Quilt c. 1937

This quilt was made by Gladys Phillips, born in 1855. Imagine her stitching those pink flowers, green vines, and little berry dots onto the white fabric. I can almost see her hands moving, carefully placing each piece, finding her way through the design, a little stitch at a time. I love how the pink triangles create this kind of sunburst effect around the flower. It’s like a little explosion of energy. I wonder what Gladys was thinking as she made it? Maybe she was thinking about her garden, or a special person she wanted to keep warm with her quilt. There is a sense of playfulness that reminds me of Henri Matisse’s cut-outs. It's as if Gladys is conversing with all these other makers across time, isn’t she? A conversation that’s about beauty and comfort, about making something with your own two hands. Quilts are like paintings, but with thread. They are an opportunity for storytelling through colours, shapes, and textures.