Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
November 27, 1983
By Patricia F. Engelland
Vigo County Historical Society
Baby Blocks quilt is study in design
Anyone who loves quilt patterns with the artistic designs, the colors and the piecing of fabric scraps, has studied with amazement the diamond, or parallelogram piece, as it is set together to create the Baby Blocks quilt.
The historical treasure this week is the quilt pictured above showing its optical illusions created by the placement of light, medium and dark colors. The most common name for this design is Baby Blocks, but it also has been called Cube Work, Box Quilt, Stair Steps, Tumbling Blocks and Pandora’s Box.
The one on display at the museum is made of brocade, taffetas and silks. One can imagine the pieces came from ties and cravats or ball gowns and fancy dresses.
The use of the black piece combined with the lighter and medium shades creates the fascinating illusion of the different motions of the design. This pattern must be carefully pieced so that the corners come exactly together to produce the puzzling geometric effect.
The design is an ancient one, according to most quilt researchers. Not only is this effective in the dressy fabrics, but cottons and men’s shirtings produce an interesting subtle effect.
Two unusual features of the quilt are the fine quilting which follows the parallelogram form shows only on the backing, which is a bright yellow sateen fabric; and there seems to be a partial interlining of paper beneath some of the pieces.
Estimated date of the Baby Blocks quilt is 1875-1900.
This “high style” quilt was meant more as an elegant parlor or boudoir throw than the utilitarian bed covering.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.