalled to us by their names. The stirring frontier activities and the great men of history made impressions on the mind of the housewife which found expression in the names of her quilts. "Washington's Plumes," "Mexican Rose," and "Rose of Dixie" are old quilt names reflecting domestic interest in important events. The hardships and vicissitudes endured by the sturdy pioneers were constantly in the minds of the early American quilters and inspired many names. "Pilgrim's Pride," "Bear's Paws," "Rocky Road to Kansas," "Texas Tears," and "Rocky Road to California" have great interest as they reveal to us the thoughts of our great-grandmothers over their quilting frames.

The names having political significance, which were attached to quilts, show that the women as well as the men had a keen interest in the affairs of our country in its earlier days. "Old Tippecanoe," "Lincoln's Platform," "Harrison Rose," "Democrat Rose," "Whig Rose," and "Radical Rose" are all suggestive of the great discussion over slavery. Of the last name, an old lady, famous for her quilt making, said: "Here's my 'Radical Rose.' I reckon you've heard I was the first human that ever put black in a Radical Rose. Thar hit is, right plumb in the middle. Well, whenever you see black in a Radical Rose you can know hit war made atter the second year of the war (Civil War). Hit was this way, ever' man war a-talkin' about the Radicals and all the women tuk to makin' Radical Roses. One day I got to studying that thar ought to be some black in that thar pattern, sence half the trouble was to free the niggers, and hit didn't look fair to leave them out. And from that day to this thar's been black in ever' Radical Rose."

Other names having patriotic, political, or historical significance are:

Union Yankee Puzzle Continental Union Calico Quilt Star-Spangled Banner Confederate Rose Boston Puzzle

There is also the "Centennial" in commemoration of the Centennial Exposition held at Philadelphia in 1876, and "The World's Fair," "World's Fair Puzzle," and "World's Fair Blocks" to perpetuate the grandeurs of the great exposition held at Chicago in 1893.

Religion is closely associated with the life of the industrious, sober-minded dwellers of our villages and farms, and it is the most natural thing in the world for the Biblical teachings to crop out in the names of their quilts, as the following names indicate:

Garden of Eden Golden Gates Jacob's Ladder Joseph's Coat Solomon's Temple Solomon's Crown Star of Bethlehem Tree of Paradise Forbidden Fruit Tree

The glories of the sky enjoy ample prominence among quilt names. Beginning with the "Rising Sun," of which there are several different designs, there follow "Sunshine" and "Sunburst," then "Rainbow," and finally a whole constellation of "Stars":

Blazing Star Brunswick Star Combination Star Chicago Star Columbia Star Crosses and Stars Cluster of Stars California Star Diamond Star Eight-pointed Star Evening Star Feather Star Five-pointed Star Flying Star Four X Star Four Stars Patch Joining Star Ladies' Beautiful Star Morning Star New Star Novel Star Odd Star Premium Star Ribbon Star Rolling Star Sashed Star Seven Stars Star Lane Star of Bethlehem Star and Chains Star of Many Points Star and Squares Star and Cubes Star Puzzle Shooting Star Star of the West Star and Cross Star of Texas Stars upon Stars Squares and Stars St. Louis Star Star, A Twinkling Star Union Star Wheel and Star Western Star

In connection with the "Star" quilt names it is worthy of notice that geometric names outnumber those of any other class. "Squares," "triangles," and "circles" are well represented, but the "Stars" easily lead with nearly fifty names.

Names of various other geometric patterns appear below:

Art Square Barrister's Blocks Beggar's Blocks Box Blocks Circle within Circle Cross within Cross Cross and Crown Cube Work Cube Lattice Diamonds Diamond Cube Diamond Design Double Squares Domino and Square Eight-point Design Five Stripes Fool's Square Four Points Greek Cross Greek Square Hexagonal Interlaced Blocks Maltese Cross Memory Blocks Memory Circle New Four Patch New Nine Patch Octagon Pinwheel Square Red Cross Ribbon Squares Roman Cross Sawtooth Patchwork Square and Swallow Square and a Half Squares and Stripes Square and Triangle Stripe Squares The Cross The Diamond Triangle Puzzle Triangular Triangle Variegated Diamonds Variegated Hexagons

Names of a nautical turn are to be expected for quilts which originate in seaside cottages and seaport villages. "Bounding Betty," "Ocean Waves," and "Storm at Sea" have a flavour as salty as the spray which dampens them when they are spread out to sun by the sandy shore.

That poetry and romance have left their mark on the quilt is shown by the names that have been drawn from these sources. "Lady of the Lake," "Charm," "Air Castle," "Wheel of Fortune," and "Wonder of the World" are typical examples. Sentimental names are also in evidence, as "Love Rose," "Lovers' Links," "True Lovers' Knot," "Friendship Quilt," and "Wedding Knot."

