Applique Quilt 1935 - 1942

This is an applique quilt by Mary Berner, who lived from 1855 to 1995. I just love imagining Mary patiently stitching away! Look at how each block is a little world of its own, a garden blooming in fabric. It’s like she’s taken all these different plants and flowers and arranged them into this beautiful, harmonious composition. I wonder what Mary was thinking about as she stitched each leaf and petal? Maybe she was remembering her own garden, or dreaming of spring. There’s a real sense of care and attention in every stitch. And the way she uses red and green against the neutral background just makes everything pop! Quilts like this remind me that art isn’t just about what you see in museums. It’s about everyday creativity, about taking humble materials and turning them into something beautiful and meaningful. And it’s also about connecting with the past, with all the other artists and makers who came before us, each inspiring the next.