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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer July 24, 2006- - No. 75 |
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It was found up in the attic at Grandma's house, in an old beat up cedar chest. Bethanne, down at the local farm museum, took one look at the old thing and said; "oh, a crazy quilt"! The quilt is old and frayed a bit, has the date April 6, 1921, stitched into a centrally located square. The word Mother stands out in blue not far away. The irregular pattern is made up of numerous small triangles and odd shapes, contained within large squares and rectangles. Rich dark colors of maroons, reds, greens and blues pull your eyes into the busy patchwork of long ago.
The work of art is entirely hand stitched. There is some chicken-track-looking stitching, a bunch of flowery stitches, zigzaggy-back-and-forth needlework; holding the hundreds of pieces of material together. Fine work and hours and days of patience went into this one of a kind blanket; very likely by several of the local women folk from back then. More than a dozen names are scattered over the various squares. A couple of men's names are on it. Fred is one, Carl Hehl's last name is included. Mrs. Voshel, in red, is over there in the corner. And then there is Carrie, Edith, Dora and also Phila and Aunt Mary. The words New Era School seem out of context, right there in the middle.
There isn't a one of these folks alive today that did the work. They have all taken with them the secret of where and when they spent their time together. Sure would be fascinating to look in on them, see how and where the work was done. What did they have to say as the pieces came together? Who's idea was the whole project, anyway? Who wore the dresses and shirts that the material came form before ending up in the quilt.
We'll put the quilt back in the chest upstairs at Grandma's place. As time goes on, another generation can pull it out and have a look! |
