Bowtie Pattern Crib Quilt c. 1940

This Crib Quilt, by an anonymous maker, uses fabric and thread to make the bowtie pattern. You know, when I look at this quilt, I’m struck by its bold simplicity: just black and red, shapes repeating in a regular order, but with the wonderful imperfections of anything handmade. The quilting feels almost like drawing, following a pattern but with its own rhythm and variations. The material itself – fabric – has such a different quality to paint, a soft, yielding surface, compared to the slickness of canvas. I love the little irregularities where the edges don’t quite line up; it's like a little hiccup in the pattern that reminds me of the human touch behind it. It makes me think of another quiltmaker, Rosie Lee Tompkins, who also worked with geometric shapes and bold colors, creating powerful, abstract compositions. In the end, whether it’s a quilt or a painting, it's all about seeing and feeling.