Friday, December 09, 2005


Friday, Dec. 9th..5 degrees here in WI this morning, but warming..*VBS* Wanted to share this quilt with you today. I came across it in a book I've had for several years. The book is Women and Their Quilts; A Washington State Centennial Tribute. The quilt was made by Ella Janette Brown Robertson Vickery in 1925. She and her first husband bought land at $2.50 per acre in Washington State in the early 1880's. The quilt is what is remarkable!! This HAND PIECED medallion quilt has over 6,000 multicolored pieces of printed,solid colored and calico cottons. She commented that 99 percent of this quilt is used fabric. The red, green and gold lattice are 1.5" strips. The blocks range in size from 1 7/8" to 3". Nothing is bigger than 3" finished...and remember, this is HAND PIECED. I think she's got Dear Jane beat...? She gave the quilt to her grandson Austin Wiggins, and the quilt is still owned by him. Ella died in King County, WA in 1949. The book itself was published in 1988. Posted by Picasa

8 comments:

Hunter said...

What a beautiful quilt. I love seeing old quilts and reading about their history.

And it's winter here, too. I put on a robe this morning because it was 76 degrees. What a wuss I am. ;)

Aloha,
Darilyn

Tracey said...

What a beauty!! What to go, Ella!! Thanks for sharing, Finn. I love looking at antique scrappy quilts. :o)

Maggie Ann said...

What an interesting post. (Ella died the year my husband was born.) How wonderful her grandson kept and valued her quilt! He must be a nice man. Her quilt is a masterpiece of beauty! And so...I hear you are a MaryE. fan too. So am I. Her paintings are so cheerful and lots of good common sense outlook on life. Her website tells about how she got started in business, have you visited there? sorry I don't have the link for you. Your clock must be very cheerful! JoAnns has her desk-calendar out now and with that 40% off coupon...here I come. (If they still have any..that is). This has been a pleasant day for me. I'm looking forward with some excitement starting to stir, to our daughter and her family's visit. Our grandson will be 2 on Jan.19th. We haven't seen them for about 3 months. Its time! *vbs*. Hugs to you dear friend, hope you are as snug as a 'bug in a rug'. Isn't that an old saying. Stay cozy! Yes, we've had some fair bits of sunshine...yesterday it was brilliantly sunny for awhile. Thats when I'm torn between dusting or cross-stitching in the wonderful light. But...I practised instead like a good girl. Blessings to you this December day!

Granny said...

Finn: That is amazing. I wonder how long it took her to make it.

Judy L.

Tonya Ricucci said...

Great quilt. I wonder how much of it she planned ahead of time and how much of it was just decided as she went along...

Susan Tidwell said...

So is this your next project? A long cold winter would probably be enough time to finish it! Thanks for sharing, love the history of old quilts.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh my gosh! I want that quilt! It is wonderful! And did you notice the jack blocks that Tonya was just making in her class!

I have to check this book out - wonder if I can still find it?

Bonnie K. Hunter said...

I love the old quilts and the stories of their makers! This quilt is phenominal! I really like your 9 patch and friendship star too..I think it's darling!

Bonnie