Quilt Applique Pattern c. 1939

Maud M. Holme created this Quilt Applique Pattern, likely with watercolor or gouache, capturing a design that sings with folk charm. The way the shapes are laid out, it’s like Holme is saying, "Here's how I see the world, one stitch, one color at a time.” Look at the central flower burst of alternating red and green plumes, radiating from a shared, verdant core. It’s so carefully planned, yet feels spontaneous. The background is a quiet field of quilted texture, each line a testament to patience. The medium feels light, the colors transparent, allowing the whiteness of the paper to peek through. The edges are adorned with a garland of flowers and leaves, creating a sense of closure, as if to say, “This is the end of the garden, but also the beginning.” Thinking about pattern makers like Ree Morton, who turned the grid into a space of pure freedom, I realize that there is always room for play.