2016
Quilter’s Chronicles
2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail
Quilter’s Chronicles
ABOUT THE PROJECT ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. PAGE 2
ABOUT THE PROJECT MANAGER ....................................................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 2
ABOUT THE AUTHOR .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. PAGE 3
QUILTING FUN .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 4
THE GARDENS
CONCORD MALL / “1920 INDIAN PAINTBRUSH” .......................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 5
COPPES COMMONS / “1884 RAILROAD” ......................................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 6
DAS DUTCHMAN ESSENHAUS / “1937 INDIAN STAR” ................................................................................................................................................. PAGE 7
DUTCH COUNTRY MARKET / “1841 HEARTS & FLOWERS” ......................................................................................................................................... PAGE 8
DUTCH VILLAGE MARKET / “1897 BOX CAR” .................................................................................................................................................................. PAGE 9
ELKHART CENTRAL PARK / “1966 MORNING STAR” ..................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 10
ELKHART COUNTY 4-H FAIRGROUNDS / “1933 FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE” .................................................................................................................. PAGE 11
ELKHART COUNTY COURTHOUSE / “1906 GOSHEN” .................................................................................................................................................. PAGE 12
ELKHART COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM / “1914 DUCK PADDLE” ....................................................................................................................... PAGE 13
GLORY GARDENS / “1930 NINE PATCH STAR”.................................................................................................................................................................. PAGE 14
KRIDER GARDEN / “1932 CROSS ROADS” ........................................................................................................................................................................ PAGE 15
LINTON’S ENCHANTED GARDENS / “1975 CARD TRICK” ............................................................................................................................................ PAGE 16
TULIP TREE AT MARTIN ACE HARDWARE / “1981 INDIAN SUNBURST” ................................................................................................................. PAGE 17
NAPPANEE CENTER / “1932 WHIRLGIG” ........................................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 18
OLD BAG FACTORY / “1930 OLD WINDMILL”................................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 19
PREMIER ARTS, DOWNTOWN ELKHART / “BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA INSPIRED BY 1920 DOGWOOD” ....................................... PAGE 20
RUTHMERE MUSEUM / “1895 CROSSED CANOES” ....................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 21
WAKARUSA / “1895 STAR PUZZLE” .................................................................................................................................................................................... PAGE 22
WEAVER FURNITURE SALES / “1930 INDIANA PUZZLE” .............................................................................................................................................. PAGE 23
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The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
About the Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail
Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail is an innovative, creative, one-of-a-kind experience designed to interest a wide-range of
audiences and promote the area as a premier visitor destination. It offers a variety of opportunities for partnerships with local
businesses and communities and creates widespread community involvement.
The project was initiated as a concept by the Elkhart County, IN Convention & Visitors Bureau (ECCVB) in early 2006 and tested in 2007
with 2 pilot locations. 2016 is the ninth year for the season-long attraction that continues to grow and now features 19 quilt gardens
and 21 artist rendered quilt murals presented in seven communities along the Heritage Trail driving tour, viewable annually May 30 to
October 1.
Recognizing the importance and value of high quality in both the gardens and murals displayed, each garden and mural is required
to meet ten standards and related product/service specifications. Based on those standards, all official sites and patterns are juried
into the program by a committee that includes landscapers, designers, horticulturists, growers, quilters, and park professionals. Official
garden partners are responsible for performing all of the work necessary to plant and maintain the gardens throughout the season.
The Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail has garnered national media attention and draws significant audience interest from three
of the largest hobby groups in the nation – gardeners, quilters and photographers. It has also been favorably received by the group
motor coach audience, having been named an American Bus Association (ABA) Top 100 Event in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
and 2015.
“Like” us on Facebook to get weekly Quilt Garden photo udpates: https://www.facebook.com/QuiltGardensTour
Download the ‘Heritage Trail Adventures’ app from your app store for great restaurants, stellar attractions and events!
Sonya L. Nash, Project Manager, Elkhart County CVB
It is often times said that creating anything worthwhile takes time, money and a lot of
effort. The Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail embodies that statement. This project
would not have started, nor would it have continued with such success, without the
great team at the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau (ECCVB) and our
community partners.
The ECCVB leadership and staff work year-round to plan, prepare and promote
this project. Countless man hours including graphic design, website updates,
ad placements, journalist inquiries, group tour planning, and yes, even paying the bills
and answering the phones all occur under the parameters of the ECCVB.
At the same time, more than 200 volunteers in 7 cities and towns do the same for their
sites and businesses. They work on soil content, site beautification, planting, weeding
and maintaining gardens for four months, sometimes during difficult weather
conditions, doing their part in welcoming visitors.
Elkhart County, IN Visitor Center
219 Caravan Drive | Elkhart, IN
w: AmishCountry.org
p: 800.262.8161
e: [email protected]
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My role is to keep everyone working together on the same page while steering this
project in a positive future direction. Over 9 years, we have learned through trial and
error a multitude of things about transforming quilt designs into living gardens that
flourish throughout the viewing season. Educational sessions, working with garden
experts and experimenting with plant types are all part of the event too. While
gardening can be a science, we have learned that sometimes Mother Nature overrules
our efforts to excel, and sometimes we are amazed at how our plans come to fruition
in a fantastic way.
