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Textiles
Primarily the realm of women, textiles demonstrate a wide range of folk art designs, from the stars, hearts and flowers of early pieces to the bold blending of colors in contemporary rag rugs.Quilts offer some of the most well known examples of folk art from all periods of life in the Shenandoah Valley. The Nine Block Quilt c1880s pictured above was made by Bettie Shirley of Shenandoah County, Virginia.
Like quilts, rag rugs and woven coverlets reflect not only the materials available, but also women's attempts to create beauty in everyday items. Rag rugs, both modern and old, are a part of the permanent exhibit at the Center. Also on display is a Woven Coverlet c1890's by Leannah Wyant Baugher from Rockingham County.
While quilts, coverlets and rugs were made primarily to use, other textiles were created to be artistic. Although an embroidered show towel might appear purely decorative, its production also taught a young woman the proper ways to stitch. On exhibit at the Center is an embroidered Sampler dated 1848 by an unknown artist in Rockingham County, Virginia.