• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Showroom
  • Shop Online
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics

Gracious living that's light on the earth

You are here: Home / Art / Vintage 1986 Signed Women’s Reproduction Rights Quilt

in Art

Vintage 1986 Signed Women’s Reproduction Rights Quilt

It’s sad to think that after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that this quilt is even more poignant than it already was. It makes writing about it during Women’s History Month a bit bittersweet.

1986 Reproductive Rights Quilt by Women’s Center of Montgomery County, PA.

Where Women Stood (A Stitch in Time)

One of the most stunning finds of my textiles career, this dated (1986) and multi-person documented quilt is so full of history I almost don’t know where to begin.

The core of the piece is about females — women’s health, women’s reproductive rights, women’s dignity, the phases of a woman’s life, the female place in American society.

The significant amount of historical notation on the piece, along with its unique subject matter, makes this rare quilt a collector’s dream for anyone seeking a truly unique vintage expression of American gender politics in fiber art. Supporters of women’s rights, textiles collectors, and even collectors of signifying Americana will find this irresistible.

The hand-sewn quilt is identified in fabric pen on the back with:

“This quilt was made in 1986 by the women listed on the blocks. It was assembled and quilted at the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, PA. The quilt was raffled on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1986.”

The raffle event was to celebrate the center’s 10th anniversary, as it was founded in 1976, during the nation’s 200th birthday, adding another historic layer to this remarkable piece. Montgomery County, Pa is a densely populated suburban and rural county outside Philadelphia.

Two of the quilt blocks speak to the center’s anniversary. One depicts a rotary desk phone in appliqué, the center’s hotline, with a phone number. Under this is 1976-1986. In two corners are the astrological/alchemical Greek symbol for females. On the back it reads “Hotline” by Donna Leichner.

The other block referencing the anniversary is titled “The Women’s Center is Born” by Linda Collins. It’s mixed media — appliqué and fabric paint — with the female symbol planted as a sunflower, and in fabric paint it reads:

“The Women’s Center of Eastern Montgomery County
Open Meeting— Monday-February 16, 1976 — 8:15 P.M. — Abington Free Library 1030 York Road
We Need Help Organizing A Variety of Services for Women.”

Here are a few shots from the piece:

Reproductive Rights in Late 20th Century America

Several blocks distinctly represent women’s reproductive health matters in a different ways:

  • An appliqué and silver embroidery piece featuring the top of the Statue of Liberty with the words “Freedom to Choose” in silver embroidery thread titled “Statue of Liberty.” By Marge Weigner.
  • One appliqué depicts a nearly full term baby in the womb. Titled “The Family is One.” By Delphine Sherrin.
  • “Women — the Real Guinea Pigs” by Donna Sayer is an appliquéd guinea pig with embroidered names of women-centric medicine, contraception, and surgeries whose results and/or impact weren’t always known until after use or implementation — IUD, The Pill, Mastectomy, Hysterectomy, Flagyl, Dalkon Shield, ERT (estrogen replacement therapy), and DES (Diethylstilboestrol) are mentioned.
  • “Women’s Center Logo” by Barbara Mortenson features three appliquéd female symbols interlocked and represents the health services offered by this center.

Solidarity Sister!

Other blocks highlight significant female figures:

  • A fabric painting homage to artist and women’s advocate Kathë Kollwitz’s 1916 “Mother with a Child in her Arms.” Titled “Kathë Kollovitz.” By Jeanette Cooper.
  • An appliqué of the scales of justice with one female figure on the left and eight male figures on the right. The piece is titled “Sandra Day O’Connor.” By Eleanor Kanach.
  • Rosa Parks is depicted in fabric painting with quilted definition. The year “1955” and her name are embroidered in black. Titled “I Am Not Going to Move” by Donna Leichner.
  • “Betsy Ross” is rendered in appliqué with two flags embroidered above her and the years 1776-1986. The Liberty Bell is embroidered on this square, too. By Martha Gerhart.
  • “Native American Moon Goddess” features a dancing Indian woman in fabric paint and quilt outline along with some surviving beading detail. By Linda Collins.
  • “From Bloomers to Labels” by Kay Patton features a pair of appliquéd doll bloomers with rectangular labels and the painted names of significant female designers — women like Coco Chanel, Anne Klein, Laura Ashley, etc.