Yes, the Quilt Gardens Project is a work of art. It’s also A LOT of work involving A LOT
of people. It has become an annual event in our destination that our residents love to
share with visitors. Definitely it’s time, money and effort well spent and enjoyed by all.
We look forward to your visit and hope you return time and again as we continue to
learn and grow along with our gardens.
PAGE 2
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
Mary Davis, Quilter’s Chronicles Author
Gold 1000 Level Master Gardener & Indiana Master Naturalist
As a little girl, Mary had her own corner of the family garden and
loved to sew with her mother. When she was twelve, she decided
she wanted to make a Sunbonnet Sue quilt. Rather than laugh,
her mom helped her pick out fabric from scraps (her mom made
most of her clothes) and she appliqued the first square.
Tragically, Mary’s mother died less than a year later and the quilt
obviously was forgotten. Mary’s life became busy with college,
marriage, law school and practicing law with her husband.
Sometimes “what goes around, comes around” can be good and
in 2003 Mary became a Master Gardener. In 2004 she took a
beginning quilting class through adult education. Both old loves
were renewed, so Mary was thrilled to become involved in the
Quilt Gardens by researching the history of the quilts.
She retired at the end of 2010 after 36 years of practicing law, but combined quilts, gardening and talking
by becoming a step-on bus guide for Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail. She figured this was her perfect
retirement job - having been a lawyer, she loves to talk and she says this way she has a captive audience!
Be sure to download the 2015 Master Gardener Guidebook!
Every Quilt Garden has its own intricate pattern, many are original
designs, and each has its own unique story. The Master Gardener
Guidebook gives you detailed information about each garden
focusing on plants and gardening tips.
Vickie Estep, Master Gardener Guidebook Author
Gold 2000 Level Master Gardener
2016
Master Gardener
Guidebook
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Gardening is part of my makeup. My interests seem to
grow right along with my gardens. I began helping in my
grandmothers garden as a very young child and in 2006 I
took my love of gardening to a whole new level. I enrolled
in the Purdue Master Gardener training class. I love learning and have always
been intrigued by science. I made many new like-minded friends and found a
new voice for my passion. A voice that ultimately led to an opportunity to write
the Master Gardener Guidebook for Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail.
PAGE 3
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
Quilting Fun
Almost everyone who starts quilting quickly amasses fabric, usually called their “stash.” If you need some
support for buying quilting fabric, here are some suggestions:
•
Fabric has no cholesterol, fat or calories
•
Closets of fabric act as insulation, keeping your house cooler in summer and warmer in winter
•
Buying fabric is cheaper than seeing a therapist (well, usually)
•
A meteor could strike the manufacturer and I couldn’t get anymore
(or they might discontinue the pattern)
•
It helps the economy during a recession (it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it)
•
Buying fabric is more calming than seeing a psychiatrist
•
Fabric requires no refrigeration or freezing, so it helps the environment by reducing electricity
•
Fabric doesn’t require cooking
•
Fabrics don’t need to be fed, walked, wiped, read to, sung to sleep or require back rubs
•
Dust doesn’t collect under fabrics, which is a good reason to store them on the dining room table
•
There may never be another sale
•
My dog (cat, devil) made me do it
•
Someday I am sure I will use it
•
Fabrics are not illegal, fattening or immoral
•
The price was too good to pass up
•
Bolts of fabric provide good traction by adding weight to the back seat or trunk of your car
•
Whoever dies with the biggest stash wins!
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PAGE 4
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
B3
SIZE: Vodka Bronze Leaf Red Begonia
Snow Crystals Alyssum
Safari Orange Marigold
Safari Yellow Marigold
Prism Yellow Petunia
Stone Pavers
Stone Pavers
Concord Mall
3701 S Main Street (US 33) | Elkhart, IN
Elkhart
“1920 Indian Paintbrush” - Concord Mall
30’W X 30’H
This design is named after the beautiful Indian paintbrush wildflower
common in the American southwest. There is a legend about how
this flower came to be: A young Indian boy named Gopher is sad
because he is smaller than the other boys and cannot run, shoot and
hunt with them. A wise shaman assures him that he has another
talent. The boy dreams that he is to record his tribe’s history by
painting and that he will paint a picture “as pure as the colors in the
evening sky.” He sets to work but cannot find the right colors to
capture the sunset. Then one night a voice tells him that the paint
will be provided. True to the shaman’s word, the next day Gopher
finds brushes sticking out of the ground filled with colors that will
capture the beautiful sunset. When his painting is finished, he returns
the brushes to the ground. The following morning, people woke to
find the countryside covered with bright flowers as the paintbrushes
took root and produced beautiful red, yellow and orange blooms.
Everyone rejoiced and renamed the boy He-Who-Brought-the
-Sunset-to-the-Earth.
