When I was doing a little research on Florence Peto, I came across a quilt in a book published by the Shelburne Museum, Art of the Needle, and realized I had some “doilies” with a similar look.
The explanation from the book on page 100, described the technique: “The blue-gray color was sprayed over flowers, fern leafs, and bird stencils to look like early 19th-century photographic images produced on sensitized paper.”
This is the complete quilt, 89″ x 89″, late 19th century, pieced, painted, and quilted cotton.
The interesting thing about these pieces is that you can see the way the pieces were sprayed when you look at the edges. I think the fabric is a polished cotton and most of the images are of fern leaves. When I study the delight and imagery of these pieces, I immediately am drawn to here. I imagine the person making these images saying well…what if…and this is how remarkable pieces are created over time.
Thank you for your supportive and great responses to my post “Unfolding”. It will be a great way to begin a new year for me and my daughter. Collaboration is energizing and exciting. It will be fun to see how our mutual loves and dreams become an entity not yet defined…a longing of the best kind.
the spray stipple is intriguing. so softening.
Oh Phyllis… thank you. I really do hope someday we will sit down and have a mocha together.
I just love these! And of course the minute I saw them I was thinking what did they use to spray with? I wonder if this would work with bleach water? I’ll give it a try this weekend. So many things to explore in this world!
That is wonderful. I think that I would have puzzeled as well. They are charming and ageless.
very interesting and unusual. thanks for the sharing. new to me….
Really interesting and very beautiful.
The doilies are wonderful. Completely unique. Imagine that woman who was what-iffing long ago, all alone, no blogging friends to carry her along, and yet she persisted and here is beautiful proof of her journey. Is the fabric really soft, or is there a stiffness where the paint was sprayed? Just curious. Love, JM
There seems to be a slight stiffness to it, but not that it would be bothersome if it were to be used in a quilt. I think the chintz quality to the fabric is like that anyway.
Beautiful and educational. I really do love reading these entries, it’s so nice to see the before and learn the history of those who came before us.
Just by looking at the photos I would not have even imagined that the cloth was sprayed with “paint/dye”.
Intriguing for sure.
Such beautiful images, on the quilt, and wonderfully, on your little doilies! I was reminded of a beautiful scrapbook I saw as a child that my mother made when she was a child of dried ferns, flowers and grasses. Sadly, since her passing, I have no idea what happened to the book. Many thanks for reminding me of such a precious, precious memory. Lois xxx