Materials from Patchwork Quilt

Art Historical Context

**Materials from Patchwork Quilt *by Katherine Hastings, c.1936* Step into the colorful world of American folk art with Katherine Hastings' *Materials from Patchwork Quilt (c. 1936), a captivating watercolor, gouache, graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 35.6 x 28 cm. This intimate study meticulously documents the diverse fabrics—prints, solids, and textures—that form the heart of traditional patchwork quilts, showcasing their vibrant patterns and subtle nuances through Hastings' skilled layering of translucent watercolors and opaque gouache for depth and realism. Created as part of the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking Works Progress Administration (WPA) project from 1935–1942, this work reflects the era's commitment to celebrating everyday American craftsmanship amid the Great Depression. The Index employed artists like Hastings to produce accurate, artistic records of folk objects, preserving cultural heritage for future generations. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, it highlights how quilts symbolized thrift, creativity, and community, often pieced by women from salvaged materials. Hastings' precise graphite underdrawing combined with vivid media not only captures the tactile allure of these textiles but also elevates humble domestic arts to national treasures, reminding us of America's democratic design legacy. (198 words)

About the Artist

Katherine Hastings · 1855–present

Katherine Hastings was an American artist active during the 1930s, best known for her contributions to the Index of American Design, a New Deal-era project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create precise watercolor renderings of everyday folk and decorative objects, preserving a visual record of the nation's m...