When researching this quilt pattern, a number of appliqued and
embroidered quilts (made from computer-generated patterns on
sewing machines capable of doing embroidery) actually included
this wild flower. The pattern used here and featured in Barbara
Brackman’s book, Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, attributes
the design to Prudence Penny. It seems Prudence Penny was actually
named Bernice Edington who was the woman’s pages editor for the
Seattle Post Intelligencer. Apparently one of her more well-known
collections was the “Patchwork Zoo.” Barbara wrote a book featuring
these designs, and indicated Prudence had a strange combination
of piecing and applique, but apparently didn’t know much about
stitching which made her patterns challenging. It looks like piecing
in the graphic design of this quilt garden doesn’t it? But look at all
those curves! It looks like Prudence might have been aware of the
legend, as the spokes really do evoke the image of paintbrushes.
Providing great shopping and food for over 40 years, Concord Mall
proudly hosts national retailers as well as exciting boutique shops
and eateries all under one convenient roof. There’s also fun for the
entire family with exciting events planned weekly. Each year,
Concord Mall hosts a show by the American Dahlia Society, and its
past Quilt Gardens have honored or featured this flower. Once again,
the Dahlia Society has joined the mall in choosing this pattern to
honor the area’s original native sons.
w: ShopConcordMall.com
p: 574.875.6502
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PAGE 5
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
A6
SIZE: Cocktail Vodka Bronze Leaf Red Begonia
Dreams Midnight Blue Petunia
Wizard Yellow Coleus
Hawaii Blue Ageratum
White Rock
Turf Grass
Nappanee
“1884 Railroad” - Coppes Commons
30’W X 30’H
Few of us remember that the railroad was once the primary mode of
transportation in the country. The location of rail lines could literally
make or break a city. In 1874, the B&O railroad was rapidly moving east,
and competition for access was keen. There was an air of expectancy
in the bustling community of Locke. However, in December 1874, a
group of local landowners platted and surveyed the village of
Nappanee (just south of Locke) and began an aggressive campaign
for the railroad. They were successful, and Nappanee was built around
this rail line as it was more vital to build up a town that would have
shipping and traveling resources within its limits. The railroad and
depot were referred to as Nappanee Station, following the formal
founding of Nappanee in 1874. Over 60 trains a day still pass through
Nappanee reminding residents of the town’s early beginnings. The
original depot still stands just 1 ½ blocks from downtown and is on the
national Historic Register.
Two years later young entrepreneurs Frank and John Coppes
purchased a sawmill business and box factory. The railroad was
essential to their business. Soon the Coppes brothers were producing
a line of library and extension tables, bringing lumber in and shipping
the tables out via the B&O. The business expanded and became one
of the premier Hoosier Cabinet makers in the country, and at one time
shipped over 30 train car loads per month throughout the United
States. The Coppes brothers marketed theirs under the trade name
Dutch Kitchenette. Inside the Coppes building today there are several
Hoosier cabinets on display.
Coppes Commons has honored its history by choosing the Railroad
quilt pattern. This is a basic four-patch. Note that it consists of two
blocks - one four-patch and the other two triangles. This would be an
easy quilt for a beginner to piece, using the shortcuts described for
half-square triangles and sewing strips of the other two fabrics, cutting
them across and joining the squares together.
Coppes Commons enjoys new life through a retail renaissance
complete with a unique mix of artisans and eateries. Be sure to
meander upstairs for the best view of the garden. There is an
observation deck just beyond the Nappanee Kitchen Cabinet
historical display.
Coppes Commons
401 E Market Street | Nappanee, IN
w: CoppesCommons.com
p: 574.773.0002
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PAGE 6
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
F2
SIZE: Middlebury
“1937 Indian Star” - Das Dutchman Essenhaus
49’W X 57’H
This pattern shares similar lines with the 1884 Railroad garden
(See Coppes Commons) and the optical illusion effects of the
1898 Star Puzzle garden (See Wakarusa). According to Encyclopedia
of Pieced Quilt Patterns, this block appeared in the Kansas City Star
in 1937. From the fall of 1928 until 1961 the Kansas City Star
published quilt patterns, many of which were submitted by readers.
The newspaper’s rural editions reached several states throughout
the Midwest. In all, there are 1,001 classic patterns that can trace
their roots to this source.
Easy Wave Blue Petunia
Glorious Yellow Celosia
Glorious Orange Celosia
Turf Grass
This is another unequal nine-patch (See Elkhart County Historical
Museum), with a large center square, and would be an easy quilt for
a beginner as it consists entirely of squares or half-square triangles.
As the Quilt Gardens are joining in celebrating Indiana’s bicentennial,
it seems appropriate to explore some of the history of quilting,
including the derivation of the word “quilt.” According to Quilts of
Indiana, the English word is derived from the Latin culcitra, which
means a stuffed cushion or mattress, and the French words cuilte,
cotra or coutre which evolved into “counterpoint” or “counterpane.”
Again, Latin is involved, as the Latin pannus means a piece of cloth,
hence the “pane.” Counterpane is a generic term for a coverlet or
cloth.
Das Dutchman Essenhaus is a popular stop for both locals and
visitors. Of particular interest for quilters is the on-site Quilt Shop,
stocked with fabric, patterns and quilts for sale and inspiration.
