Vintage 1930s–1940s String Quilt, Hand Quilted, Buttercup Yellow Sashing, 69” x 81”

This very colorful String Quilt dates to approximately the 1930s–1940s. String quilts are scrappy bedcovers made from narrow, irregular textile trimmings - termed "strings". This type of quilt was popular throughout the 19th century and peaked in popularity during the Great Depression and World War II. These quilts have a real folk art quality as they are improvisational and spontaneous rather than following set patterns or rules.

This quilt is constructed in vertical rows of string-pieced blocks, each assembled from narrow strips of assorted cotton fabrics set on the diagonal. The fabrics include ginghams, plaids, checks, stripes, solids and small-scale prints in pink, blue, lavender, green, red, brown and yellow. Bright golden-yellow bands divide the individual blocks and give the quilt a particularly strong graphic appearance.

The string-pieced sections are separated by wide cream-colored sashing accented with narrow blue-gray printed strips and small floral motifs. A wide cream border finishes the quilt. The combination of scrap fabrics, irregular strip widths and bold use of color gives it the characteristic appearance of a Depression-era quilt while remaining carefully organized and visually balanced.

The quilt is entirely hand quilted. The quilting follows the individual strips through the pieced blocks, with closely spaced straight-line quilting through the sashing and borders. The back is a plain light-colored cotton as is the binding that has been handstitched to both sides. The cotton batting is lightweight.

CONDITION: Very good vintage condition. The quilt remains intact and usable, with strong color and extensive original hand quilting. Please review all photographs closely as they form an important part of the description.

Details:
• Date: circa 1930s–1940s
• Pattern: String Quilt / String Piecing
• Measurements: 69” x 81”
• Cotton fabrics
• Scrap construction with ginghams, plaids, checks, stripes, solids and prints
• Hand pieced/string pieced
• Hand quilted
• Plain light cotton backing
• Buttercup-yellow block dividers with cream and blue-gray sashing