Unfortunately, very little is known about Louisa, including why she was at boarding school and not home with her parents. Regardless of why she was there, it seems likely this quilt was a school requirement.

Redwork was a very popular needlework activity for both boys and girls during this era.  For boys, it was a way to keep busy during evening hours when there wasn’t much else to do or when convalescing from an illness.

For girls, however, redwork was considered an important skill-building activity and thus incorporated into school curriculum.

Completed at age 6, this quilt may have been Louisa’s first, as most girls were expected to complete their first quilt project between the age of 5 and 6.