QUILT HISTORY STORIES
WEST CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
LINCOLN QUILT – "WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE"
(2002)
Designed and Created
by
Sharon Malec – West Chicago, Illinois
In Sharon’s words....
The Inspiration
I was teaching a class on appliqued portraits and wanted to create a sample of a historical figure. Since I am from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln seemed like a perfect choice for this project. Wanting to do some background research on my subject, I purchased a book on American Presidents for reference. My research netted me dates, background information about Lincoln, his inaugural address, and a famous quote “With Malice Toward None,” which would eventually become the title for this piece.
The Process
The quilt is constructed using the free-standing applique technique which I have been teaching for the past 10 years. The flag covers the whole background and the applique of Lincoln was then positioned on it. The blocks on the side bar are called "Union" which seemed like an appropriate quilt pattern for a patriotic quilt which utilized Lincoln’s image. I also included the star pattern which worked well with the flag motif and rounds out this piece.
I made the quilt in 2002. It was going to be just a class sample, but then I saw a show listing about the one year anniversary of the Trade Center tragedy. I decided to enlarge the quilt, added Lincoln's entire second inaugural address – printing it on the back of the quilt, (it was written in 1865, but it was strangely contemporary) and entered it into the show. The quilt did not win any awards at that event, but I continued to use it in my lecture programs.
The Result
While teaching in California, the local guild was planning their show to be held at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in the community of Redlands. The theme was Civil War quilts and I agreed to loan my quilt to them to hang in their show in May 2005. At the end of the show, the Shrine purchased the quilt and “With Malice Toward None” became a permanent part of their collection.
Status of Quilt 2008
Lincoln Memorial Shrine
125 West Vine Street
Redlands, California 92373
(909) 798-7632
E-mail: archives@akspl.org
Web Site: www.lincolnshrine.org
(Permanent Collection)
Contact Information:
Sharon Malec
Malec Designs
3N312 Lakewood Drive
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 231-9403
Fax: (630) 562-0597
Web Site: www.malec-designs.com
E:Mail: Thefurherd@aol.com
