Chimney Sweep, N.College & Main Streets

#226 Chimney Sweep

Quilt Attributed to the Carrie and Henry William Brandt Family.

Sponsor Walhalla City Council

This lovely, yet simple and functional hand-pieced and hand-quilted Chimney Sweep Quilt is attributed to the Carrie and Henry William Brandt Family. Both were descendants of the early settlers of Walhalla, with their families arriving here in the 1850’s.

It was likely pieced in the 1920’s. his quilt was made out of fabric on hand, from “worn out or outgrown” garments, as well as feed and flour sacks used on the Brandt farm and in the home. As a reflection of the times and the thrift and industry of its creators, smaller remnants were often pieced together in order to complete the appropriate-sized square to be cut out and joined.

This design is sometimes called a Signature Block or Album quilt, as it results in “blank squares” so that embroidered names, important dates, flowers, symbols, or other images can be added to mark important occasions. This quilt, however, was made strictly for use in the home for warmth and as a bed coverlet. Its warmth relies on thick cotton filler, likely grown and combed by its owners, held in place by hand stitching.

This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjuction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of the Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street. Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #226.