A tree of life blooms in the center of this unquilted spread and features a variety of English roses and tulips as well as fanciful blossoms and brightly colored birds perched among the branches. The maker made the tree taller by adding a second chintz fabric to create the gnarled tree trunk. The same technique was used in the outer border. A unique aspect of this piece is that all of the fabrics were stitched in place with a decorative herringbone stitch.

Pattern: 
Tree of Life
Maker: 
Maker unknown
Circa
1780
1800
Possibly made in
United States or United Kingdom
111.75
93
IQM, Byron and Sara Rhodes Dillow Collection
2008.040.0001