The blocks I've been making are from an adaptation of the
"Bird of Paradise" quilt top (c.1858-1863) in the American Folk Art
Museum. I'm using a pattern by Austrailian, Corliss Searcey who drafted the
pattern after seeing a poster of the original quilt. Her pattern is called
"Civil War Bride Quilt and is available at www.threadbear.com.au
"A Bountiful Life" is another pattern source, a
book written by Karen Mowery.
The original quilt has inspired many to make their own
versions of this unique quilt. The unknown maker lived near Poughkeepsie, NY.
"Made during the
Civil War period, it is thought to be an unfinished marriage or wedding quilt.
This idea is supported by the appliqued blocks that feature pairs of birds and
animals and other symbols of union and fertility such as birds tending nests of
eggs, flowers and fruits. A single female figure is appliqued onto one block,
but the square next to her is nearly empty, save for the decorative leaves and
flowers. Newspaper templates, including a template of a male figure, were found
with this quilt top, suggesting that perhaps the reason the quilt was never
finished, and the marriage it was intended to celebrate never took place. The
quilt top also features depictions of famous nineteenth-century racehorses and
of an elephant named Hanible, who had travelled throughout New York state
during this time period with his trainer." (quote taken from the
American Folk Art Museum website).
I am taking more and more liberties with each block I make. I
have been sharing these at our monthly meetings over the past year, but thought
I'd share the pattern source and my latest block with you here on-line.
Throughout my quilt I have relied on hand-dyed fabric from Vicki Welsh to add a touch
of brightness to the reproduction fabrics. The fabrics in the peacock are a
good example of how her fabrics have enhanced these blocks.
That's my show & tell - now show/tell us what you've been doing on these snowy days!
Love your block! And I think online show & tell is a great idea - I will be posting soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Peg - and will post something as well, though certainly not on the scale of this block. Becky, that is a simply spectacular applique!
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