Stars and Stripes American Civil War Quilt, c. 1861

Kansas

Quilted red, white, and blue cotton
66 ¾ x 86 ¾ in.

The pattern for this quilt was featured in Peterson’s Magazine in July 1861, a mere three months after the onset of the American Civil War on April 12, 1861. Its publication was meant to inspire female readers to promote their Union sympathies through the art of quiltmaking. The textile showcases thirty-four white stars meticulously appliquéd onto a blue central field, mirroring the same star count on the border. This symbolic arrangement signifies the number of states in the Union from July 4, 1861, to July 4, 1863. Quilts served as essential bedding for soldiers, providing warmth amid challenging conditions, and they were regularly sold at county fairs to generate much-needed funds for the war effort.