This baby quilt was made by my paternal grandmother for my brother who was born in 1946. I featured her in one of my earlier posts. She was the avid gardener and maker of beautiful hand work. This quilt has a loving family history. It hung over the crib of my brother, the cribs of my three children, and the crib of my first grandchild. It has always been a part of our lives, “The Noah’s Ark Quilt”. About ten years ago I saw this same quilt at the Houston International Quilt Show by a dealer selling vintage/antique quilts. My first thought was “She has MY quilt!” When I arrived home I did a little research and discovered that it had been a kit. Yes, I was a little disappointed, but I got over it. After all, my grandmother lived on a dairy farm with my grandpa managing the vegetable garden, the chickens, her flower garden, the house, and her three children. Perhaps all the quilts she made came from kits.
Detail of her applique and embroidery as well as the wear of this much loved quilt.
Closer view of the backing fabric. Was this part of the kit or did she purchase this separately? I do not know. However, what I have learned is that quilt kits were popular during the 20′s, 30′s, and 40′s. According to Stella Rubin from her book How to Compare and Value American Quilts, she says they were sold “in response to the Colonial Revival home-decorating movement of the 20th century”. I can envision my grandmother becoming inspired by a movement like this. Her mind was always searching for creative expression, and this would have been a satisfying outlet for her.
My guess is this piece is probably from the same time period. I think it would have made a nice backing for a crib quilt. Below is a detail….
I had a similar experience from my family. I had grown up with a painting in my Grandmother’s house that I had assumed was a painting of my uncle. My Grandmother had moved to Los Angeles after this time so I could not check my childhood memory.
I had assumed that all the art in my Grandmother’s house was original because there were so many artists in the family.
Anyway, I walked in to art class in high school and said to my friend what is that print doing there? That “print” was to same print that was in my Grandmother’s house. The print was a copy of Van Gogh’s “Man in a Yellow Hat”. It was a little time bending when it happened and I use it as a pivotal story to remind myself that life is truly plastic.
I now have a print of the “The Man in a Yellow Hat” below a pastel of my Uncle. It seems so appropriate to me.
And no, I did not know of the quilt kits. You are educating all of us. Thanks,
Pat,
What a great story! Now I know why you have such wonderful art on your blog. It is in your blood. How fortunate you are to have this in your genes. I think it is so appropriate that you hung the two together.
great quilt. yes, i know my grandmother made many kit quilts, i think it was just a common thing of the times. although she made more than one from the same templates and varied the fabric and then added some other details so in a way the kit was like the teacher and she learned to do her own thing over time.
Jude, I find it interesting that your grandmother used the kit as a tool for learning. She “invented” a way to utilize the medium in a way that became her own form of expression. I think you are right. It was more common to use these kits. The author of the book I referenced compared it to those paint-by-numbers artwork. I argue that the quilt kits demanded a bit more skill and challenge.
I love the fairy tale fabric on the back. I just looked at equilter.com to see what they had in the way of something similar, and the fabric they have looks the same. I think I’m going to order some!
Karen, I am not familiar with this website. I will have to check and see what you found that is similar.
This is beautiful and a great tribute to your grandmother. I love kits even now, they are just stitchery for the fun of it!
DebraAnn, I wish our grandmothers could realize the tribute they are receiving. It was well earned. I am not a big fan of kits, but then I finally resented following a dress pattern too, so I guess I don’t like being told I have to do something. That is probably leftover from childhood!
I smiled when I saw this post and the familiar image of that quilt. Remember the painting Wesley did for Gavin inspired by this piece? Clearly, it made an indelible impression on all of us. I love the history of it and the meaning it has continued to carry for each of us.
Linsey,
Glad you visited and made the comment. Actually when I was writing this, the painting flashed in my mind, and then I wondered what had become of the painting. The theme continues as well as the meaning. There is a lot of importance in honoring and holding on to these pieces.