Not far from the shop, the Double Wedding Ring quilt mural is on
display. The adjacent Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center also
features the Double Wedding Ring pattern in its carpeting and wall
hangings.
The restaurant at Das Dutchman Essenhaus is the largest in the
state of Indiana. Don’t leave without a piece of their outstanding
fresh made pie. They serve over 30 delicious varieties. The restaurant,
along with the rest of the vast Essenhaus campus, is family owned
and operated. It grew over 40+ years from a truck stop called the
Curve Inn to its present status as a major attraction hosting visitors
from around the world.
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
240 US 20 | Middlebury, IN
w: Essenhaus.com
p: 800.455.9471
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PAGE 7
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
F2
SIZE: Silver Falls Dichondra
Vista Bubblegum Supertunia
Curley Leaf Parsley
Red Supertunia
Boy Yellow Marigold
Gin Bronze Leaf Pink Begonia
Brown Mulch
Turf Grass
Middlebury
“1841 Hearts & Flowers” - Dutch Country Market
45’W X 45’H
Dutch Country Market boasts hordes of honey and oodles of
noodles that the Norman Lehman family produces in Middlebury.
It is owned and operated by Norm and Katie Lehman and their
six children. Stop in on any given day and you’ll see an Amish
enterprise where the workers are busy bees, literally. Katie and her
crew make noodles from scratch on site. If you get their early in the
morning, you may see them at work through the display window
and in the afternoon that day’s efforts drying on racks. They produce
approximately 24 tons of noodles annually. Also for sale are Norm’s
homemade honey products (Beekeeping is just one of many hats
Norm wears). Year-round, inside Dutch Country Market, the Lehman’s
display an enclosed observation beehive filled with working bees
and honey where honey products are produced each year. It doesn’t
get much fresher than from the hive to the jar.
Interestingly, the Lehman’s chose a very pretty quilt pattern this year,
but not a traditional Amish pattern. Norm said he likes the name,
thought it was a beautiful design and was ready for the challenge
of realizing a pattern based on applique. Unlike pieced patterns,
which most of the gardens are based on, applique does not involve
careful fitting of seams and corners, although that doesn’t mean it
is any easier. In fact, it may be more time consuming, depending on
how the applique is done.
For an appliqued quilt, pieces (such as the hearts and the parts of
the flowers in this quilt garden) are attached to a solid background.
This can be done by hand applique, which involves cutting out the
shapes approximately 3/16” bigger than the finished design and
then turning the edge under while blind stitching around the
design. Quilt catalogs often feature precut shapes such as hearts in
a variety of fabrics, which can save a lot of time. There are several
methods of machine appliquéing as well. Fancy computer
embroidery machines can be programmed to attach the fusible
webbed pieces, using a variety of stitches if desired.
One might think that with all the talk of machine applique that this
is a new technique, but Quilts of Indiana, a book detailing the work
of the Indiana Quilt Registry Project, indicates the earliest quilts they
found in Indiana featured roderie perse.
Dutch Country Market
11401 CR 16 | Middlebury, IN
w: amishcountry.org/things-to-do/
shopping/dutch-country-market-1/
p: 574.825.3594
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One final note, when asked if there was any particular message he
wished to share with visitors, Norm said, “Tell them if they see a weed
in the quilt garden, be sure to pull it!”
PAGE 8
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
A6
SIZE: Middlebury
“1897 Box Car” - Dutch Village Market
30’W X 30’H
Like Coppes Commons, Dutch Village Market incorporates a railroad
theme into its Quilt Garden pattern. Box Car is a very old pattern,
originating from the Ladies Art Company catalogue in 1897. The
simple design is categorized as a square in a square and is built into
a larger block by adding additional shapes. In this case, triangles and
a parallelogram that is a double of the triangle piece, flipping one
over. It would be a very easy pieced quilt block. To build a quilt top
from quilt squares the quilter usually adds sashing which are strips
joining each block together.
Dreams Midnight Petunia
Silver Dust Dusty Miller
Dreams Red Petunia
Brown Mulch
Turf Grass
There are two parts to making a quilt. The second part is what really
is referred to by the verb form of “quilt.” It involves fastening the quilt
top and a backing, which may also be pieced, but tends to be solid.
Usually a layer of batting is added between the two fabrics, which
provides warmth and texture. The “fastening” may be accomplished
by hand-stitching, using a tiny running stitch that goes through all
the layers, or machine quilting or a long-arm quilter, a rather
expensive machine that utilizes computer technology to stitch the
layers together using a variety of patterns.
Many, probably most, quilters today use a sewing machine to do
the piecing, including Amish-made quilts. Many Amish ladies still use
a treadle sewing machine, a traditional wedding gift from a groom
to his bride. You can still get a hand-sewn Amish quilt (Ask for
references when visiting quilt shops in the area). Hand quilting takes
up a lot of space (the pictures of a sweet seamstress holding a lap
frame stitching away at a quilt are pretty much a fantasy). Typically,
the layers are all stretched on a frame that allows continuous
quilting without stopping and starting and greatly improves the
finished product. Since it usually takes a while for a quilt to be handquilted, the frame is usually set up where life can go on around it.
