A unique quilt from the 1860’s that belongs to the museum’s permanent collection serves as a springboard and introduction to the exhibition. The quilt was constructed by Adeline Harris Sears, who sent small white fabric diamonds to people around the country (including Abraham Lincoln!) and requested that they autograph the swatches and return them to her. She then sewed them into the quilt, thereby displaying the broad diversity of the American people. The quilt symbolizes the best of the American experience and the myriad Americans who make up this experience and is indeed a stunning reflection of the country. Peering at the squares to find the famous was indeed a fun challenge due to the difficulty of deciphering the elegant and flowery handwriting of the time!
The quilt serves as a springboard and introduction to the exhibition which features designs from the early 1940’s to the 2021-22 fall/winter collections and shows the differing fashions of America and the diversity of its designers.