Anatomy of a Quilt

Anatomy of a Quilt takes a close look at the history, material, deterioration, and conservation of the 1884 Showers Quilt. Sewn in the aftermath of the catastrophic Showers Bros. factory fire as a fundraising effort, the quilt tells a story of community resilience. Using the popular Building Blocks pattern, the quilt is both a who’s who of 1880s Bloomington society and a gallery of calico from the period. Join us as we explore the history and future of those fabrics—how were they made, where did they come from, what causes some blocks to deteriorate and others to endure, and what methods can we use to preserve this quilt for generations to come?