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This quilt
came from Louise Harding's attic. Click
here to read more about Louise's family.
The quilt measures approximately 77" X 79" and is made of 25, 10" pieced
blocks set on point. I have not found
the exact block pattern in any of my reference books; however, it is a variation of
a pine tree block. Block patterns are often identified by a number of different names. This pattern may also be
called tree of life or tree of paradise. The quilt is finished with
indigo and white double borders, four patch corners and 1/4"
matching indigo binding.
The indigo and white fabric as
well as the lighter cadet blue and white fabrics are characteristic of
fabrics from 1880-1910
(based on information from
Dating Fabrics, a Color Guide 1800-1960 by Eileen Jahnke Trestain).
Yellow accents can also be seen in some of the indigo prints. This is a scrappy
quilt. The leaves and trunk of each tree are made from a variety of
blues. We know the Harding ladies quilted for others and their scrap
bag was deep. The largest cut of cloth is the Indigo blue border which
indicates that fabric may have been purchased specifically for this quilt.
The quilting is small and meticulous. The feathered wreath and diamond quilting design as well as the double bars in the border are pretty much identical to the pomegranate quilt, indicating the quilts were made by the same person. The quilting style is similar to that used in the rose of Sharon quilt (Lydia's wedding quilt - approx. date 1860) but the amount of quilting is less. This leads me to think it was made sometime after the 1860s quilt and possibly quilted by one of Lydia's daughters.
The four patch pieced corners add interest to the double border and is another design element found in other quilts from this collection.
The quilt appears never to have
been used or washed as some of the pencil markings are still visible.
There are a couple of small stains from storage, otherwise
the quilt is in excellent condition. The quilt is not signed or dated. The quilting style matches that of the Pomegranate and Rose of Sharon (1860s wedding quilt) but with less quilting. The fabric is characteristic of 1880-1910. The quilt most likely was made by Lydia Stout Harding (1844-1923) or one of her daughters.
I would love to hear your
thoughts about this quilt. Please send
your comments to
Click here to read more about the Harding
family and other quilts from this collection.
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To view additional quilts or stories about the women who made them click on the links at the top of this page.