Wool Quilt. Ca. 1800. Eight pointed star design within a diagonal square with overall scrolling vine and leaf quilting.A great example of intentional design and the repurposement of pieced scraps of wool.
There is a great deal to be said about quilts. I suppose I could mention that the quilting of materials started in the 13th century...I mean who wouldn't want to warm and comfy under their armor?
This quilt was probably a group effort- possibly starting from the creation of the fabric itself. Martha Ballard, who kept a journal in the 18th century in the area that would later become Augusta, Maine, mentions joining with other woman in her area to prepare, dye, piece and quilt...at different times of the year- but you get the idea...it was a group effort.
This example has cut corners meaning that instead of being a large square the original design is notched on the bottom left and right to allow the bed cover to fit neatly around bedposts. It is edged in red woven tape (the tape being created on a specially designed loom- which is another blog entry all by itself). In addition to the cut corners, which covers a full size bed very nicely, the backing is a coarse homespun fabric with a wheat tone coloring. There are places where it has tiny tears and some splits on the darker pieces making up the stars...but actually it is in remarkable condition for something made in the beginning of the 19th century... and it can be yours!!! For a mere $1950.00
