Doll Bed Applique Patchwork Quilt c. 1937

This Doll Bed Applique Patchwork Quilt was made by Beverly Chichester; I'm thinking about the way she used fabric scraps to form these little worlds, each a tiny canvas of color and form. It's so intimate, so handmade. The quilt is a collection of small fabric squares, each with its own appliqué design. Look at the textures, the way the fabrics are layered and stitched together. Those stitches aren't just functional; they're part of the art. Notice the square with the heart and the little shapes surrounding it, like a constellation of feelings. Each piece of fabric has a history, a life of its own, repurposed and reborn in this new form. Chichester's quilt reminds me of the work of Rosie Lee Tompkins. There's a similar sense of improvisation and personal expression. Quilts like this aren’t just about keeping warm; they’re about storytelling, memory, and the ongoing conversation of art across time. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it?