Susan McCord
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October 7, 1829
- Artist
- quilter
Susan McCord | |
|---|---|
 Green & Susan McCord, 1885 | |
| Born | Susan Noakes October 7, 1829 |
| Died | 12 December 1909 (aged 80) |
| Known for |
|
| Notable work | Vine quilt, circa 1885 |
Susan McCord (October 7, 1829 – December 12, 1909) was an American quilter. She is best known for her innovative designs and exquisite craftsmanship. Thirteen of McCord's quilts are included in the permanent collection of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
Early life
Susan Noakes was born on October 7, 1829, in Decatur County, Indiana to Amos and Mahala Noakes.[1] In 1849, at the age of twenty, Noakes married schoolteacher, Green McCord in Hancock County, Indiana. In 1853, the McCord family moved to Iowa where they farmed for four years. In 1857, the family returned to Indiana and rented a farm near McCordsville, a town founded by Green McCord's family. They cleared twenty of the farm's eighty acres and built a small log cabin for their growing family.[1]
Like other nineteenth century farmwives, McCord was responsible for the care, feeding, and clothing of her large family of nine as well as domestic chores. She managed the dairy, poultry and vegetable garden. McCord was also an avid flower gardener and participated in community gatherings and sewing bees. She hand sewed and knitted clothing and accessories for her family, embroidered linen and bedcovers, and created at least thirteen quilts during her lifetime.[2]
Quilting
McCord created her quilts with left-over material that she had on hand, including pieces of her family's worn-out clothing. The fabrics she most often used were roller-printed cotton calicos, wool flannel and dress velvets. For the backing of her quilts, McCord often pieced together small scraps of muslin.[3] McCord found inspiration for her quilt designs from the world around her. Quilt historian Barbara Brackman writes, "McCord was an artist. She saw everyday things in the way that other's didn't, drawing inspiration from her flower garden, the dishes in her china cabinet, the leaves on the trees in the farmyard."[4]
McCord produced all of her quilts between 1860 and 1900. She was an imaginative quilt maker. She based each of her quilts on traditional patterns, but interpreted the patterns in her own unique way. She often crafted her quilts with original details and techniques that were new to quilt making. Her color choices, attention to detail, and unique interpretation of traditional designs made her work exceptional.[3][5] McCord was also a needleworker. She used thousands of tiny, even stitches in her work, typically 10 stitches to the inch.[6]
Later life and death
In December, 1909, at the age of 80, McCord contracted pneumonia after being kicked by a cow she had been milking; she lay on the frozen ground for hours before being discovered. She died December 12, 1909.[2] McCord and her husband are buried in the Oaklandon Cemetery in Marion County, Indiana. McCord's quilts were passed down to members of her family.[1]
