Starry Quilt

Here's a lovely star quilt, probably made in the last decades of the 1800s.  

I've seen this pattern called "Blazing Star" or "Star of Bethlehem".  This pattern has a long history as a favorite.  Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Quilt Patterns lists many other names.  Along with flowers, quilters seem to have always been very fond of stars!

Sometimes, it has been called "Prairie Star" and "Harvest Sun", names that evoke the Midwest and prairie states.  Sometimes, it has been called "Ship's Wheel", evoking towns along major river routes or along the seacoast.  I am always fascinated when quilts can give us a glimpse into America's history.

As a design, I like how the blocks form an overall pattern when they touch.  I also like how, with some colorations, the little diamonds at the tips of the star give the effect of a sparkle.

The collection of fabrics in this quilt is also lovely.  Here are some detail shots of my favorite stars.

This quilter used her scraps wisely, and created a lovely piece of art.  The red binding is like the period at the end of a sentence, or maybe it's an exclamation point!