The binding had torn away at the bottom.
These sites tell about the redwork style.
Redwork Embroidery History: From Tea Towels to Quilts, Womenfolk
History of Redwork, Redwork Plus
History of Redwork, The Quilter Community
Here are detail shots of the blocks. There are initials or a first name in the center block, and no date. I would guess that the quilt was made in the first decades of the 20th century. Redwork designs have a gentle happiness to them, don't they?
I love seeing redwork but whenever I do I always wonder how it survived on the surface of a quilt, or any other fabric, when sometimes the fabric itself is starting to deteriorate. I think of embroidery floss as less durable than regular thread, but maybe the embroidery floss they used 100 years ago was stronger. Thanks for sharing this beauty.
ReplyDelete--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)
Hi, Nancy. I'd guess the longevity of fabrics and threads depends a lot on their original quality and their individual reactions to all the stresses of light and humidity and use. I've also seen quilts where it's the floss that goes first and the fabric is still OK. But if I think about it, it's probably more often the fabric that goes first. Maybe some of it has to do with the fabric being punctured by the embroidery and quilting stitches? The quality of cotton fabric certainly is different in different eras.
DeleteI visited your blog. Love your writing and your work!!