This quilt was inspired by the many young women who worked in textile mills in Massachusetts in the 1830s and 1840s. Most of the women were from farms, and were between the ages of 15 and 25. They often worked 14 hours per day in the summer. A woman might earn $12-$14 monthly. Even after paying $5 for lodging and meals, she could pocket more money than she could have earned on the farm, or as a teacher, or in domestic service. Such financial independence had never been available before.

Machine-quilted on a long-arm machine by Charlotte Williams, of Lebanon, Ohio. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to see details of her beautiful work. The back is so gorgeous, it's like having two quilts in one.