Nature furnishes more suggestions for beautiful quilt designs than any other source. So frequently are her models resorted to by quilt makers the world over that many different designs have been inspired by the same leaf or flower. The rose especially is used again and again, and will always be the favourite flower of the quilter. There are at least twenty "rose" names to prove how this flower has endeared itself to the devotees of piece-block and quilting frame:

Rose California Rose Complex Rose Confederate Rose Democrat Rose Dutch Rose Harrison Rose Harvest Rose Love Rose Mexican Rose Prairie Rose Rose of Sharon Rose of Dixie Rose of the Carolinas Rosebud and Leaves Rose Album Rose of LeMoine Radical Rose Whig Rose Wild Rose Wreath of Roses

Other flowery names are also popular:

Basket of Lilies Bouquet Cleveland Lilies Cactus Blossom Chrysanthemums Double Peony Daisies Daffodils and Butterflies Field Daisies Flower Basket Iris Jonquils Lily Quilt Pattern Lily of the Valley Morning Glory Morning Gray Wreath Persian Palm Lady Poppy Pansies and Butterflies Single Sunflowers Sunflowers Tulip in Vase Tassel Plant Tulip Blocks Three-flowered Sunflower The Mayflower Tulip Lady Finger White Day Lily

When seeking flowers that lend themselves readily to quilt designs it is best to choose those whose leaves and blossoms present clear, distinct, and easily traced outlines. The names of many of the quaint varieties that flourish in old-fashioned gardens, as lilacs, phlox, larkspur, and marigolds, are absent from the list. This is because their lacy foliage and complex arrangement of petals cannot be reproduced satisfactorily in quilt materials.

Even the lowly vegetables secure some mention among quilt names with "Corn and Beans." The fruits and trees are well represented, as noted by the following list:

Apple Hexagon Cherry Basket California Oak Leaf Cypress Leaf Christmas Tree Fruit Basket Grape Basket Hickory Leaf Imperial Tea Indian Plum Live Oak Tree Little Beech Tree Maple Leaf May Berry Leaf Olive Branch Orange Peel Oak Leaf and Tulip Oak Leaf and Acorns Pineapple Pine Tree Sweet Gum Leaf Strawberry Tea Leaf Tufted Cherry Temperance Tree Tulip Tree Leaves

The names of birds and insects are almost as popular as those of flowers, as this list will bear witness:

Bluebird Brown-tailed Moth Butterflies Bird's Nest Crow's Foot Chimney Swallows Cockscomb Dove in the Window Duck and Ducklings Four Little Birds Goose Tracks Goose in the Pond Honeycomb Honeycomb Patch Hen and Chickens King's Crows Peacocks and Flowers Spider's Den Shoo Fly Spider's Web Swarm of Bees The Two Doves Wild Goose Chase

The animals also must be credited with their share of names:

Bear's Foot Bear's Paws Bat's Wings Bunnies Cats and Mice Flying Bat Four Frogs Quilt Leap Frog Puss-in-the-Corner The Snail's Trail Toad in the Puddle The Lobster (1812)

Occasionally the quilt maker was honoured by having her name given to her handiwork, as "Mrs. Morgan's Choice," "Mollie's Choice," "Sarah's Favourite," and "Fanny's Fan." Aunts and grandmothers figure as prominently in the naming of quilts as they do in the making of them. "Aunt Sukey's Patch," "Aunt Eliza's Star Point," "Grandmother's Own," "Grandmother's Dream," and "Grandmother's Choice" are typical examples.

Quilt names in which reference is made to persons and personalities are quite numerous, as is proved by the list given below:

Coxey's Camp Crazy Ann Dutchman's Puzzle Everybody's Favourite Eight Hands Around Grandmother's Choice Garfield's Monument Gentleman's Fancy Handy Andy Hands All Around Hobson's Kiss Indian Plumes Indian Hatchet Jack's House Joseph's Necktie King's Crown Lady Fingers Ladies' Wreath Ladies' Delight Mary's Garden Mrs. Cleveland's Choice Old Maid's Puzzle Odd Fellows' Chain Princess Feather President's Quilt Sister's Choice The Tumbler The Hand The Priscilla Twin Sisters Vice-President's Quilt Widower's Choice Washington's Puzzle Washington's Sidewalk Washington's Plumes

Names derived both from local neighbourhoods and foreign lands occupy a prominent place in the quilt list:

Arabic Lattice American Log Patch Arkansas Traveller Alabama Beauty Blackford's Beauty Boston Puzzle Columbian Puzzle Cross Roads to Texas Double Irish Chain French Basket Grecian Design Indiana Wreath Irish Puzzle Kansas Troubles Linton London Roads Mexican Rose Oklahoma Boomer Philadelphia Beauty Philadelphia Pavement Rocky Glen Royal Japanese Vase Rocky Road to Kansas Rocky Road to California Road to California Roman Stripe Rockingham's Beauty Rose of Dixie Rose of the Carolinas Star of Texas Texas Flower The Philippines Texas Tears Venetian Design Village Church Virginia Gentleman

Sometimes the names of a flower and a locality are combined, as in "Persian Palm Lily" and "Carolina Lily." This latter design is quite a popular one in the Middle West, where it is known also as "Star Flower."

