More than 150 years ago, an anonymous quiltmaker somewhere in the vicinity of Albany, New York, designed and appliqued what is now regarded as one of the masterpieces of American Folk Art. Using paper ephemera, this master quilter created appliqué templates to fill her fabric canvas to the very edges with a bounty of delightful images. This quilt top, called the Bird of Paradise, can now be seen in the American Folk Art Museum in New York.
Karen Mowery, a folk artist and quilter, presents her version of the Bird of Paradise quilt top. Karen’s version has been beautifully constructed to replicate the original quilt. The personal story of the original quilter remains a mystery. The blocks hold clues to the story, which Karen has attempted to unravel. What is the story behind this quilt? What do the objects and blocks say to you?
“In the ongoing effort to preserve our ties to the past, Karen’s book, A Bountiful Life, recreates this fabulous piece of American Folk Art. Like the antique quilt top, it is not quilted but is backed, tied and used as a summer spread or wall hanging. I’m so pleased that the designs are full-size and ready to use; no trips to the copy center to enlarge them. Get ready to begin stitching!” — Jo Morton
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