A Rabari Ralli

Editors's Note: To celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Quilt House gallery, International Quilt Study Center & Museum team members are blogging about pieces in the gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Getting to Know You."

Ghodiyun Cradle Cover, made by the Rabari People,
Kutch, India, Circa 1975-2000. IQSCM 2012.001.0007.

By Marin Hanson
Curator of Exhibitions

I know I've written about India lately, but I just can't help it – I want to keep going back.

Quite simply, I love this quilt because it reminds me of the time I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the part of India where it was made – Kutch, which is a region in the state of Gujarat in the far West of the country. In fact, I was there when this piece was acquired on our behalf – by our good friend Geeta Khandelwal. Isn't it magnificent? The stylized peacocks, flowing trees of life, and triangular temples are surrounded by seemingly endless applique borders that reverberate and ripple outward. Clearly, this quilt would have added color and beauty to life in this arid part of India.

Rabari tribeswomen have made these quilts for generations. The Rabari family from whom we acquired this piece are no longer nomadic like their ancestors – in fact, they welcomed us into their home where the husband has a shop of Rabari crafts for sale.

Here I am – wistfully wishing I could stay longer in this wonderful country!

Little Log Cabin

Editor's Note: To celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Quilt House gallery, International Quilt Study Center & Museum team members are blogging about pieces in the gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Getting to Know You."

Log Cabin, maker unknown, made in United States, circa 1890-1910.
Ardis and Robert James Collection, IQSCM 1997.007.0114.

By Laura Chapman
Communications Coordinator

I grew up with fairly limited exposure to quilts. My mom and grandma knitted and crocheted, so most of my knowledge about quilts came from the Little House books and the Dove in the Window quilt Laura worked on throughout the series.

I’m truly lucky to work alongside a great team of co-workers at such a beautiful building that houses such amazing treasures. Like this one. There really is something about a Log Cabin quilt that is wonderful. Maybe it’s that connection to the Little House books. No, they didn’t make any in the series, but Laura was born in a log cabin in the woods.

Yeah. I've been there. Or at least to the replica cabin that was built on the site where the one she lived it in used to exist.

Or maybe I just like these quilts because they're versatile and can look so different based on how you put them together. This great animation created by University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows featured in our exhibition, "Design Dynamics of Log Cabin Quilts," shows those different settings.

A Mix of Old and New(ish)

Editor's Note: To celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Quilt House gallery, International Quilt Study Center & Museum team members are blogging about pieces in the gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Getting to Know You."

Whole cloth, maker unknown, circa 1890-1910,
made in Turkey. IQSCM 2010.045.0012.

By Carolyn Ducey
Curator of Collections

I love fabrics. I love quilts too, but it is the fabric themselves that call to me. This piece is block printed with a turquoise design reminiscent of an early Indian paisley. The fact that it was made in the twentieth century, with a technique that has been used for centuries is amazing. It tells me that traditional ways still have life and are still appreciated in their communities. This Anatolian variation is done in two halves that, when sewn together, make a whole cloth quilt.

Maybe that’s a part of the appeal of this quilt as well… I never could make seams match or corners sharp. I like the idea that the medallion, in its contrasting blue and yellow colors, the paisleys printed in the body of the quilt and the design of the outer border are complete – the only thing needed is to stitch the batting and backing together and you have a striking, warm, beautiful quilt. That’s my kind of piecing!

Triangles, Triangles Everywhere

Editor's Note: To celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Quilt House gallery, International Quilt Study Center & Museum team members are blogging about pieces in the gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Getting to Know You."

Patchwork, maker unknown, Thailand,
circa 1980. IQSCM 2008.012.0006.

By Marin Hanson
Curator of Exhibitions

Repeating triangles. It's a thing with quiltmakers everywhere. This quilt from Thailand inspired me to look through the International Quilt Study Center & Museum's collections and find some other examples of the obsessive triangles phenomenon. Enjoy!

UNITED STATES. c. 1850, probably Pennsylvania,
Holstein Collection, 2003.003.0305

UNITED STATES, c. 1890-1910,
possibly Posey County, Indiana,
James Collection, 1997.007.0085

UNITED STATES - AMISH,
c. 1975, L. Miller, Probably Wayne County,
Ohio, James Collection, 1997.007.0501

UNITED STATES - AFRICAN AMERICAN,
c. 1975-1985, Dennis Jones, Pickens County, Alabama,
Cargo Collection, 2000.004.0051

KYRGYZSTAN, c. 1930-1940, 2011.040.0016

PAKISTAN, Sindh,
c. 1970-1990, 2000.003.0004

CHINA, c. 2010, He Xiuxian (maker),
Jialiang, Guizhou Province, 2014.027.0010