Pinecone Patchwork Quilt

Creator of the Pinecone Patchwork Quilt

Maggie Lowrie Locklear (1869 - Feb. 15, 1931), the eldest child of Henry and Rhoda Lowrie, embodied the spirit and strength of her renowned Lumbee family. Known for her intelligence, vibrant personality and an exceptional work ethic — described by many as “phenomenal” — Maggie stood as a remarkable example of resilience and creativity.

In the early 1900s, Maggie created what would become one of the most cherished cultural treasures of the Lumbee people: the Pinecone Patchwork quilt. This extraordinary work is composed of 30 individual “pinecone patches,” each formed through thousands of meticulous fabric folds — more than 30,000 in total. Working with the materials available to her, Maggie repurposed items from daily life: her husband’s worn work pants and shirts, her own dresses and aprons, and traditional North Carolina homespun fabric. She even added her own distinctive touch by rounding the quilt’s edges, a stylistic hallmark of North Carolina quilting.

The craftsmanship of the Pinecone Patchwork quilt is widely celebrated, with the National Quilt Museum recognizing the precision of Maggie’s hand as among the finest ever documented. During her lifetime, the quilt became known for its beauty and intricacy, drawing admiration from all who saw it — a legacy that has only grown stronger with time.

Though Maggie may not have foreseen the lasting impact of her creation, her quilt has become a powerful symbol of Lumbee heritage and artistic excellence. More than a century later, her work continues to inspire, educate and connect generations.

Today, we honor Maggie Lowrie Locklear not only for her extraordinary quilt but for the cultural legacy she stitched into every fold. Her art lives on, a timeless testament to Lumbee identity and the enduring power of creativity.