Blue Butterflies Quilt

With cross-stitch threads of predominantly light blue and pink, this pastel confection of butterflies appears whimsical but is symmetrically designed and precisely sewn.  Bound in cream with a cream-colored cotton top and backing, a border is formed by pink flowers each sporting two leaves, 10 on the long side, 12 on the short side.  Four large butterflies wrapped in a swirled floral design mark the corners of the quilt. Between the corner pieces are three flowered sprays of pink, 3 on the long side, 4 on the short side. The central motif of the quilt are 12 squares of blue butterflies. The butterflies are surrounded by pink sprays of flowers, at the top left of each square, while the green foliage and stems decorate the bottom right of each square. At the corners of the squares are single pink flowers.

While Stanley and Dorothy quilted this piece in 1990, the theme of butterflies in quilts is quite old. Sometimes a scrap quilt might incorporate butterflies as a design made from simple triangular appliques. Commonly the butterfly symbolizes transformation, or hope.  As hope was needed in the era of the Great Depression, butterfly quilts were especially common in that period.

This is one of nine quilts in the collection made from a Leeward Company kit.

Blue Butterflies Quilt