Twelve Quilts of Christmas 2016 – #5

 

While technically not a quilt (it is lacking a layer of batting and only the border is lined), this fabulous example of borderie perse just had to make it into the line up of quilts this year.  Borderie perse was a technique popular at the end of the 18th century and into the early part of the 19th century.  Different floral motifs were cut from roller printed chintz, carefully arranged to create new designs and either appliquéd with a needleturn technique or with a fine buttonhole stitch around the motifs to a ground fabric.  And there are many examples where borderie perse has been used as part of or as the whole design on quilts.

 

Both yesterday’s quilt, and today’s, are very large works, and this one was likely worked on one large piece of ground fabric, so you can imagine the effort it took to handle the piece as she was working. Ashcan Goodwin was the daughter of a wealthy Baltimore merchant.  The museum has wonderful provenance on this quilt including notes on Achsah written by her daughter:

“My mother [Achsah] was a very superior woman, possessing strong sense, sound judgment, great dignity, remarkably self-possessed . . . . She suffered from cutaneous disease . . . most frequently [she] beguiled her weary hours of sickness by designing and laying out fancy spreads in which she displayed beautiful taste.”

 

A wonderful large flower motif is created through the placement of elements to form floral garlands that in turn surround a central motif.  The overall design is a testament to her exquisite taste and sense of aesthetic.  The delicate little bouquets that are set at the inner intersection of each of the “petals” add just the necessary touch to elevate the sophistication of her design.  Take them away and you miss them.  That’s the sign that they are needed!