WWII Era American Legion Auxiliary Signature Quilt – Unit 55 – Taylor/Belton Texas – 62” x 77”

This vintage signature quilt is attributed to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 55 in the Taylor–Belton, Texas area and dates to the early years of World War II, circa 1940–1943.

Handmade with community spirit, the quilt features dozens of individually embroidered names—men and women—representing members and supporters of a local civic group. One block is clearly stitched “Unit 55,” firmly linking the quilt to a numbered Auxiliary unit active in Central Texas during the WWII era. These community quilts were often created as fundraising or commemorative projects, with each name representing a donation, membership, or contribution to the war effort.

The quilt is constructed from a variety of authentic 1930s–early 1940s feedsack and cotton prints, including florals, geometrics, polka dots, and charming novelty prints in a cheerful palette—turquoise, cherry red, sunshine yellow, and green. Each name is hand embroidered in colored thread and different hand-writing, giving the quilt a very personal quality. The hand-quilting is in repeating shell grids.

The back is white cotton that has been turned to the front and hand-stitched to form the binding. The cotton batting is lightweight.

The quilt is in excellent vintage condition with one small seam separation.

Details
• Date: Circa 1940–1943 (WWII era)
• Origin: Taylor / Belton, Texas area
• Attribution: Likely American Legion Auxiliary Unit 55
• Size: 62” x 77”
• Pattern: Signature / community quilt with embroidered names
• Materials: Cotton fabrics including 1930s–40s feedsack prints
• Construction: Hand pieced, hand embroidered, and hand quilted
• Quilting: Hand quilted in repeating shell grids
• Backing: Plain white cotton
• Batting: Lightweight cotton batting

The quilt comes from a smoke-free, pet-free home and is pictured on a queen-size bed.