Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

I'm an age of specialized collectors,
when everything from guns to
snuff boxes are sought by curio and
antique "fadistS," a Georgetown
resident, Mrs. Fulton Lewis, 1863
Thirty-first street, has acquired con-
siderable recognition as collector and
student of old quilts.
For more than 20 years Mrs. Lewis
has kept her collector "eyes and ears
cpen" for any information which might
throw new light upon the. intricacies OF
the patch and pfece-wori5 art of 100
years ago. Now, recognized authority
in her chosen field of collections, Mrs.
Lewis has gathered together from many
parts of the country more than As rare
quilts of great value.
Relics of Pioneer Age.
Quilts are not merely bed coverings
to Mrs. Lewis. They are mute witnesses
to the pioneer age of America, when
the brave, hardy women who followed
their husbands, to carve out homes in
the wilderness, used the quilting form
of needlework to give expression to their
cultural and artistic yearnihgs.
Quilting opened up wide field OF
color and design to the pioneer women"
explained Mrs. Lewis, and the quilts
which were made in the early part and
interesting light on the life of the
women of early American days The
pioneer woman could bring little Of the
culture of her background into the new
lands which she settled with her hus-
band. She found an outlet for her ar
tistic taste or talent in putting together
in intricate patterns and right colors
the scraps she had brought with her in
her voyage to find freedom in a new
land"
Highest Stage in 4Os.
st suppose quilting reached its high
est stage of perfection in the 40s," she
continued To support her statement,
Mrs. Lewis unfolded two old quilts, one
made in the still popular chimney
sweep" pattern, and pointed out names
and dates embroidered in several places
upon the coverings. One bore the date
1848-the other, l845.
These quilts, with names either en-
broidered on them or written in indel-
ible ink, are known as memory quilts, -
Mrs. Lewis explained.
Starting with the simplest -four
patch pattern continuing with the
"nine patch" and the many ramiflca-
tons of the patch designs. Mrs. Lewis
un1olded quilt after quilt. each carefully
numbered and classified, revealing an
astonishing depth of interesting and
varied information concerning the in
tricacies of quilts and quilt making.
Divided Into Two Glasses.
Quilt making can be divided into two
classes" she said. First the pieced
quilts and then the patchwork quilts.
There are more old patchwork quilts
than there are piece-wcrk quilts in
nxietppra to-day That is because the
piece-work quilts were used everyday,
whereas the patchwork quilts were the
Quilt aristocrats and were rolled up in
paper and put away"
Almost every pattern known to quilt
makers is to be found among Mrs.
Lewis collection. A very rare one,
showing the famous Star Of Bethle-
hem" design, reveals an amazing
amount of taste, patience and skill on
the part of the worker Of nearly a
| century ago. The artistic use to which
| tllangles diam nds. squares and other
| geometric forms may be put all are
| shown on this piece and patchwork Of
! lcng ago.
Designs bearing names such as Kan
sas Troubles" Leg Cabin" 'Whie
Rose" and others equally quaint easily
disclose an origin during the Nations
early years.
Romantic Memories.
Romantic memories still cling to g
number of old bridal quilts, among the
most priced pieces of Mrs. Lewis collec-
ton One of these Is patched in a de.
sign of wedding wreaths and bells. with
little red hearts placed in the center o.
the piece. A silent but eloquent testi-
monial TO what was perhaps TRACED!
or broken romance of other DAYS is ar