Pattern Name: Grandma's Flower Garden
Age: 1880s-1900
Quilting: self quilting throughout - hand pieced and hand-quilted
Material: plant-dyed plain beige calico with turkey red, Prussian blue and indigo-dyed blocks; wax resist calico backing
Measurements: 84x88
 
Heritage: This quilt was found in Alabama and is a truly remarkable quilt.  Usually thought of as a 1930s quilt (when the pattern had a revival) the grandma's flower garden quilt has been around since the late 1700s.  The pattern was first printed in Godey's book in the mid-1800s and has been a steady favorite since then.  It's a fantastic way to use your scraps!  This quilt features LOTS of indigo calicos, turkey reds, and a few other scraps that are just breathtaking.  These fabrics and the black quilting thread puts this quilt squarely in the turn of the century rather than the 1930s.  
 
Condition: Overall the piece is in fair condition for its age.  The quilt itself is quite sturdy, but there are a few issues:  a few of the blocks have worn away.  The binding is worn and frayed in several places and has also been replaced a bit later with a turkey red.  There is one section of the quilt that has some holes in it that go all of the way through to the front.  The quilt presents beautifully and with a bit of mindfulness will last many more years.  This would not be a quilt to wash, but to leave outside in the sun (under a clean white sheet) for a few warm, sunny days.  This is the traditional cleaning method for these types of quilts and would be appropriate here.