The Dutch Village Market is a treasure hunter’s treat and boasts
70,000 square feet brimming with hand-crafted products, solid wood
furniture, antiques, gifts and more. They even have an Amish-owned
restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch. It’s a great place to meet for
a cup of “Joe” and a cinnamon roll.
Dutch Village Market
700 N Tomahawk Trail | Nappanee, IN
w: DVillageMarket.com
p: 574.773.2828
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PAGE 9
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
B2
SIZE: Elkhart
“1966 Morning Star” - Elkhart Central Park
40’W X 40’H
Central Park’s Quilt Garden is planted and tended by the City of
Elkhart’s Building & Grounds Department. Two of their employees
have traditionally selected the pattern for this site guided by an
overriding principle: KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Thus, they have
chosen the Morning Star design based on its simplicity but added
interest by incorporating layers to give it a three-dimensional look.
Wave Pink Petunia
Antigua Yellow Marigold
Silver Dust Dusty Miller
Wizard Velvet Red Coleus
Brown Mulch
Turf Grass
Some historians believe the Morning Star quilt pattern is related to
the Plains Indians who were introduced to quilt making by
missionaries in the late 1800s. However, the Morning Star was a
motif that the Indians used earlier on animal hides for clothing and
bedding. It represented the morning star of Venus which was part of
their religious practices. Others have cited it as being related to the
Christian tradition, quoting Revelations 22:16, “I, Jesus, have sent my
angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root
and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
Morning Star is a very popular name for a variety of quilt patterns.
The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns features fourteen
different blocks called “Morning Star.” Barbara Brackman’s
Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns has twenty. In addition, both
point to dozens (yes dozens) of other names for this pattern. Most,
but not all, of these quilts feature, as this one, eight pointed stars.
However, there are some hexagon patterns, featuring six and one
oddball pattern, with a five-pointed star. The pattern featured here is
a traditional nine-patch and would be pieced, although the curved
edges for the four corner points might also suggest a combination
of piecing and applique.
Central Park is at the heart of downtown’s Arts & Entertainment
District. It’s flanked by Elkhart’s RiverWalk and popular attractions
including the historic Lerner Theatre. As a result, many visit this
garden site, some year after year. The grounds crew enjoys the
social interaction with these visitors, especially those from outside the
country. Of course locals love it too - including ducks from the nearby
Elkhart River, who consider the setting a nice nursery for their babies.
Central Park’s Quilt Gardens have been home to more than one family
of these feathered friends!
Elkhart Building & Grounds Department
Waterfall Drive & Franklin Street
Elkhart, IN
w: ElkhartIndiana.org
p: 574.295.7275
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While you’re downtown, be sure to check out “The Garden Elk” and
“Mr. Elk Goes to the Lerner,” two of the city’s creatively themed “Elks on
Parade” statues. You’ll find one at the Lerner Theatre, another on the
Indiana University campus next door. Both lead to the nearby Premier
Arts Quilt Garden, designed and maintained by the Theatre’s resident
theatre company.
PAGE 10
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
D4
SIZE: Goshen
“1933 Friendship Circle”
- Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds
20’W X 40’H
This version of Friendship Circle is listed in Barbara Brackman’s
Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns as Nine X. The Encyclopedia
indicates patterns in this category have a diagonal orientation within
the square and are divided by diagonal seams to make eight or nine
major shapes. So, it is classified as a pieced quilt as opposed to an
applique, but all those curved lines would make cutting and piecing
it a challenge. It’s definitely not an undertaking for a beginner! The
origins Brackman lists for the block are also interesting. It is attributed
to Laura Wheeler at the Old Chelsea Station Needlecraft Service, a mail
order company begun in 1933. (It turns out there was no Laura
Wheeler. It was merely a trade name - one of several - used by Old
Chelsea Station).
White Splash Hypoestes
Sunstorm Rose Vinca
Cocktail Vodka Bronze Leaf Red Begonia
Ambassador Green Leaf Pink Begonia
New Look Dusty Miller
Curley Leaf Parsley
Turf Grass
Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds &
Purdue Co-Operative Extension Service
17746 County Road 34 | Goshen, IN
w: 4HFair.org | Extension.Purdue.edu
p: 574.533.FAIR | 574.533.0554
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The Purdue Elkhart County Extension Office oversees this garden
and makes its home just steps away from it. It was created as a result
of the Smith Lever Act of 1914, that established a system of
cooperative extension services, connected to land-grant universities,
in order to inform people about current developments in agriculture,
home economics, public policy/government, leadership, 4-H,
economic development and many other related subjects. The Purdue
Extension’s mission is: “We transform lives and livelihoods through
research-based education.” The Friendship Circle Quilt Garden is a
product of four groups that showcase volunteerism in Elkhart County
and the work ethic of local residents. The groups participating in
planting and maintaining this garden are the Purdue Elkhart County
Extension Team members, the Elkhart County Extension Homemakers,
Michiana Master Gardeners and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board.
