Irish Quilts

by Patricia L. Cummings
photos by James Cummings

In 2005, "CraftAdventure," an annual show in West Springfield, Massachusetts chose "Fairies, Gnomes, Leprechauns, and Other Wee Spirits," as its central theme. A challenge was set forth to show participants to develop items with that theme in mind. In addition, quilts made by Irish quiltmakers were presented in a special, overhead display that kept them out of harm's way. We had the pleasure of photographing the show and writing about it for publication in The Quilter magazine. For those of you who missed the article, we are providing a recap.

Marci Alvis-Slinski told us that she decided to invite the Irish Patchwork Society to send quilts for the exhibit after she had absolutely devoured every word of Diana Lambdin Meyer's article about quilting in Ireland, in the May 2004 issue of The Quilter.

Celtic knot quilt with ogham writing at CraftAdventure 2005

So, Where Are You From? by Mary Hunter

Quilt With Ancient Ogham Writing

The gift of a piece of linen from northern Ireland inspired Mary Hunter to create So, Where are You From? This wall hanging features appliquéd Celtic Knot motifs in purple or green on a white background. The edge of the quilt contains an ancient type of Celtic script called Ogham (sometimes pronounced OH-yam).

The text of a poem, quoted in part on the quilt, reads "it is a rich and rare land this native land of mine." Ogham consists of straight lines and (sometimes) dots and was devised between the first and third centuries.

Moonlit pond quilt by Maureen Kennedy at CraftAdventure 2005

Moonlit Pond by Maureen Kennedy

Swans Inspire Quilt

The quilt, Moonlit Pond, by Maureen Kennedy, is composed of cotton and organza fabrics and is appliquéd and machine quilted. The quiltmaker was inspired by the forty swans that she sees each morning in a nearby estuary, and also by a wool tapestry shown by Margaret McCrory at a workshop. Swans seem to be universally loved for their grace and beauty and are a favorite design motif for quilters everywhere.

Kandinsky: origin of my contemporary work by Loretta O'Brien at CraftAdventure 2005

Kandinsky: Origin of My Contemporary Work by Loretta O'Brien

Artist Wassily Kandinsky's Work Generates Quilt

For years now, Loretta O'Brien has been fascinated by the paintings of Wassily Kandinsky and his theories about shape and color. Her hand quilted piece, Kandinsky: Origin of My Contemporary Work, is comprised of both hand dyed and commercial fabrics. The shapes and movement of the design motivate the audience to look more closely at the quilt.

Rabbit Proof quilt by Christine McComish at CraftAdventure 2005

Rabbit Proof by Christine McComish

Australian Story Retold Via a Quilt

Rabbit Proof a quilt made by Christine McComish is appliquéd, machine quilted, and hand quilted. Christine says, "It was inspired by (the story of) Australian Aborigine kids who found (their) way home with the aid of (a) rabbit fence."

These are just a few of the Irish quilts that were featured in the 2005 show. However, we can see from the selection of quilts on display that Irish quilters are doing very contemporary work and are utilizing a variety of techniques, types of cloth, and many original design ideas. They are also incorporating design elements from the past, as well as the ideas of other, to create their own unique quilts.

No Irish Chain Quilts in The Exhibit

No Irish Chain quilt from Ireland was present in this exhibit. Read more about the history of that type of quilt via a wonderful file for which there is a link at the end of this discussion. The only bed quilt that was part of the Irish Patchwork Society exhibit was a Log Cabin quilt in black and white, with red centers. All of the other Irish quilts were wall hangings.

Take me Back to Ireland quilt by Sandy Simmelink of Canada, blue ribbon winner at the Mancuso International show 2006

Take Me Back to Ireland by Sandy Simmelink, Canada, as shown at the Mancuso International Quilt Show, Manchester, NH, 2006

Final Photo - with an Irish Theme

One quilt we would like to share with you was displayed at yet another show, the Mancuso International Quilt Show in 2006, in Manchester, New Hampshire. This gorgeous quilt is the brain child of Sandy Simmelink of Canada. We were enchanted by both its beauty and workmanship. The quilt's name is, "Take Me Back to Ireland."

In ending, I would like to share the following blessing that I heard many times while growing up in an Irish-American household.

An Irish Blessing

May the Road Rise Up to Meet You
May the Wind Be Ever at Your Back
May the Sun Shine Warm Upon Your Fields
And, Until We Meet Again,
May God Hold You in the Palm of His Hand.

anon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

To hear a few mp3 files of Irish songs, please visit a page of links called
Quilter's Muse Song Playlist

Irish Chain and Double Irish Chain Quilts...from Ireland?

According to Roselind Shaw who lives in Belfast, North Ireland, quilting was brought to the Emerald Isle by the English gentry who sometimes taught those in their employ how to do patchwork and how to quilt. When most quilters think of Ireland and quilts, they have visions of the Irish Chain Quilt, a quilt pattern re-popularized in the United States by a how-to-quilt book written by Eleanor Burns in the 1980s.

In Quilted Planet: A Sourcebook of Quilts from Around the World, (Octupus Publishing Group, Ltd., 2005), Celia Eddy says this:

The "Irish Chain" pattern, for example, was known in America from early in the 19th century, but we cannot be certain whether it had earlier Irish connections. Nevertheless, it certainly became a popular pattern in Ireland.

She proceeds to share a photo of an Irish Chain quilt made in County Antrim by Agnes Annie Smith in 1891, for her marriage. The "chains" are rendered in Turkey red and the alternate color is white.

Additional Resources

Quilt historian, Judy Anne Breneman, provides a nice overview of the history of the Irish Chain quilt, on her website: www.womenfolk.com/quilt_pattern_history/irishchain.htm

More Irish Quilts

We thoroughly enjoyed this special exhibit of Irish quilts. To read more about traditional Irish quilts, be sure to visit Roselind Shaw's guest file on the antiquequiltdating site owned by Kimberly Wulfert, Ph.D.:
Early Irish Patchwork Quilts and Traditions