Twelve Quilts of Christmas 2020 – #2

 

Condition, condition, condition.  The watch words of collecting antique quilts.  I am so glad this embroidered and hand appliqued piece was not overlooked because of some “age kisses” (aka staining).

 

Oh, how this quilt sings!  The embroidered centre area of interest is sweet, enthusiastic and delicate and in direct contrast to the bold zig zag first border. The first or zig zag border is created by appliquéing the half-square triangles in place to create this wonderful secondary shape. The placement of those triangles is not precise.  The upper right blue and taupe stripe triangles are placed in what would conventionally today been seen as the “correct” position to form what could be argued as the most pleasing arrangement of all of them in that corner. The other three corners are definitely more “liberated,” and I would argue say that rather than being “wrong”, that the they are delightfully charming.  Thought went into placement of the colours of these triangle elements to stunning success.  The madder triangles (the burnt orangish-red colour) are unexpected but oh so good!  They are the “shocker” in this quilt and take the whole composition from sweet to intriguing. The madder colour also speaks to the darker coloured bits in the embroidery and in the final outer border. I can imagine she was making do with the size of scraps she had on hand in making these half square triangles.  Don’t you love the two striped triangles in the middle on the sides? They visually balance out the madder triangles on the top and bottom.  And look at the placement of the direction of the stripes in all of them.  Yes, anything goes!  

 

The hexagon florets sprinkled through this first border emphasize the zig zag movement of this border and yet at the same time soften the boldness of it, sending the eye dancing around the quilt.  Intention is present in the placement of fabrics in the hexagons.  Notice how when she didn’t have a pair to sit opposite one another, she substituted!  

 

And finally, two bold wide borders … you just know I am loving this part of the quilt!  The cornerstones fall short, and again I image that was because she was using fabric she had on hand.  Does it really matter that they fall short?  Is the design compromised because of this?  Makes you question all the rules we have let into our heads doesn’t it?  Could you put cornerstones that “fall short” into your quilt?

 

I would love to hear your thoughts.