“Irish Chain” Quilt, Maker Unknown, c. 1850-1875, 79″ x 79″, The National Museum of American History.

To know me is to know I have a particular fondness for tulips (there is a chance that there might be another tulip example later on!).  

The quilter of this masterpiece deftly worked balance and scale with complexity and simplicity, as they integrated the tulip motifs into this design.  The sweet buds work to add counterweight to the outer border (which is divine by the way).  Her perfect resolution of the corners of all the borders is a testament to her patience and skill.  Those squares on point sitting beside the inner border between the tulips add an elegant addition to the composition.  And oh … the colour combination with that hint of cheddar, sigh … one more quilt for the “quilts I would love to make” list.

What elements about this quilt make your heart sing?