A Flowering of Quilts [Hardcover]

Patricia Cox Crews (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001

The beautiful floral appliqué quilts of the nineteenth century have long been admired and appreciated. This book showcases fifty-three striking examples of these quilts, taken from the Ardis and Robert James Collection of the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska. The quilts comprise a range of styles, including cut-out chintz appliqué quilts, album-style quilts, a number of red-and-green floral appliqué quilts, as well as a limited number of pieced quilts and crazy quilts. Included with each botanically inspired quilt is a detailed, informative description of its appliqué, piecing, and quilting techniques as well as enlightening background information concerning the historical, horticultural, and botanical influences on the quilt's design and execution. Helpful essays at the beginning of the book explore nineteenth-century women's sustained interest in botany and examine the fascinating parallels between the designs of flower gardens and those of quilts during that era.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patricia Cox Crews is professor of Textiles, Clothing, and Design and director of the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska. She is coeditor of Nebraska Quilts and Quiltmakers (Nebraska 1991).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 147 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press; First Edition edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803215134
• ISBN-13: 978-0803215139
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,815,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book of botanical quilts, October 16, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Flowering of Quilts (Hardcover)

This book presents 53 full color quilts from the Ardis and Robert James collection at the Nebraska State Museum. The quilts are all superb examples of cut-out chintz applique, album style, applique, pieced and some crazy quilts. It examines the influence of gardening and botanizing on 19th century quilt designs. I highly recommend this book to the quilter, or quilt lover. It gives a detailed description of each quilt, and brings out design elements that might otherwise be overlooked. I own many quilt documentation books and have not seen most of the quilts in this book before. Many have never been publicly displayed before. It is absolutly gorgeous. Buy it!!! You will not be disappointed.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed descriptions of appliques, piecing, & techniques, August 8, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Flowering of Quilts (Hardcover)

Enhanced with 53 color plates, 11 b/w illustrations, five charts and an index, A Flowering Of Quilts is a superbly presented compendium of the quilter's art with selections drawn from the Ardis and Robert James Collection of the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska. A spectrum of quilting styles is presented including cut-out chintz applique quilts, album-style quilts, red-and-green floral applique quilts, pieced quilts, crazy quilts, and more. Each botanically inspired quilt is supported with a detailed description of its applique, piecing, and quilting techniques, as well as historical, horticultural, and botanical background information on the quilt's design and execution. Informative essays explore the nineteenth century women's sustained interest in botany and examine the parallels between their flower garden designs of the era. A Flowering Of Quilts is a strongly recommended addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library needlecraft reference collection.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing quilts, April 18, 2006

By 

E Rice (western ny state) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Flowering of Quilts (Hardcover)

this is a magnificent collection of quilts. like many other quilters, i have quite a few books devoted to antique quilts--whether museum or state project collections or the quilts of other countries. this is one of the best.

many of the quilts shown are unlke any others i've seen in any source. the range and wealth of design and originality are breathtaking and inspirational.

the sections dealing with women's roles in 19th century america and their relation to botany is well written and very interesting.

the photos and written descriptions of the quilts are very good. it would, of course, have been lovely to have had detailed shots of the quilting, but that is possibly the only criticism i have about this book.

definitely a book for any quilter's library, and also valuable to anyone interested in the lives of 19th century women.