Fruitorama

Frances Abell Brand developed a love of sewing at an early age. This, coupled with her mastery of a variety of early American decorative art techniques, has inspired her to create more than 85 quilts. Though she made a quilt to commemorate her marriage in 1939 and a few more as the family grew, the time for her most accomplished work was not to begin for many years.

The central image and four smaller images in the inner border are theorem paintings, created with layers of stencils on velvet. The technique became popular in the 1800s as it was taught in girl’s academies. Frances learned the technique while a member of The Historical Society of Early American Decoration.

“I love to look at and examine antique quilts,” writes Frances. “They create warmth and a sense of comfort. I appreciate the artistry, creativity, and workmanship demonstrated by the early quilt makers. They created beautiful quilts by doing much with little.”