The committee for this quilt garden has usually picked designs
(often original patterns) incorporating four parts to a design and
emphasizing the color green, symbolizing “life.” No doubt this pattern
appealed to them since it meets both of those elements.
The 4-H Fairgrounds is the setting for the annual Elkhart County 4-H
Fair, one of the largest fairs in the country. It’s been a county tradition
since 1851. For ten days in July, youth-driven 4-H programs share
the spotlight with grandstand entertainment, a gleaming midway
and literally tons of fair food. Individuals can enter open class
competitions in a number of categories, and the quilting
competition is always keen. The Fairgrounds are also the site for
the Michiana Mennonite Relief sale held the last Saturday in
September. This is well worth a visit by quilters, as there is an all-day
auction featuring quilts and comforters from individuals and
Mennonite- affiliated groups. For more information about the
Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale visit www.mennonitesale.org.
PAGE 11
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
D4
SIZE: Goshen
“1906 Goshen” - Elkhart County Courthouse
20’W X 40’H
It’s fitting that the Elkhart County Courthouse has featured Quilt
Garden patterns with a patriotic theme. This stately building is home
to many government offices and the Elkhart Circuit Court. The site
continues its patriotic tradition with the Goshen Star quilt design for
their bicentennial garden. An interesting note, this pattern was
actually not named for Goshen, Indiana.
This is another Star pattern and is a pieced quilt. It’s considered an
easy quilt to make, especially if the quilter utilizes sewing blocks.
Sewing blocks are made by layering two pieces of fabric, marking
and sewing on the diagonal, then cutting 1/4” on each side of the
seam, thus creating two mirror image pieces. Of course, as pointed
out, careful measuring is key, although some quilters, including
Eleanor Burns, creator of the popular Quilt in a Day series, advocate
a different approach. She recommends sewing two blocks slightly
larger than the needed size and after sewing, trimming the pieces
with a rotary cutter to the exact measurements needed.
Cirrus Dusty Miller
Cocktail Brandy Bronze Leaf Rose Begonia
Merlin Blue Morn Petunia
Life Lime Coleus
Turf Grass
Elkhart County Courthouse
in partnership with the Goshen Chamber
of Commerce and the downtown
Economic Improvement District of Goshen
101 North Main Street | Goshen, IN
This year, the Goshen Historical Society takes over site management
for the Courthouse garden. The Society was formed in 1981 and
is eager to share Goshen’s history and stories through the Quilt
Gardens experience. A favorite piece of local lore connected to
Goshen’s storied past is located immediately adjacent to the
Courthouse Quilt Garden - the famous police booth. Folklore and
legend says it was built in the 1930s to protect the three banks on
the surrounding corners of the intersection. Although that era’s most
famous gangster, John Dillinger, was dead at the time the booth was
completed, city leaders were still concerned that Goshen, on the
direct route from Chicago to Detroit, might be threatened by other
gangsters of that era. In reality, it was built as a police and safety
building for residents.
As noted, this quilt garden is on the lawn of the Elkhart County
Courthouse which dates back to 1868. At the time, Elkhart County
Commissioners agreed to build a courthouse “appropriate to the
progress and standing of the county” and budgeted $100,000 for its
construction. That was a considerable expenditure at the time. Similar
projects around the state at that time were built for under $30,000.
The Magnificent 92, a book about county courthouses across
Indiana notes, “... but in the 1860s, a $100,000 courthouse was worth
a buggy ride to town.” Of course, Elkhart is one of the few counties
where many of the residents might still get to town in a buggy today!
w: ElkhartCountyIndiana.com
w: Goshen.org
p: 574.533.2102
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
PAGE 12
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
D1
SIZE: Bristol
“1914 Duck Paddle” - Elkhart County
Historical Museum
30’W X 30’H
Quilt-making was evolving as Indiana sought statehood in 1816.
The cotton gin introduced textile making to America, and the cotton
plantations of the south provided the raw materials. Women still spun
and wove their own fabrics, but being able to purchase ready-made
material greatly reduced these time-consuming tasks.
Picasso in Pink Supertunia
Hawaii Blue Ageratum
Lime Delight Coleus
Ambassador Green Leaf White Begonia
Black Mulch
Stone Pavers
In 1853, the sewing machine was invented, obviously an incredible
step forward. Barbara Brackman, a noted quilt expert, indicates quilt
styles changed dramatically around 1890 as the Industrial Revolution
ushered in what she refers to as “Fabric of the Machine Age.” Synthetic
dyes had been introduced and multicolored printing became possible
on cylinder machines. At the same time, newspapers and women’s
magazines began to produce patterns for quilts.
The Ladies Art Company of St. Louis, established in 1889, was among
the first to collect and assign names to quilt patterns and compile
them into a printed catalog. This took quilt making out of the world
of folk art and into the business of commercial publishing. The Goose
Tracks pattern appeared in their 1897 catalog, but like most
quilting patterns from our rich heritage, it can also be found under
many other names (Including Lily Pond, Crossroads, Dove at the
Crossroads, Pride of Italy, Duck Paddle, Fanny’s Fan, Flying Darts,
Bluebirds Flying, Dove in the Window, Sage Bud, Fancy Flowers, Lily
Corners, and Crows Foot. Whew!). No matter the name, it is a
wonderfully variable pattern and can have many different looks depending on color placement.
