A flowering of quilts: garden patterns and floral motifs in nineteenth century Southern quilts

The purpose of this thesis is to attempt to answer the question of why a relationship exists between nineteenth century southern gardens and quilts. The research focuses on how the popularity of gardens and gardening among southern women in the nineteenth century, technological advancements in the textile and sewing industries, and the changing social attitudes towards in the nineteenth century united to promote creation of floral quilts during the nineteenth century. It is hoped that this research will prove helpful to those interested in both the history of gardening and quilting and will inspire these same people to preserve quilts, an American art form that tells us so much about our cultural history.