Holiday quilt #2 is a c. 1850 floral applique. Red and green was a popular color scheme at that time and many 'best' quilts from that period have survived. Their graphic beauty, originality and fine workmanship make them a favorite of collectors today.
Many seem to have been made for special occasions. I wonder if the hearts in this nine-block quilt indicate that it was a bride's quilt.
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| 82" x 92" |
Also, in this view you see an unfortunate problem. Sometime in the last 150 years the bottom border was damaged. I wonder what happened? Could it have been tucked into the bottom of a bed with wooden foot-board and the wood stained it? I'd love to hear your ideas on the possibilities though I know it's hard to tell from a photo.
Here's a closer look at the damage..... sniff sniff
When I bought it I thought I might be able to 'fix' it but now I think it would be a huge task and probably not turn out very well.
Back to its allure....The little shapes that look like kites on the floral vine border are unusual, don't you think? The embroidery thread attaching it to the vine is blue now - was it once green?
The quilting includes triple rod straight lines and diagonal crosshatching - both done right through the motif .
Even a quilt with 'problems' can be appreciated as is. I put it on the bed with the damaged side toward the wall and no one is the wiser!
I like to study old quilts and incorporate things I notice in my own work. Here's a wall size quilt I made a few years ago on which I quilted through the applique motifs. The inspiration for this wall piece was a bed quilt in the collection of Anita Shakelford. I'll share more about this project in a future post.
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| 42" square |
I wish you all a wonderful holiday!
May you be warmed by the love of your friends and family...
and by a cherished quilt!
May you be warmed by the love of your friends and family...
and by a cherished quilt!
