Know as “Chicago’s Quilting Queen,” Bertha Stenge was an award winning quilter. After attending
the San Francisco School of Art, she had her own art studio. While recovering from an illness in
1929, she made her first quilt, which won a prize. She entered many quilt exhibitions, including the
Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. Her quilt, “The Palm Leaf,” won awards at the Women’s Pageant of
Progress in 1936 and the 1940 World’s Fair. She designed most of her own patterns, which were
published in the Ladies’ Home Journal.
One of the first quilters to have a one-woman exhibit, Bertha Stenge exhibited her work in 1941 at
the Art Gallery of the University of California in Berkeley. The Art Institute of Chicago presented her
second one-woman show in 1943. In 1954, the Women’s International Exposition of Arts and
Industries in New York featured her quilts. Most recently, her work was shown at the Illinois State
Museum, which has acquired seven of her quilts. This exhibit toured the state for a year. Her quilts,
“The Quilt Show” and “The Quilting Party,” were included in the 20th Century’s 100 Best American
Quilts exhibit and catalogue. Bertha Stenge and Honoree Florence Peto became friends, promoting
and encouraging each other’s work in exhibits and in publications.
the San Francisco School of Art, she had her own art studio. While recovering from an illness in
1929, she made her first quilt, which won a prize. She entered many quilt exhibitions, including the
Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. Her quilt, “The Palm Leaf,” won awards at the Women’s Pageant of
Progress in 1936 and the 1940 World’s Fair. She designed most of her own patterns, which were
published in the Ladies’ Home Journal.
One of the first quilters to have a one-woman exhibit, Bertha Stenge exhibited her work in 1941 at
the Art Gallery of the University of California in Berkeley. The Art Institute of Chicago presented her
second one-woman show in 1943. In 1954, the Women’s International Exposition of Arts and
Industries in New York featured her quilts. Most recently, her work was shown at the Illinois State
Museum, which has acquired seven of her quilts. This exhibit toured the state for a year. Her quilts,
“The Quilt Show” and “The Quilting Party,” were included in the 20th Century’s 100 Best American
Quilts exhibit and catalogue. Bertha Stenge and Honoree Florence Peto became friends, promoting
and encouraging each other’s work in exhibits and in publications.
| Bertha Stenge (1891-1957) |
Known as the “Chicago Quilting Queen,” award
winning quilter. Inducted in 1980 at the
Continental Quilting Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Merikay Waldvogel
winning quilter. Inducted in 1980 at the
Continental Quilting Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Merikay Waldvogel