Heirloom Quilt

Quilt Name:  Picnic Nine-Patch

Origin of the Design:  According to Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman, the Honeybee quilt block dates back to at least the 1840s. The block was pieced with a solid square for the center; then "bee wings" were appliqued in place.  Sometime in the 20th century (1920s or so), quilt designers of the time began to use a nine patch for the center square.

Application of Design Principles and Elements:  The intense red and green complementary color scheme make this a very striking quilt.  The contrast in value and color really draw the eye.  The blocks are placed on point.  The quilt is balanced symmetrically.  The repetition of the blocks give the quilt nice rhythm and continuity.  

Fiber Content:  All fabrics and batting are polyester.

Size:  76 x 92 (Full or Double Bed size)

Made: 1983

Quilt maker :  Carla D. Chappell Lyman (1936- )

Quilt owner:  Tracie Bradley

Carla’s family struggled financially throughout her childhood, but her mother, Carlie Calister Davenport always found the means to make quilts.  Carla remembers her mother’s “quilting bee’s” where friends would arrive, a quilt would be put up and the ladies would gather around it to stitch and visit.  She enjoyed playing under the quilt with her younger sister and brother.

When she was married in 1955 her mother was able to purchase red and white fabric to make her a wedding quilt.  The fabrics would have been affordable cottons, including a red checked gingham. Later on, this quilt became a favorite of Carla’s children.  When they went outside to enjoy a picnic on the lawn, this was the preferred quilt to sit on.  The quilt became very worn and by the time the oldest child, Tracie was engaged to be married the quilt was in tatters.  Carla agreed to made a duplicate of the beloved picnic quilt for her daughter.  

Like her mother, Carla had made many quilts using whatever fabric scraps that were available to her.  Mostly she used materials left over from making shirts and dresses for the family.  For the wedding quilt she planned to make she decided to purchase new fabric.

The fabric industry had made some significant changes since her mother, Carlie made the picnic quilt in 1955.  A new fiber called polyester was developed in 1953 and the polyester fabrics became very popular.  They did not wrinkle like the cottons of the time.  They did not wear out as quickly and the fabrics were inexpensive.  These fabrics flooded the market throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s.  When Carla went to purchase new fabric in the early 1980’s she was limited by what was available to consumers.  She located red and white fabric as well as red checked gingham in fabrics that were woven with polyester fibers.  These were used to make the duplicate quilt for Tracie.

Quilt making in America experienced a revival beginning with the Bicentennial of the country in 1976.  Tracie began noticing quilts featured in magazines as their popularity grew.  The fabric industry responded to the growing interest and produced more 100% cottons. The polyester fabrics did not have the same feel or look of the earlier cotton quilts made by her mother and grandmother.  Although not commonly used today, quilters realize the value and beauty of the polyester quilts made during this time.

Looking at the quilt today, it is clearly a artifact from a particular time, telling much about the fabric industry in 1983.  Clothing owned by Tracie from that time was discarded long ago, but the quilt remains.  It is also a cherished reminder of picnics on the back lawn with her beautiful young mother.  It is a pattern that has a history and meaning to the quilt maker and the owner of the quilt.

At one time Tracie considered making another for her daughter Megan at the time of her marriage, but decided against it.  Unlike the quilt her grandmother made, Carla’s quilt of durable polyester will last for many, many years to come and will most likely be handed down to Megan, still usable.