This is the last quilt that bears any relation to a
reproduction one that I will be featuring on this blog for some time. I have
two almost identical mid-19th century ones in progress, one at the
top only stage and the other simply needing its edges sewn down. They are both
on hold, however, as I make a few modern ones due to the sudden outbreak
of weddings and babies in my life.
I love all my quilts equally but this one does hold a
special place in my heart. It is composed of sample, many of them small print,
100% cotton squares from the designer Judie Rothermel and her Schoolhouse Quilt
Shoppe, featuring both 19th century reproductions and “inspired by”
prints.
As with the Sarah Johnson/Copp Family quilt*, these squares
were out on the floor for a few weeks so I could not only study them for colour
and design but also pass them repeatedly, and subliminally take in the layout
and make changes. I never tire of closely examining them in the finished quilt,
and I love Judie Rothermel’s dark navy and gold borders and backing, too.
This quilt measures roughly 53” square, and each interior piece is a 1 ½”square. It was
entirely hand-pieced and hand-quilted, and is filled with Warm & Natural
cotton batting/wadding.
