Piece and Plenty

Appliqued summer spread, signed J.H. Caspar, Pennsylvania, estimated date 1840-1860.

Piece and Plenty, by Cindy Vermillion Hamilton, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, 1999

I have an appliqued spread from Pennsylvania that is signed on the reverse J.A. Caspar (possibly J.H. Caspar or Gasper). Various flowers and fruit sprout from a basket with reverse appliqued diamonds. A swag border with strawberries frames three sides. The overdyed green has been damaged by washing, turning the green to yellow in streaks where the blue dye has bled out. Several years ago Cyndi Vermillion Hamilton borrowed the top to photograph and she came up with this interpretation, a spectacular red and green reproduction quilt. She had a good time finding a swirly batik to represent the damaged green.

You still have a few days to see an exhibit she's curated.
"Antique Quilts from the Trunk of Cindy Vermillion Hamilton" runs through September 19, 2009 at the San Juan Historical Society Museum in Pagosa Springs, CO. The museum is located at US 160 and 1st Street. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm. About 30 quilts ranging from 1840 through one of Cindy's recent works are on display.