Twelve Quilts of Christmas 2020 – #12

Susan Holbert’s “Little Sister’s Quilt”, possibly Chester, Orange County, New York, c. 1850-1860, 92” x 85”, Makers: Susan Holbert and Emily Holbert.   
From the Collection of the National Museum of American History/Smithsonian,
Accession Number 1988.0245


 

And here we find ourselves.  The final day of this antique medallion quilt extravaganza.  It has been such a joy and pleasure to share these quilts with you.  I hope you have enjoyed them and found a few moments distraction from all that is going on around us.  

 

I am grateful to the Smithsonian for such full curatorial notes for this quilt.  How fortunate we are to know so much about the maker and so much about the quilt.  You will want to follow the link above to have a read and to get a closer look at the magnificent quilting.  She was a fine needlewoman.

 

This quilt is exquisite in its execution.  It is nearly perfect in its attention to exacting placement and repetition of details, save the leaves on the flowers and one saucy flower stem.  She used the same red and yellow fabric throughout but substituted 3 different greens.  I don’t mind that, do you?

 

It seemed fitting to celebrate this quilt as the last one in this year’s lineup.  It just feels incredibly festive.

 

Thank you so much for spending some time here with me and going on this quilty romp through some splendid medallion quilts.  

 

I wish you and yours all the very best of the holiday season.

 

Mary Elizabeth

COMMENTS

  1. Karen Weidler says...

    What a gorgeous quilt! Enjoyed reading about Susan and the quilt through the link. Eight stitches per inch is impressive and I would love to see the quilting up close. Thank you for 12 Quilts of Christmas 2020. I loved it. Enjoy your holiday.

    • mekinch says...

      Thank you so much Karen! Enjoy your holidays too!

  2. Susan says...

    Exquisite is the word that leapt to mind on first seeing this quilt. Any changes in colour will be as in nature, so fitting. Thanks for spending time on selecting your 12 choices Mary Elizabeth. True treats of Christmas!.
    Joyeux Noël!

    • mekinch says...

      You are so welcome. Merry Christmas Susan!

  3. What a stunner! Every little thing about it is gorgeous! Those birds! Ahhhh! What a perfect quilt to end this wonderful quilt show on! Thank you so much, Mary Elizabeth, for again giving us such a wonderful gift of so much quilty goodness! You’re so generous with your time and efforts on this, and we truly appreciate it! I hope you had a lovely Christmas, and enjoy a wonderful, healthy and happy New Year!

    • mekinch says...

      Thank you so much Regan. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy New Year.

  4. Roxanne says...

    I have enjoyed these quilts and each of your delightful write-ups!
    “Saucy” is a word that deserves a comeback! 😄

    • mekinch says...

      Thank you Roxanne. So glad you enjoyed them. And yes, you go for it … spearhead that campaign for that comeback!

  5. Theresa Arnold says...

    The shades of green suggest depth and shadows. Would be “too perfect” without those variations – I like the quiltmaker more because of it (can’t abide perfect perfection in quilts which makes me not like the quiltmaker as much)!

  6. Nancy Blanck says...

    I wanted to let you know that Wendy Whellum (Legend and Lace) has recreated this quilt and has the pattern for sale in her etsy store for $26.19. It is not an exact copy but very, very close. The pattern is a digital download. Happy quilting!!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*