Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

A labor of love, Elizabeth’s Medallion Quilt signifies the critical work that Elizabeth completed for Mrs. Lincoln, in addition to representing Elizabeth’s significant, valuable skills. Made from the scraps of Mrs. Lincoln’s dresses, the quilt represents how Elizabeth and Mrs. Lincoln are historically stitched together. Elizabeth shows her quilt to her students at Wilberforce University, who “marveled at her quilt, and they sympathized when she expressed her regret that she had been unable to give it to Mrs. Lincoln as she had intended” (337). While Elizabeth’s talent is evident in crafting the medallion quilt, the scraps of fabric sewn together wouldn’t be half as valuable or exciting if not for Mrs. Lincoln. Although her position as an upper-class lady often complicates her friendships, Elizabeth benefits from Mrs. Lincoln being in her elevated position. The collection of fabrics symbolizes Mrs. Lincoln’s, perhaps excessive, appreciation for finery. Elizabeth kept the fabric scraps, transforming them into a valuable item representing her industriousness.

The fact that Elizabeth could never give Mrs. Lincoln the completed quilt represents the tragic lost love between friends. Packing the quilt away in a trunk, Elizabeth believes Mrs. Lincoln chooses to leave for an indefinite European tour to “fleeing grief and unhappy memories—one of which, Elizabeth could only assume, was the ruin of their friendship” (328).