Triple Sunflower

This beautiful quilt is from Barbara Chainey's collection and was another special find from International Quilt Festival in Houston. The quilting is particularly fine and detailed with Feathered Wreaths and Tulips and triple diagonal lines. Considerably faded now, this would have been very striking in its original red, green and white colour scheme. The green has receded to a shadowy pale buff colour, and the yellow flower centres are also less vivid than before. Interestingly, the flowers are not made up from diamonds but pentagons which leave an intentional gap at the centre, covered by the yellow circle. Completely hand stitched, thin cotton wadding, some strong pencil type markings are still visible in places. Possible date 1850s – 1860s, no other information available.

Templates are given so you can stitch your own version of this quilt. It would make a lovely Christmas runner, for instance. The original quilt measures 72 x 84 inches.