Bedspread 1935 - 1942

This quilt, “Bedspread,” was made by Esther Hansen, who was born in 1855 and lived until 1995. The quilt’s like a big hug of colours and textures all stitched together. I can almost see Esther, sitting with a pile of fabric scraps, each piece holding a memory. It's so intimate, you know? I bet she arranged and rearranged those strips of fabric, feeling the different weights and textures in her hands. The way the reds and blues meet, separated by strips of dark grey, it's like they're having a conversation across the surface. I’m really drawn to the red lines that cross the quilt’s surface, creating geometric shapes. To me, those red lines are a sign of confidence. It makes me think of the quilts of Rosie Lee Tompkins, and how so many makers, like Esther, channel so much feeling into each stitch. You can see Esther's whole life in this bedspread. It's imperfect, maybe, but it's full of intention and feeling.