Leaf quilt top, Mary M. Stayman

Exhibition Label:
"Quilts: A Thread of Modernism," Aug-2005, Debra Thimmesch and Barbara Brackman
A line in the obituary of Dr. Joseph Stayman said that he was “born to horticulture,” and his daughter must have inherited a love of plants. She grew up in a home in Leavenworth surrounded by his experimental orchards and vineyards. She never married and supported herself with one of the few jobs open to women in her youth, that of a seamstress. She is listed in Leavenworth directories as a professional tailor. This delightful quilt of original design combines her sewing skills and the family fascination with botany.

She appliquéd 122 different leaves and wrote the name of each in pencil on the back. Some are native to Kansas but they include exotic examples like the “Malaccan Money Tree,” which she found illustrated in a Believe It or Not newspaper column. The piece has a finished edge but was never backed. She may have meant it to be a summer spread to cover the bed when heavy quilts were not needed.

Archive Label 2003:
Mary Stayman’s physician father devoted his career to horticulture. He must have transmitted his love of plants to his daughter. She appliquéd 122 different leaves onto this quilt top (it may have been intended for a summer quilt or spread rather than an “unfinished” quilt top) and carefully wrote the name of each species on the back. Some of the species are native to Kansas, but they include many exotic examples like the Malaccan Money Tree, which Stayman found illustrated in a “Believe It or Not” newspaper piece.