The particular pattern utilized for this quilt block was published in
1914. It is a traditional pieced block and a variation of a nine-patch. It
is referred to as an unequal nine patch, but look and you can certainly
see the three squares across and three down. One of the challenges
of this pattern is joining pieces on the bias as fabric cut on the bias
tends to stretch.
Elkhart County Historical Museum
304 West Vistula Street | Bristol, IN
w: ElkhartCountyParks.org
p: 574.848.4322
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
The Elkhart County Historical Museum was the first consolidated
school corporation in Elkhart County. It opened in 1904 and
eventually housed all 12 grades, graduating their first class of six in
1907. Duck Paddle seems an appropriate pattern for the museum as
it sits on the banks of the St. Joseph River and thus is home to flocks
of ducks. There are over seventy antique quilts and coverlets in the
Museum’s collections, many of which are on display. The museum
also reminds us that quilts are more than decorative and do more
than keep people warm. Throughout history, quilts have been used
to communicate social status, demonstrate skills and artistry, respond
to societal concerns, and even serve as silent protests.
PAGE 13
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
G3
SIZE: Shipshewana
“1930 Nine Patch Star” - Glory Gardens
32’W X 32’H
Two very popular quilt patterns are the Nine-Patch (an easy quilt for
beginners) and the Star (for its striking designs). What could make
more sense than to combine the two? But try searching online and
you will get a multitude of designs that seem to share little more than
a name.
Bada Boom Bronze Leaf Scarlet Begonia
Bada Bing Green Leaf White Begonia
Indigo Charm Blue Supertunia
Durango Yellow Marigold
Black Mulch
Turf Grass
This particular quilt is an unequal nine-patch. It has four mirror
images, each of four patches, located in all corners with center
sections featuring back-to-back Flying Geese squares and a small
center square. The pattern dates back to 1930 and shows the
evolution of quilting designs. Its original rendition was featured in
the periodical Hearth & Home and called the “Minnesota.” It next
appeared in 1961 in the Kansas City Star, but expanded from a
nine-patch to essentially a 25- patch! It added an extra two blocks
on the side and bottom, repeating the center star four times. This
pattern was called “Square of Diamonds,” which indeed it was. Twenty
years later, Quilting magazine published it under the name “Nine
Patch Variations.” Confusion would be understandable - so many
names, so many patterns! It also shows the history of quilting in
microcosm. Patterns were initially ordered through the mail, then
published in newspapers.
Glory Gardens is a 13-acre farm and greenhouse operated by the
Yoder’s, an Amish family comprised of mom, dad and 6 children.
They grow peaches, apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, raspberries
and rhubarb which they sell at their store along with flowers,
homemade jams and jellies. Naturally, the Yoder’s are growing the
annuals for their Quilt Garden and early this spring they were busy
planting seeds in one of their many greenhouses.
Glory Gardens
2190 S 900 W | Topeka, IN
w: AmishCountry.org
p: 260.768.7800
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
Since the Yoder’s are from the Amish culture, perhaps we should
clarify what exactly is considered an “Amish” quilt? Rebecca Haarer,
a Shipshewana quilt shop owner and local expert, distinguishes two
different styles of quilts, all referred to as “Amish quilts.” The first of
these is a true Amish quilt, made by the Amish for their personal use.
These are usually made in very traditional patterns (or one of their
own design) and made from solid color fabrics, quite often in dark
colors. Next is the Amish-made quilt for the general public. This is
a quilt made by Amish women, but intended for sale and may
incorporate prints and pastels. There are several places in and around
northern Indiana where you can purchase them. Some of these quilts
are still made from solid color fabrics but in a rainbow of colors and
if an intricate pattern is used, you may do a double take before you
realize the pieces are all solid.
PAGE 14
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
E2
Middlebury
“1932 Cross Roads” - Krider Garden
SIZE: 20’W X 40’H
Cross Roads is yet another quilt name that is applied to dozens of
different patterns. You could say it’s evocative of Humpty Dumpty in
Through the Looking Glass: “When I use a word, it means just what
I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.”
This particular version of Cross Roads is listed in Encyclopedia of
Pieced Quilt Blocks as a four- patch and is attributed to Nancy Cabot.
So who was Nancy Cabot? She wrote a daily newspaper column for
the Chicago Tribune in the 1930s. It was typical for newspapers at
that time to share quilt blocks with their readers. Each day a single
quilt block was featured that included an illustration of the block,
when and/or where it originated and colors and fabrics commonly
used. In the Sunday Tribune, Cabot reviewed the patterns for that
week. A pattern was offered for sale for each block for “5 cents in
stamps or coin.”
