This flower type is the second repeat from her first quilt. But like the first repeat, the trillium, the flower is portrayed quite differently than the first time!
Block #6 ~ Canterbury Bells
Canterbury bells are always popular on quilts. One of the Nancy Page quilt club members told of a quilt or spread she had made which has a large spray of Canterbury bells appliqued in the centre of the spread. The flowers were held together with a large and graceful bow knot of blue.
Because Canterbury bells come in various colors Nancy suggested that these be made either in pale blue, in pale pink or lavender or that one flower be made one color and the other flower be of a different hue. A most literal minded member objected to having two flowers of different colors growing from the same stem, but Nancy reminded her that once more she was using an artist’s privilege.
Then too, she recalled the Magic Vine quilt which had as many as 11 different flowers growing from one vine.
The block is ready for the applique when the large white triangle, cut 12-1/2 by 12-1/2 by 17-1/2 had been seamed on to the triangle made of the pieced urn. The white triangle is plain until the birds and flowers have been appliqued upon it. They are placed according to the small inset drawing. The meek bird is almost hiding his head beneath one of the blossoms, but not so the saucy bird. He is pertly surveying his world and finding it good. The members followed the usual procedure.
First, they cut the pattern and directions from today’s paper. Second, they traced the flower lightly in the correct placement on the white triangle.
Third, they made another tracing on a piece of lightweight cardboard.
Fourth, they pasted the original with directions into their Nancy Page scrapbook. (This maybe made by following directions and patterns offered by this paper. Send for your copy if you do not already own it.)
Fifth, they cut the pasteboard pattern into its various parts.
Sixth, they laid these on the right pieces of material and cut them out, allowing one-quarter inch for turning under on all sides.
The bells are alike, so only one pattern need be cut.
The stem may be made from bias tape or green material similar to that used in leaves.
After turning under edges, basting and pressing the pieces are pinned in place according to the light tracery made on the white triangle.
They are then appliqued with slanting , invisible hemming stitches. The birds are appliqued. And a sixth block is finished for the beautiful and increasingly admired garden bouquet quilt.
“Garden Bouquet Quilt, block #6, canterbury bells” Newspapers.com, Edmonton Journal, January 2, 1932, https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-garden-bouquet-quilt-b/161539287/
Huh… in this story, Nancy mentions the “Magic Vine” quilt. Maybe There wasn’t a huge gap between the quilts? Maybe I missed a quilt? I will be looking into it… more to come later!
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