Remaining blocks include:

  • “Women Overcoming Obstacles” by Shirley Smith features an appliquéd woman with an American Sign Language hand and a wheelchair symbol. The words “Overcoming Obstacles” is embroidered around this.
  • The International Women’s Peace Logo of a cross, dove with olive branch, and landscape. By Barbara Kalar.
  • “Hull House” by Claire Boritz depicts in appliqué a house flanked by potted flowering plants. Referencing early female political organizer Jane Addams’s Chicago Hull House which was founded in 1889 to provide care, assistance, training, and more to women.
  • “Love is a Decision” by Betty Sayer features two doves carrying garlands around a heart in which are two embroidered interlocked rings. While not featuring two female symbols, this may have referenced gay and lesbian rights, albeit depicted obliquely given the times.
  • A block with Korean writing, the Korean flag, and the year 85, is titled “Korean Women’s Support Group.” By BoKyong Kim.
  • “Womantree” by Ginny M Koutsouros features a gold-capped woman as a tree. She emanates love from her eyes and the word WOMAN is embroidered as an acrostic reading “Work Organize Mediate Affection and Needs.” Also embroidered on the square are Bible verses: Ezekiel 47; Galatians 3:28; and Proverbs 31.
  • “Dove of Peace” by Pam Godfrey is a simple appliqué of a calico dove.
  • “The Spirit of Volunteers” by Gwen Staffieri has appliqués of a goose, basket, and hearts with the embroidered saying, “Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

The quilt back is off-white cotton with permanent marker notations of contributors’ names, dates, and square titles. The front is largely mauve and baby pink with a border in crimson red. The rest is multi-colored fabrics and paints with mostly white quilting thread.

At 73″ wide x 89.5″ long the quilt makes a significant visual statement. I advise hanging for display or museum showing rather than use.

A Hidden Gem That Was Almost Lost

The piece is almost 40 years old and was in need of TLC when we sourced it from under a box in Nelson County, Virginia. We cleaned and restored it as delicately as we could to maintain the fabric pen notations and the integrity of the art and stitching. All the quilting is in fine shape. There is a little fading of the paint and the fabric marker. There’s also the occasional fraying of some appliqué but nothing major.

Retailing on our Etsy shop for $3,500, this reproductive rights quilt is a unique piece of activist folk art by women makers. It’s as timely today as when it was created by their skilled (and amateur) hands. The project was inspired by warm hearts and sharp minds in a time of hope. It ships for free, fully insured, to anywhere in the United States.

A rare and unusual find, this quilt offers a slice of American womanhood at a time when women’s rights and reproductive rights were on the ascent.

You know, back then.

— Lindsay Curren, Lady Virginia Vintage

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Related

About Lindsay Curren

A Christian, mama, and writer, Lindsay Curren (aka Lady Virginia) is also a passionate lifelong collector of vintage fabrics. "There's something inexplicable about the pull textiles have on me. I simply can't resist sourcing them, using them, and now selling them. Other fabric addicts will understand!"

Previous Post: « Speaking of Fabric
Next Post: For the Love of Flower Power Fabrics »

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Blog

Stay connected to get all the latest

We'll never share or sell your contact information.

  • About
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Footer

more about lady virginia

A Christian, mama, and writer, Lindsay Curren (aka Lady Virginia) is also a passionate lifelong collector of vintage fabrics. "There's something inexplicable about the pull textiles have on me. I simply can't resist sourcing them, using them, and now selling them. Other fabric addicts will understand!"

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

looking for something?

Get Our Free E-Book

Get free ebook

Latest on Instagram

A vibrant and expressive light upholstery weight c A vibrant and expressive light upholstery weight cotton from Greeff Fabrics' 1970s era "Mandarin Tree Collection," this piece, "Pahari Bazaar" references East Indian marketplace culture from the middle ages or after. No. 59330-32 in the Greeff archive. $229 w/ free shipping in the US. Find it and other rare #vintagefabric in our #etsyshop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio).

.
.
.
.
#greefffabrics #indianmarketplace #pahari #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #etsy #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #etsysuccess #reupholstered #reupholstery #reupholster
Make something awesome from My Top Three Favorite Make something awesome from My Top Three Favorite Vintage Fabric Samples. Find them in my #etsyshop Lady Virginia Vintage. 

#fabric #vintagefabric #etsyupchallenge #fabricobsession #fabriclovers @rsamfisher
A truly lovely vintage Indienne style fabric based A truly lovely vintage Indienne style fabric based on historic examples. Produced in the 1970s, possibly during the Colonial revival of the Bicentennial era.

Designed by Faye Burgos for Marcus Brothers Textiles, Inc., this piece is an UNGLAZED cotton chintz in a weight suitable for quilting. Can be used for totes or pillows, too, but would benefit in either case from some interfacing and lining. Nice weight for a small set of café curtains, a Roman shade, or lampshade. Very grandmillennial/granny chic.

Absolutely stunning colors and bold design with rich detail. The background off-white has a scalloped design of tiny dots and flowers on which the larger floral design sits; this contrasts with the mango-colored vertical stripes and their complimentary red and blue floral designs. Classic!

$49/yard with 2 continuous yards available. Free shipping in the US. Find it in our #etsyshop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics. Link in bio. 

