I love this piece because it gave me an opportunity to learn! Thank you! Lelane writes:
Gender equality is one of the Shaker tenets but Shakers usually kept their actions within their communities.
Catherine Allen (1852-1922) was more active in both peace causes and equal suffrage outside her community at Mount Lebanon , New York. As a child she was sent to board with the North Family at Mount Lebanon in 1865. She stayed with the community and in 1908 she became an Eldress of the Central Ministry.
As a Shaker leader she was an active women's suffrage proponent. She spoke at conferences and led petitions urging women's suffrage.
The production of Shaker "Dorothy" cloaks became a profitable business venture from 1890 to the 1930s. Mrs. Grover Cleveland wore one to President Cleveland's second inauguration in 1893. The cloaks were wool lined in satin with a satin ribbon at the neck.
I chose to quilt a cloak as a representation of a Shaker I admire.
I loved the background fabric and asked Lelane about it. She said that she a quilt study group had dated the fabric in the 1940s or 50s and the fabric was quite heavy (perhaps decorative fabric). It's a wonderful piece! Well done Lelane
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