Karen Hansen brought this vintage quilt to guild and we went nuts. It was so bright and exciting! She was seeking advice about washing it - we begged her to show it at our quilt show.
So she did. Isn't it wonderful? It was made in the 1940s by Hazel Eisenhart Baker, Karen's husband's grandmother. She lived in Spokane, Washington.
By coincidence, I happened to read an article about string quilts written by my friend Pat Kyser published in Quilt World magazine, March/April 1979. It had a picture of a similar quilt made by a woman in Tennessee. Pat wrote: "In their area, this quilt has two names. If the round piece is white, it is called "Snowball," and if it is red, it is called "Fireball." Pat described it as as a string-pieced square with a bite taken off two of the corners. The size of the bite determines whether an oval or a circle results when four pieces are placed together.
The circles in Karen's quilt are not pieced, which makes us think they were appliqued on.
I so enjoy each and every quilt you bring to your blog and explain to us. Thanks, Deb, for the time and energy you expend to help us understand quilting and its past.
ReplyDeletefantastic quilt, love it love it love it. I've heard "snowball" but never "fireball." this is on my someday list.
ReplyDeletehave you visited the Mingei Museum's website yet to see their amazing quilt collection? It's new and has lots of string quilts. I loved this string snowball that would be considered a fireball probably with the orange. http://www.mingei.org/collectionobject/string-quilt-top-snow-ballbow-tie-2/
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt! So stunning it just grabs your attention and keeps it as you look at every piece! Never heard it called a fireball but it makes sense.
ReplyDeletei have the nicest readers - Lynda, thanks for your comment! I love sharing what I find. Tonya - thanks for that link, i'll check it out. This quilt is on my someday list too! In fact, I should start it NOW.
ReplyDeleteMy heart stopped beating for a second! This quilt is beautiful! Yes, start it now! Every time I see this pattern and the snake quilt, I want to make one. Now is a good time as any!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt! Thanks for showing it. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYES, I loved it!
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