People have always depended on furs, fibers, and fabrics for protection and warmth, but these materials also served as a way to enrich their environment. Until the rail lines opened up routes to the South Carolina backcountry in the middle of the nineteenth century, residents had little access to imported goods. In the mountains and foothills, Scots-Irish immigrants brought a strong tradition of flax harvesting and linen production. In other parts of the rural south, plantations provided another source of homespun textiles. Textiles, especially quilts, can serve several functions. Quilts carry powerful emotional significance and many were made to show off fine fabrics and fancy needlework; others were composed of scraps and remnants. Whether using imported fabrics, domestically produced fibers, or material scraps from the family farm, quilts are intimately connected to the maker’s social and economic environment.

Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.

For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

Nellie Mursier
Episode 3

Audio

Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her quilts, so...
Finding a Place to Live | Digital Traditions
Episode 3

Audio

Beachy-Amish Mennonites who live in Cold Springs, S.C. (Abbeville County). Sadie is an accomplished quilter. Why they left Virginia Beach after they felt it was becoming overdeveloped and the...
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Episode 3

Audio

Resident of Parksville, SC (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...
Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart
Episode 4

Audio

Ruby and Estelle discuss Ruby's husband's Dresden Plate quilt and how beautiful this method of trimming a quilt is.
Nellie Mursier
Episode 4

Audio

Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her quilts, so...
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Episode 4

Audio

Resident of Parksville, SC (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...
Nellie Mursier Photos | Digital Traditions
Nellie Mursier Photos | Digital Traditions
Episode 5

Photo

Quilter Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her...