Page 117 - MyMomHadAQuiltLikeThat

Stars

LEFT: Elongated Stars 1875-1900, dating from the fugitive green appearing in one star. eBay purchase in
2004 or 2005 from Pennsylvania. 64"x98" Fabric: Cotton. Batting: Medium weight cotton. Backing: Cotton
in a coarse, loose weave, grayish in color. Edge: Hand-made tape, white polka-dot of the stars on the long
sides, fugitive green on one end, and cinnamon red-brown on the other, all used also in the large star
motif. Piecing: By hand. Quilting: By hand, clamshell pattern in sets of 2 parallel lines ½" apart, the sets 1"
apart. Condition: The top is good. The back has two large and 4 small patches and light staining. Overall
very good. Comment: The pattern is unique, and looks to me like somebody intended to make an ordinary
8-pointed star but accidentally elongated the center of the pattern, like an artist with astigmatism. (Think
of the long necks of the models of some Modigliani paintings.) One star contains patches that were green
but that have faded to tan, typical of greens from synthetic dyes that were prevalent in the 1875 to 1900
period. Although a green could be a scrap left over in the sewing basket, it’s unlikely the quilter would
have used it if its color had already begun to escape. I suspect that given its red, white and blue theme,
it’s a centennial quilt. This quilt was in pristine condition (although it had been washed) when I bought it.
The top large stars are comprised of 4,374 one-inch diamonds. Eleven of those are restorations, so I regard
the restoration as extremely minimal. It also happens to be difficult to detect. The back was damaged by
mice on my watch, which makes me heartsick. The back has been restored by replacing lost cotton batting,
stitching it into place, and covering it with muslin patches.
Figure 90: Elongated Stars