DECEMBER 21, 2015
The Willow Tree Quilt (Tree of Life), maker unknown, c. late 18th, early 19th century, cotton, 84″ x 86″. Collection of Bill Volckening.
Bill Volckening describes this quilt “as a monumental example of early American Whitework. … It is all white, stuffed work, and includes a centre medallion with a large weeping willow tree. The tree is framed with laurel, surrounded by flowers and grapes, with a border that resembles the architectural detail of a cornice. ” Bill wrote a wonderfully detailed article about the symbolic significance of the willow tree on the Why Quilts Matter blog. And less than a year after purchasing this quilt, he found it’s twin. You can read more about it on his blog.
What I love about this quilt is the loose composition of the outer border and the whimsical nature of the flowers in it. The denser design at the bottom weights the quilt visually and balances the slightly heavier area of grapes and leaves in the upper left area above the tree. The design and execution of the tree and placement of branches truly gives it visual depth and a lifelike quality. As Bill said, a monumental example! And those dots in the outer border … sigh! (It is true. I have a fondness for dots!)
DECEMBER 20, 2015
Tree of Life, Made by mother of Miss Sally Bohannon, Greenville, Tennessee, c. 1850-1875, cotton, 90 ½” x 76”. From Tennessee State Library and Archives, Quilts of Tennessee. Published in The Quilt Index.
The sashing and borders on this quilt are so lively. Double rows of Wild Goose Chase form the inner sashing and two shorter borders. The two longer borders are triple rows of Wild Goose Chase where the colour choices and placement produce a shaded effect. This gives an entirely different look to these two borders and generates a remarkable feeling of calm for this otherwise busy design. A very effective treatment.
All of the blocks have the same arrangement of elements and gesturing of branches and leaves , with the exception of the upper right block. This block is definitely part of the quilt’s charm, but also makes me wonder what the story is behind it!
DECEMBER 19, 2015
Where do I begin? Those tulips steal my heart!
This a masterful composition with bold trunk and branches balanced by delicate leaves and berries. It remains a striking quilt, despite the fading of what was likely a fugitive green fabric.
Embroidered stems attach the berries to the branches. Square grid pattern on point for the quilting was used, which changes to simple diagonal quilting through the trunk and branches. And an eight line quilted cable anchors the design at the bottom. Oh and did I mention those tulips?
Sigh! I think she had fun making it!
Oh man those … tulips!!!
DECEMBER 18, 2015
Tree of Knowledge, maker unknown, c. 1860, cotton. Source: Plain and Fancy: County Quilts of the Pennsylvania-Germans, Anita Schorsch.
A bounty of fruit and trees make up this vibrant example. “Cherry Trees” set as a four block are common to find, but this six block set is more unusual. I love how the trees still feel light and delicate even ladened with fruit. I think, personally, the naive leaves and buds on the undulating vine in the border are swoon worthy. And look, she put stars in the “sky”!
A wee update about yesterday’s quilt (Branches and Vine Quilt). After a question from one of my readers and some work with my magnifying glass, it would appear that the three small animals that are positioned just under the main/central vine are indeed appliqued. Bless her tenacious soul!
DECEMBER 17, 2015
Branches and Vine Quilt, made by Ernestine Eberhardt Zaumseil (American), Pekin, Illinois, c. 1865
Cotton ground appliqued with cotton, silk and wool; 88 × 86 in. (223.5 × 218.4 cm)
Collection The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of George E. Schoellkopf, 2013 (2013.958)
Based on the Tree of Life pattern this is an exuberant example of creativity. It is thought that she traced actual leaves and vines for her designs. The variety of leaves and shades of green add greatly to the success of this quilt.
I love the details of the wee berries and small horses in the lower third of the design. The curlicue tendrils not the central grapevine make my heart skip a beat! In the upper left corner she added a tiny bit of leaf detail in the middle of the loop … adorable!
