Silk Couch Cover c. 1938

Carmel Wilson made this silk couch cover sometime in the 20th century. It's a great example of a quilt, made by stitching together small pieces of fabric, in this case silk, to create a larger design. The individual pieces are cut into geometric shapes - predominantly hexagons - and assembled in a seemingly random fashion. Silk, known for its sheen and luxurious feel, was historically a prized material, and suggests a certain level of affluence. These are likely remnants from other projects, upcycled into something beautiful and useful. Patchwork traditions like this have often been associated with resourceful domestic labor. Here, the focus isn't on expensive new materials, but on the creative act of repurposing and the value of handcraft. The process, involving meticulous cutting and sewing, speaks to the labor and skill invested in the creation, which is a world away from modern, mass-produced textiles. It elevates the seemingly mundane into something special.