Flower Pot quilt, or Vase of Flowers quilt, unknown maker from the United States

Exhibition Label:
"Quilts: Flora Botanica," Jun-2008, Barbara Brackman and Susan Earle
This lively quilt features a geometric pieced design bordered with an appliquéd floral vine on just two sides. Today’s quiltmakers speculate that seamstresses making such quilts planned to cover a bed pushed up to the bedroom wall, saving time and stitches by sewing only what would be displayed. Today’s aesthetics frame quilts as art on the wall, so Gail Stewart’s recent interpretation features a symmetrical border.

The border’s floral images, possibly roses and tulips, can be traced to many ancient cultures-Islamic, Indian and European. The border tulip seen in profile is abstracted further into geometric shapes in the blocks. Similar patterns are called Sagebud or Lily Pond. Others see bird footprints in the block, and use names like Goose Tracks and Duck Paddle.