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Wilkinson Quilt Company
| Name: | Wilkinson Quilt Company |
|---|---|
| Dates: |
1908 (Life/Active Dates)
1943 (Life/Active Dates)
|
| Biography/History: | Wilkinson Quilt Company, Ligonier, Indiana. Sisters Iona Wilkinson Smalley (1876-1949) and Rosalie Wilkinson Dickinson (1892-1976) began selling quilts in 1908. The business began as a "cottage industry" in their home, but moved into a "quilt factory" in 1914. The Wilkinson sisters sold hand made quilts, comforters, and couch throws through the mail, targeting affluent customers through exhibits in large cities and in hotels with wealthy clientele. The Wilkinson sisters "had an excellent reputation for quality." All the employees were apparently women. The company apparently never offered quilt kits. The business closed in 1943, during World War II, when there was a reduced demand for luxury items, a lack of ability to obtain quality fabrics, and other job opportunities for women. |