19Th Century American Log Cabin, Courthouse Steps Quilt

This Courthouse Steps quilt is a vintage piece with a rich history, providing a glimpse into the life of its creator.

The age, fabric, and Log Cabin design offer clues about the woman who crafted it and the historical context in which it was made.

This lightweight quilt, lacking batting and featuring a calico backing, showcases resourcefulness with materials such as farmyard sacks, all meticulously hand-stitched.

Log cabin quilts gained prominence during the American Civil War, where women created them to raise funds.

The design, attributed to Abraham Lincoln's log cabin upbringing, incorporates a red square symbolizing the cabin's hearth.

The "logs" surrounding the square consist of light fabric on two sides (representing sunlight) and dark fabric strips on the other two sides (representing shade).

Taking it a step further, the Courthouse Steps design introduces a subtle variation.

The central square now symbolizes the Courthouse, a central gathering place for town news and meetings.

The dark and light logs are arranged on opposite sides of the centre, creating the illusion of steps leading to the courthouse.

This specific Courthouse Steps quilt measures 193 cm x 220 cm, weighs 1.20 kg, and has not undergone cleaning or restoration so to preserve the writing on the back.

Some breakages are evident on the back where the square bags have been sewn together, but they are minimal.