April Showers… bring May … um… May Baskets! If you are a quilter a basket is a shape you are drawn to (or at least most quilters I know are!). We usually love flower, be it in the garden or on our quilts and May is the time to start planting them everywhere! I wanted to talk about some antique quilts that inspire me… and why.
This piece has about the happiest baskets and flowers every! A nice simple shape, yes I know there is a LOT of flowers… but they are easy shapes! I like how the red ones pop around the swag… and speaking of swag, that edge details just makes this quilt. Have you done a scalloped border? They are showy!
This quilt is circa 1927 made by Laughlin, Sarah from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0737I love this quilt for a few reasons. It has a dark background and everything just sparkles on that navy ground. The basket is GIANT and filled with totally yummy flowers.
Now let’s look at the border… this is different. Grapes and grape leaves. They don’t seem to go with the flowers in the center… does that mean the maker just loved grapes? My friend Brenda does so I bet she would do that on her quilt.
This quilt is circa 1920-1940 from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0652This is an older quilt and very traditional. What appeals to me is how faded the colors are… but more interesting is that flower in each one – very primitive and fun. The on point setting is super and I really think the wide sashing is effective. It’s almost too wide but works!
This quilt is circa 1840-1860 from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0693This is my quilt called “Be Thankful.” One of my all time favorite basket quilts. I really would like to make it again in another color family… maybe with my newest fabric line!
~Pat Sloan
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