Dahlia Quilt Raffle

And the winner of the dahlia quilt by Carole Carter, FromMyCarolinaHome.com is…Carrie Blair, Brevard, NC

Carrie shared a few words with us about her love of quilts.

News from Carrie Blair

My interest in the geometric forms of traditional antique, pieced, hand-sewn quilts made from fabric scraps began in my 20’s, the 1970’s. I inherited a fine family quilt in perfect unused condition as a wedding gift. My Great Aunt Carrie’s mother, Annie Hoag of Blissfield Michigan, made the red and green applique Cherry pattern on white circa 1900. It was appraised in 1987.

I started searching for Amish quilts in Loudoun County, Virginia and bought many very good quality vintage hand stitched quilts that I used as bedcovers & curtains. I like strong colors and simple patterns with good needlework. Newly made work from China & India that copies American patterns does not appeal. My quilts have been displayed at a church Christmas fundraiser in Orlean, Virginia.

Carole Carter’s Dahlia quilt is a vibrant, hypnotic creation. It has a mesmerizing effect. Some quilts achieve this by having two competing shapes with equally strong colors so you see one pattern, and then if you look with a soft gaze, the other pattern takes precedence, creating an optical illusion, or trompe l’oeil.

Acquiring this masterpiece is a thrill in part because I was drawn to the subject-dahlia; colors-yellow and blue predominate, but nearly the whole rainbow range occurs; the original design; and beautiful stitching pattern.

Carole’s dahlia expands towards you, shimmering right off the blue background. It has a three-dimensional fullness with subtle color gradations. The many stitching variations give a dynamic swirl.

I am an amateur botanist, so my group, The Western Carolina Botanical Club meets at Bullington for speakers in the winter months. It is a great location with high quality, forest habitat, whimsical Fairy Gardens, labeled native plant displays and attractive showcases for the cultivated plants from around the world.

The dahlia collection is a real show-stopper at the close of the blooming season.

I am happy to support Bullington Gardens and a local artist. If a quilt raffle is offered next year, I hope everyone will take a chance to support this wonderful garden!