Patchwork Quilt c. 1936

Ellen Duncan, who lived a long life from 1855 to 1995, made this patchwork quilt, and you can imagine her hands moving, choosing, and stitching, creating a world through fabric. The quilt whispers of patience, each red square and delicate vine carefully placed. I think of her studio, the light filtering through a window, illuminating piles of fabric scraps. What was she thinking as she pieced this together? Did she hum a tune? Was it a gift for someone special, or a way to keep her hands busy, her mind at ease? I can almost feel the textures – the soft cotton, the raised seams. These shapes – are they traditional, or something completely unique to her? Does it have a specific pattern, or is it a mix of everything she could find? Maybe she was inspired by her garden, or just the patterns of the seasons changing. Quilts are paintings made of cloth! They teach us so much.