I'm putting the finishing stiches to the binding on Baskets, Berries and Leaves, so I thought I would pick up the stitching on Harriet Power's Pictorial quilt. I last worked on it in 2014 and it has been a goal of mine to reproduce such a remarkable quilt from 1898. This image of the entire quilt is courtesy of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
I'm using A Pattern Book from the Boston Museum.
The design is primitive and the applique is crude in some parts, but reflects Harriet's story of biblical incidents with local folktales. I have Mary Lyon's book, Stitching Stars which traces the life of Harriet Powers, a African American slave, folk artist and quilt maker from Georgia. Her book details a wonderful history of Harriet, her life and her only other story quilt, The Bible quilt.
A close-up of the third block that I'm working on.
The first two blocks that I finished back in 2014. I'm trying to reproduce the quilt in the same color and manner that it was originally stitched.
Oh my gosh! I can't imagine trying to reproduce this quilt (I wouldn't know where to even begin!) but I know it's going to turn out beautifully! Your first two blocks are amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely. Cant wait to see the progress
ReplyDeleteLovely. Cant wait to see the progress
ReplyDeleteAnother treasure Nancy! It's fantastic. Now I want to read about Harriet!
ReplyDeleteThat is coming along nicely and nice that you are working on it again. I will be making one too, on my to do list.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Thanks, I look forward to sharing my progress on this historical quilt.
DeleteThat is such sn amazing quilt, so glad you pulled it out again!
ReplyDeleteAnnie
Annie, you are a no reply... thanks so much for your comment, looking forwarding to sharing more of the blocks soon.
DeleteSo amazing. You are such an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing with us in your blog
ReplyDeleteCathy, you are a no reply... thanks so much, really appreciate your comment.
DeleteThat quilt is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI admire your journey with this quilt. There is something very special about quilts with a story ... and to know that story makes it an inspiration. I will have to look up that book next time I visit my daughter in Boston.
ReplyDeleteJulie, your comment did not come through to my email so... I agree about how story quilts are so special, documenting history, especially that of slave quilting in 1886 on a Georgia plantation.
DeleteAlways loved this quilt! have all the books, but have never started. I look forward to following your progress.
ReplyDeleteI would love to reproduce a quilt as you are doing. Her story continues through you. We have such a connection with our quilts and I feel makers who have gone before us likely had that same connection. They reflect our feelings...lows and highs. I wish we knew the stories behind all those old quilts. I can hardly wait to see your progress. 🙂
ReplyDeletePaula, you are a no reply so... I find myself drawn more and more to antique story quilts like those of Harriet and a need to reproduce their history.
DeleteVery nice nancy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori!
DeleteA lovely and very special project. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of your quilts Nancy. I am a quilter and unfortunately have bought into the belief that quilters should strive for perfection in their quilts, but I love the look of spontaneity in your quilts. They seem to speak louder to me than the "perfectly" pieced ones. Thanks to you, I just might give one of these quilts a try!! Thanks for sharing your work with us. I also love your animal pics. You really do live in a beautiful part of our country.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is amazing. There's so much detail to it and, from what I can tell, many small pieces. It will be wonderful!
ReplyDelete--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)
I’d love to purchase a reproduction of this quilt for display in my home. I already inherited a replica of the Bible quilt and this would compliment it well.
ReplyDelete