.
.
.
.
#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #indienne #18thcentury  #marcusbrothersfabric #etsy #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #etsysuccess #floralfabric #floralfabrics #fayeburgos #1970sfabric #reproductionfabrics
Made in 1988, this Greeff Fabrics piece featuring Made in 1988, this Greeff Fabrics piece featuring Joseph Pickett-like primitive Colonial American era homes, farms, and trees, is currently fashioned into a rod-pocket curtain sized for a small window. If you deconstruct it you'll gain about 1" at the top and bottom each, and 1" on one side (the other side has the selvage with printed fabric information and date).

Simple Salt Box, Georgian, and Federal-era homes dot an idyllic rural landscape of ponds, rolling hills, and soaring graceful trees, some seeming to be palmettos suggesting the landscape is South Carolina. Joseph Pickett worked primarily in Pennsylvania, but this hokmage-like piece clearly makes nods to his style.

Lovely little addition to a rustic, primitive, 18th century, or colonial-era decorated home. Could be used as sewn as a tiny curtain, or small fabric flourish on a bathroom sink bottom or furniture piece, or deconstruct and upcycle into pillow fronts, small totes, quilting pieces, appliqué, mixed media fiber arts, or other projects.

25” w x 33” long w/ hemming on all sides. Can be deconstructed for other purposes. $89 w/ free shipping in the US. Link in bio. 

.
.
.
#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #vintagecurtain #colonialwilliamsburg #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #etsysuccess #colonial #colonialamerica #rustic #primitivedecor #primitives #josephpickett #grandmamoses #saltboxhouse #18thcentury #quilting #quiltfabric
Last few hours of our Mother’s Day Sale. Find yo Last few hours of our Mother’s Day Sale. Find your dream #vintagefabric at 10-25% off w/ free shipping in the US over $35 through midnight tonight. Visit us at Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics on Etsy (link in bio). 

.
.
.
.
#mothersdaysale #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #mothersday #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #etsysuccess #reupholstered #reupholstery #reupholster #floralfabric #floralfabrics #flowersofinstagram
More charming than words can say! What a find! "En More charming than words can say! What a find! "English Meadow," 1974, from Greeff's The Woods and Meadows Collection of the 1970s.

The piece features a riot of madow flower including poppies, asters, candytuft, and day lilies amidst spiking and lilting foliage. A perfect fabric for meadow lovers and naturalists — use to decorate a cabin or nature retreat, throwback AirBnB or VW Bus. Make pillow fronts, café curtains, totes, and more! So gorpcore!

Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). On sale for 25% off through Mother’s Day. Two yards left. 

.
#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #cottagecore #gorpcore #grannychic #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #etsysuccess #reupholstered #reupholstery #reupholster #floralfabric #floralfabrics #flowersofinstagram #mothersday #mothersdaysale
Fixing up a chair? Even a scrap can do wonders to Fixing up a chair? Even a scrap can do wonders to bring a chair back to life. This #scalamandre #chinoiserie made my chair soar! 

Find your dream vintage fabric in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). Pre Mothers Day Sale 10-25% off through May 14 with free shipping in the US over $35.

.
.
.
#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #brunschwigandfils #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #etsysuccess #reupholstered #reupholstery #reupholster #chinoiseriechicpassion #chinoiseriechic #chairwhimsy
Cock-a-doodle-do! The rooster crows awake the new Cock-a-doodle-do! The rooster crows awake the new day in this charming 1940s quilting or garment weight fabric. In a graphic black and white colorway, roosters gather near a well or coop in a fanciful environment of rock outcroppings, flowers, twisting trees, and a swirling sky.

12”, yard, or yard + 12” available and on sale through Mothers Day. Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

.
.
.
.
#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #rooster #vintagerooster #quiltfabric #quiltingfabric #quiltingfabrics #mothersday #mothersdaysale
Our latest #vintagefabric #blogpost features YOUR Our latest #vintagefabric #blogpost features YOUR stories and projects. I love what my customers make and do — check  out some of their projects and get inspired for your own. Read it here: ladyvirginiavintage.com/blog

.
.
.
#fabricblogger #fabricblog #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #etsy #etsyshop #etsysellersofinstagram #reupholstery #diy #makers #vintagesewing
Just listed: Fresh and bold, this 1990s graphic bl Just listed: Fresh and bold, this 1990s graphic black and white floral print has a blockprint look (the selvage doesn't say if it was hand or screen printed, but the negative-positive space in the floral design lends itself to a block print style). Statement making!

Three large size scraps available with enough in each for pillow/tote fronts etc. or use for appliqué, slow sewing, framing, etc.

Find them@in our #etsyshop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

.
.
.
.
#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grannychic #shabbychic #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #etsysellersofinstagram #etsysuccess #blockprints #blockprinted #blockprintfabric #floralfabric #floralfabrics #flowersofinstagram #blackandwhite #mothersday #seamstressgift
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 Lady Virginia Vintage · 11 E. Beverley Street · 3rd floor, Suite 21 · Staunton, VA 24401 · Contact Us Online