A rare petticoat quilt held in the collection at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln's International Quilt Study Center and Museum provides a wealth of material information about American quilted petticoats and the documentation of American social history. Through an object-based analysis of this artifact, this research paints a picture of one particular family's history extending from the late colonial period through the early 20th century, and demonstrates important material and social findings made possible through material culture research.