Tree of Life Quilt

The Rankins made this quilt from Progress Quilt Company Kit #1492, an extremely popular kit that was first sold in 1930, then sold again in 1950 and eventually revived from 1966 to 1985. The vibrant colors for the applique are cotton and polyester blues, greens, and gold. This quilt is signed 1986.

This quilt is bound with blue thread; the edging is scalloped. At each corner are two appliqued flower stems, a larger yellow flower and a smaller blue flower. The central motif of the quilt is the tree. It stands on a ground of stylized grass which looks like green fish scale ornamentation. Several red and yellow flowers share the grassy area. Bursting from the center of the quilt is the tree itself. It sprouts two large blue flowers, several yellow smaller flowers and bears a bunch of red berries.

The stitching on this quilt is beautiful. The background of the trees is stitched in tiny squares, the central motif is framed in fish scale stitches, feathered stitching runs along the vertical sides of the quilt.

The tree of life is an ancient motif, one that stretches back into Genesis in the Bible, and early Norse Mythology. It is thought to be life-giving, as the name implies. It not only represents strength and the possibility for growth, but it also connotes harmony between the earth and the heavens. The Tree of Life motif, in many and varied forms, first became popular in quilts when merchants returned from India with textiles that featured the design. While it may have lost its meaning to modern quilters, it is nevertheless a beautiful quilt.