Clara's Trip Around the World. circa 1960.
posted by O.V. Brantley | 8:00 AM
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Clara Ford Quilt Gallery
An exhibition of the quilts of Clara Ford, who lived and quilted in Crossett, Arkansas until her death in 1966. Visit www.clarafordfoundation.org for more information about African American quilts and quilters.
About Me
- Name: O.V. Brantley
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Soon after beginning to quilt, I inherited eight of my grandmother's quilts. My grandmother Clara Ford was born December 12, 1892 and died May 20, 1966. She lived and quilted in Crossett, Arkansas. My mother was one of her six children. This site is dedicated to her memory,the preservation of her quilts and the preservation of antique quilts made by African Americans. I started quilting as a way to balance the stress in a high profile job. Along the way, I found my bliss. I love the notion of putting together pieces that may be ugly standing alone, but become gloriously beautiful when made a part of the whole. I love sharing my bliss by giving my quilts to others. I am a founding member of the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild in Atlanta. The members are predominantly African American, and their unique view of color and style is a source of constant inspiration for me. I am the founder of the Clara Ford Foundation, a foundation that honors my grandmother's quilts.
Click to join clarafordfoundation
- Grandmothers and Quilts
- Clara's Big Red Squares, circa 1955.
- Clara’s Big Red Squares Quilt
- Clara's Trip Around the World. circa 1960.
- Clara’s Trip Around the World Quilt
- Clara's Big Pin Wheel. circa 1960
- Clara’s One Big Pin Wheel Quilt
- Clara's Diamond Star, circa 1960
- Clara’s Diamond Star Quilt
- Clara's Waves of the Sea, circa 1960
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Clara’s Trip Around the World Quilt
Circa 1960
69 x 75 inches
Flowered fabrics paired with plain muslin form the blocks for Clara’s Trip Around the World. Some of the fabrics appear to be feed sack prints. Over 11 different flower prints are used.
The quilt has a plain muslin back and is hand quilted in a grid pattern.
This quilt appears to be the oldest of Clara’s quilts as it is quite worn with some holes and exposed batting.
69 x 75 inches
Flowered fabrics paired with plain muslin form the blocks for Clara’s Trip Around the World. Some of the fabrics appear to be feed sack prints. Over 11 different flower prints are used.
The quilt has a plain muslin back and is hand quilted in a grid pattern.
This quilt appears to be the oldest of Clara’s quilts as it is quite worn with some holes and exposed batting.
posted by O.V. Brantley | 8:00 AM
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0 comments
Monday, June 20, 2005
Clara’s One Big Pin Wheel Quilt
circa 1960
51 x 84 inches
A giant rose colored pin wheel forms the center of Clara's One Big Pin Wheel, although it is off center. A blue flowered print provides the backdrop for the pin wheel blades.
The large pin wheel is framed by various large pieced borders with lavender and pink being the dominant colors.
Of all of Clara’s quilts, this one is the less structured and seems to have been constructed in free form.
The quilt has a muslin back and is hand quilted in a grid pattern.
51 x 84 inches
A giant rose colored pin wheel forms the center of Clara's One Big Pin Wheel, although it is off center. A blue flowered print provides the backdrop for the pin wheel blades.
The large pin wheel is framed by various large pieced borders with lavender and pink being the dominant colors.
Of all of Clara’s quilts, this one is the less structured and seems to have been constructed in free form.
The quilt has a muslin back and is hand quilted in a grid pattern.
posted by O.V. Brantley | 9:31 PM
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0 comments
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Clara’s Diamond Star Quilt
67 x 75 inches
circa 1960
Clara’s Diamond Star has 16 blocks -- 7 Lavender, yellow and red diamond star blocks, 5 lavender, white and red star blocks. Orange and lavender sashing divide the blocks. The quilt has a lavender inner border and a red outer border that forms fold-over binding. The red border is pieced with different fabric in one corner as if she ran out of the red border fabric. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern.
Clara’s Diamond Star has 16 blocks -- 7 Lavender, yellow and red diamond star blocks, 5 lavender, white and red star blocks. Orange and lavender sashing divide the blocks. The quilt has a lavender inner border and a red outer border that forms fold-over binding. The red border is pieced with different fabric in one corner as if she ran out of the red border fabric. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern.
posted by O.V. Brantley | 10:14 PM
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Clara’s Waves of the Sea Quilt
75 x 75 inches
Circa 1960
64 Waves of the Sea blocks form Clara’s Waves of the Sea. The theme is carried out with a turquoise and cream stripe color scheme. The turquoise flower fabric is used on the border and also used on the back of the quilt. The back folds over to the front of the quilt to form the binding, and it is machine stitched. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern. Some staining
Circa 1960
64 Waves of the Sea blocks form Clara’s Waves of the Sea. The theme is carried out with a turquoise and cream stripe color scheme. The turquoise flower fabric is used on the border and also used on the back of the quilt. The back folds over to the front of the quilt to form the binding, and it is machine stitched. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern. Some staining
posted by O.V. Brantley | 10:09 PM
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Clara’s Half Square Triangles Quilt
69 x 75 inches
circa 1960
20 scrappy half square triangle blocks form Clara’s Half Square Triangles. The blocks are set off by orange sashing and an orange inner border. The red outer border forms the fold-over binding. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in grid pattern. It has a plain white muslin back. The quilt is very frayed around the edges.
20 scrappy half square triangle blocks form Clara’s Half Square Triangles. The blocks are set off by orange sashing and an orange inner border. The red outer border forms the fold-over binding. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in grid pattern. It has a plain white muslin back. The quilt is very frayed around the edges.
posted by O.V. Brantley | 10:02 PM
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3 comments
Clara’s Shoo Fly Quilt
61 x 72 inches
circa 1960
Clara’s Shoo Fly consists of 15 shoo fly blocks bordered by sashing strips; Red, yellow and blue are dominant colors. There are alternating solid red squares. The quilt has a plain white muslin back. A yellow outer border forms a fold-over binding. It is hand quilted with white thread in grid pattern.
circa 1960
Clara’s Shoo Fly consists of 15 shoo fly blocks bordered by sashing strips; Red, yellow and blue are dominant colors. There are alternating solid red squares. The quilt has a plain white muslin back. A yellow outer border forms a fold-over binding. It is hand quilted with white thread in grid pattern.
posted by O.V. Brantley | 9:54 PM
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Clara’s Sunbonnet Sue Quilt
67 x 75 inches
circa 1960
Clara’s Sunbonnet Sue has 12 Sunbonnet Sue blocks with alternating solid red and white blocks. A red border frames the sides. The green outer border forms a fold-over binding. The quilt has a plain muslin back. It is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern. A buttonhole stitch used on Sue’s arm and hat.
Clara’s Sunbonnet Sue has 12 Sunbonnet Sue blocks with alternating solid red and white blocks. A red border frames the sides. The green outer border forms a fold-over binding. The quilt has a plain muslin back. It is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern. A buttonhole stitch used on Sue’s arm and hat.
posted by O.V. Brantley | 9:33 PM
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0 comments