Crazy Quilt, S. Tugaloo & Main Streets

#225 Crazy Quilt

Quilt Attributed to Brandt Family

The Brandt Crazy Quilt is a lovely example of a “crazy quilt” and was made as a wedding present for Henry William Brandt and Caroline “Carrie” Kuemmerer who married March 18, 1903 at Carrie’s family home west of Walhalla. Like other crazy quilts, the Brandt wedding quilt was constructed from small, randomly sized pieces of silk, taffeta, wool, and damask. It is likely that these were salvaged from clothing and other domestic sewing projects. Using these family fabrics in the quilt’s design added to the sentiment of the gift. On each piece the sewer has embroidered symbols, initials, names, leaves, or flowers to emphasize the wedding theme. Each family member or friend was responsible for completing a “square” that was then appliqued onto the foundation material to become the quilt top.

Many descendants of Conrad and Carrie Brandt live happily in the Walhalla area and are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Some continue to live on the original property purchased from the German Colonization Society.

This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjunction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of 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 #225

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