Crazy quilt portrays wildlife elaborately embroidered, one in each block. Has 18, 14"-sq. blocks on point, including 10 half-blocks and 4 corner blocks. Sashing and outside border of gray wool, with blue feather-stitched edging and 4-petal flower at each intersection. Crazy patches of multiple fabrics: cotton, wool, corduroy, synthetics, velvet, ribbons, etc.
Birds, animals, butterflies, flowers and a car are all worked in embroidery floss and pearl cotton. Backing is a plaid wool flannel. Quilt is hand knotted with yellow cotton thread.
Stitched onto lower corner of reverse is a cotton patch with stamped inscription: "Sinnemahoning Scenery" by Bernadette Schlemm, with address and phone #.
Bernadette Schlemm (16 July 1935 - 29 April 1994).
Provenance
Gift of the estate of husband Clayton LaMont Schlemm who moved to Alabama after his wife's death from cancer.
According to Jerry Schlemm, brother-in-law of maker, Bernadette Schlemm made many quilts over the years while living in Sinnemahoning, Cameron Co. All sold off except this one. This quilt received many awards at regional shows, including "Best of Show" at 74th Pennsylvania State Farm Show in 1990.