Figures and letters come in for some attention, for a few of the designs thus named are quite artistic. The best known are "Boxed I's," "Capital I," "Double Z," "Four E's," "Fleur-de-Lis," "Letter H," "Letter X," and "T Quartette."

Inanimate objects, particularly those about the house, inspired many names for patterns, some of which are quite appropriate. A number of such names are given here:

Album Base Ball Basket Quilt Block Album Brickwork Quilt Carpenter's Rule Carpenter's Square Churn Dash Cog Wheel Compass Crossed Canoes Diagonal Log Chain Domino Double Wrench Flutter Wheel Fan Fan Patch Fan and Rainbow Ferris Wheel Flower Pot Hour Glass Ice Cream Bowl Log Patch Log Cabin Necktie Needle Book New Album Pincushion and Burr Paving Blocks Pickle Dish Rolling Pinwheel Rolling Stone Sashed Album Shelf Chain Snowflake Snowball Stone Wall Sugar Loaf Spools Shield Scissor's Chain Square Log Cabin The Railroad The Disk The Globe The Wheel Tile Patchwork Watered Ribbon Wind Mill

Occasionally the wag of the family had his opportunity, for it took some one with a strain of dry humour to suggest "Old Bachelor's Puzzle," "Drunkard's Path," and "All Tangled Up," or to have ironically called one quilt a "Blind Man's Fancy."

Imagination was not lacking when it came to applying apt names to some of the simplest designs. To have called rows of small triangles running diagonally across a quilt the "Wild Goose Chase," the maker must have known something of the habits of wild geese, for as these migrate from North to South and back again following the summer's warmth, they fly one behind the other in long V-shaped lines. The resemblance of these lines, swiftly moving across the sky, to her neat rows of triangles supplied the quilt maker with her inspiration.

Names that are grotesque, or fanciful, or so descriptive that their mention is sure to provoke a grin, occur with pleasing frequency. Who can help but smile at "Hairpin Catcher," "Hearts and Gizzards," or "Tangled Garters?" Other grotesque names worthy of mention are:

An Odd Pattern Autograph Quilt Boy's Nonsense Brick Pile Broken Dish Cake Stand Crazy Quilt Devil's Puzzle Fantastic Patch Fool's Puzzle No Name Quilt Pullman Puzzle Puzzle File Robbing Peter to Pay Paul State House Steps Steps to the Altar Swing in the Centre The X quisite Tick-Tack-Toe Vestibule

The everyday quilts, not particularly beautiful, perhaps, but nevertheless so essential to the family comfort, are also considered worthy of names. Homely and prosaic as their owners, the following names have a peculiar rugged quality entirely lacking in the fanciful ones given to their more artistic sisters:

An Old Patchwork Bedtime Coarse Woven Patch Country Farm Crib Quilt Crosses and Losses Economy Home Treasure Odds and Ends Odd Patchwork Old Scrap Patchwork Right and Left Simple Design Swinging Corners The Old Homestead Twist and Turn Twist Patchwork Winding Walk Workbox

In the old days grown-up folks were not the only ones who had to do with naming the quilts; children shared in the honour, and many of the quaint and fantastic names were the result of humouring their fancies. There was no "B'rer Rabbit" in quilt lore, but he was not missed when the two or three youngsters who cuddled in the old-fashioned trundle bed could have so many other fascinating names for their quilts. "Four Little Birds," "Ducks and Ducklings," "Children's Delight," "The Little Red House," "Goose in the Pond," "The House That Jack Built," "Toad in the Puddle," and "Johnny Around the Corner" are some of the old names still in use to-day. Any one of these patterns made up into a quilt was a treasure to imaginative children, and it was doubly so when they could pick out among the tiny blocks bits of colour that were once in their own gay dresses and pinafores.

Clinging lavender wisteria, sweet jasmine, and even scarlet amaryllis pale beside the glowing colours displayed during sunny spring days on the gallery rails of many country homes through Delaware and Virginia. These picturesque scenes, in which the familiar domestic art supplies the essential touch of colour, are aptly described by Robert and Elizabeth Shackleton, those indefatigable searchers for the beautiful among the relics of our forefathers.

"In many a little village, and in many an isolated mountain home, the old-time art of making patchwork coverlets is remembered and practised. Some may be found that are generations old; others are new, but made in precisely the old-time way, and after the same patterns. Many are in gorgeous colours, in glowing yellows, greens, and purples; and being a matter of housewifely pride, they are often thrown over the 'gallery rail' so their glory may be seen.

"One guest bed had nineteen quilts! Not to sleep under such a padded mountain, but it was the most natural method of display. Each quilt had its name. There was the "Western Star," the "Rose of the Carolinas," the "Log Cabin," the "Virginia Gentleman," the "Fruit Basket," the "Lily of the Valley"--as many special names as there are designs."