Monday, September 17, 2018

Noah and Matilda - Prickly Business

I think it is pretty rare to see a cactus on a mid 19th century quilt and this one has two. The research that Dawn has done so far, finds Noah and Matilda (and family) in Kansas, Illinois and Indiana, hardly cactus territory. One of Dawn’s theories (here) is that the inspiration may have been from botanical prints such as this one. Sounds plausible to me. She is a super sleuth! 

I had a lot of fun with this one! I used this fabulous fabric that I bought in St. Bart’s (in 1993!) to fussy cut the flowers. I had to really be fussy with the neon fabric in this one. I had just enough of the green portion of this print to fit.
As for the greens, I thought these two fabrics looked “prickly”. 


16 comments:

  1. I can't imagine any better fabrics for a cactus plant than these, Wendy. Great choices and wonderful block!

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  2. Wonderful fabric use! It definitely looks prickly! :)
    That is so interesting to have a cactus show up in such a quilt. Dawn's theory sounds very plausible.

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  3. Lovely fabric choices--just perfect! Nice job hugs, Julierose

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  4. You chose the perfect fabrics for this block - it's amazing!

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  5. another beauty wendy...your work always inspires!

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  6. The botanical print of the prickly pear cactus shows a cactus that was commonly planted on old Pennsylvania farmsteads in the nineteenth century. I still see remnants of them, and there was one at my old farmhouse. The fabric you choose is perfect! I love your block.

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  7. Oh I just love the fabrics you picked for your prickly cacti!!
    I'm impressed that you were able to FIND those fabrics... what impressive organization. Of course, your appliqué is superb!!

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  8. What a fabulous Prickly Pear Cactus block! Absolutely love it! Your fabric choices are perfect :) There are actually Prickly Pears growing wild along the bike trails at Sandy Hook National Park in NJ.

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  9. love this cactus block! They are so in vogue right now too. Your broderie perse is great on the blossoms.
    I saw a real prickly pear in Texas it was very neat.

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  10. Wendy, what an eye you have for matching fabric and design! Inspired choices here.

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  11. You really picked the perfect fabrics for this prickly pear. I remember this was a fun block to do.

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  12. Perfect fabric choice for this block ! You rock Wendy !!

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  13. I thought the same as you about it being rare to see the cactus design on an antique quilt. I am not happy with the cactus block I made. I think I should have made different fabric choices to make it more interesting I like those little flower pieces you added to your cactus.

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  14. Great use of fabric - love the neon green!

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  15. That block and the fussy cutting is so darling!!

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