06.24.08
Basket Quilts
A certain lecturer who talks about quilts tells me that she would not be without a Crazy Quilt and a Basket Quilt. That has me thinking. Why did she say “Basket Quilts?” Is it because they look elegant, set on point? Is there something quintessentially “country,” or American, that is represented by those kinds of quilts? We all like the expression, “Don’t put your eggs all in one basket?” Do we also like the various ways that Basket Quilts can be assembled?
In teaching, we can use the design to demonstrate appliquéd “handles,” and pieced bases. We can make the baskets with triangles or we can interweave bias strips for more of a Baltimore Album look. They can be as colorful as we’d like. We can add no handles at all. We can “fill” the basket, with a large flower, or leave it completely empty.
Of the many types of quilts available to represent America’s best efforts at quilting, my friend chose a “Basket Quilt.” I don’t own one, old or new. Perhaps, I should get busy and make one. How about you? I might even be sneaky and make a miniature basket quilt. Would that count? Only time will tell which I’ll decide to make. If you put together a new basket quilt, or have an “old” one that you’ve photographed, we’d love to see a photo.
Until next time,
Patricia Cummings, pat at quiltersmuse.com