Curley Leaf Parsley
Hawaii Blue Ageratum
Premium Accent Deep Orange Impatiens
Premium Accent Rose Impatiens
Premium Accent White Impatiens
Black Mulch
Stone Pavers
Nancy Cabot is the pen name of Loretta Leitner Rising. She was
born in Illinois around 1906. Her 32-year career with the Chicago
Tribune began in the 1920s. She was promoted to the position of
Needlework Editor and columnist in the 1930s writing patterns for
knitting, crocheting, embroidery and quilting. This block dates back
to 1932 which would have been right in the middle of her career.
An interesting note: The very next year (1933) Middlebury resident,
Vernon Krider, who developed a thorn-less rose and operated a mail
order nursery business, displayed a large garden at the Chicago
World’s Fair. Afterward, he brought pieces of that exhibition back
to Middlebury and donated them to the Parks Department. This
was the start of Krider “World’s Fair” Gardens. You’ll want to get your
picture taken by the giant blue windmill from this historic display to
commemorate your visit.
The best spot for viewing this garden is to walk up the hill to the
paved path, but do be careful. It’s part of the Pumpkinvine Trail, a
seventeen-mile bike path that connects Goshen, Middlebury and
Shipshewana. It’s very popular with locals, including the Amish,
who frequently use bicycles as a principle source of transportation.
Krider Garden
302 West Bristol Avenue (County Road 8)
Middlebury, IN
w: MiddleburyIN.com
p: 574.825.1499
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
PAGE 15
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
C2
SIZE: Elkhart
“1975 Card Trick” - Linton’s Enchanted Gardens
66’W X 32’H
This year, Linton’s has selected the Card Trick pattern. Although
nine-patch is one of the oldest and simplest pieced quilt designs
(it was published as early as 1897 by The Ladies Art Company), this
variation is of recent origin and dated 1975. In its simplest form, a
nine-patch is simply nine squares sewn together in three rows of
three. Assuming two (A & B) fabrics are used, the quilter first sews
long strips of ABA and another of BAB. These can then be sliced
cross-wise and the (now) three strips of three blocks are each sewn
together. Most pieced quilts have short cuts and are first assembled
as squares and then the squares are combined to produce the final
product. There are literally dozens of variations.
Celebrity Deep Rose Petunia
Hawaii Blue Ageratum
Celebrity Salmon Petunia
Obsession Pink Verbena
MAR_AF Vanilla Marigold
Antiqua Gold Marigold
Victoria Blue Salvia
Celebrity White Petunia
Janie Pale Yellow Marigold
Turf Grass
It may not look like it at first glance, but this is actually an equal
nine-patch which makes use of lots of half-square triangles (see
Elkhart County Historical Museum). However, unlike the description
contained there, the blocks do not use mirror image units and thus
quick piecing will not work and some deviation is required. Therefore,
it would need to be assembled triangle by triangle. The traditional
Card Trick quilt block might seem difficult, but by cutting and sewing
its patches systematically, one will find it goes together easily.
The standard quilting seam allowance is 1/4”. It is important to decide
how to treat seam allowances to minimize bulk. The two alternatives
are to press the seam open or to press to one side. If they are pressed
to the side, alternate sides are used, so that when the pieces are
joined they have seam allowances from one piece on one side, and
the other piece alternating. It is very important for the quilter to keep
careful tabs on how the blocks will be joined so that they will match.
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens was founded in 1982 as a small
landscape company. Since then, it has expanded to include a gift
shop, floral division, Garden Café and fun attractions and activities for
the entire family to enjoy. The garden shop/nursery covers nine acres
of trees, shrubs, bedding plants and garden accents. See it all on foot
or ride the train through the grounds. Linton’s Quilt Garden is one of
the largest. View it from the raised bridge - also a beautiful backdrop
for a group photo.
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens
315 County Road 17 | Elkhart, IN
w: Lintons.com
p: 888.779.9333
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
PAGE 16
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
F2
Middlebury
“1981 Indian Sunburst”
- Tulip Tree at Martin ACE Hardware
SIZE: 30’W X 30’H
This is one of the more modern designs among the Quilt Garden sites
this year. The 1981 pattern is classed as a non-square block - regular,
geometrically shaped units, made up of more than one piece of fabric.
Other non-square blocks include triangles, hexagons, fans and wedding
rings. In fact, reviewing patterns for fans will help the quilter in laying out
and cutting pieces then replicating this design in a quilt. Harvest Sun,
from Jonathan Holstein, is very similar. Holstein published three pattern
books in the early 1970s. It came from Ladies Circle Patchwork Quilts, a
periodical which started publishing in 1973.
Dreams Red Petunia
Janie Deep Orange Marigold
Janie Bright Yellow Marigold
Treated Lumber
Turf Grass
A quilt consists of three layers. The top is pieced or appliqued. The
bottom (usually cotton) may be pieced as well, but more often is a single
section of fabric. It may be a print coordinated with the quilt top or a
plain, solid color. And the middle layer? Some early quilts actually used
straw as the middle layer. The goal of this layer, referred to as “batting,”
was to increase the warmth of the quilt. More typically, early quilting
used cotton or wool wadding for batting. Quilting stitches were done in
straight lines close together to hold the wadding in place. Stearns and
Foster began making cotton batting for quilts in 1846 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Their batting was clean and seedless (early batting usually contained
cotton seeds, often used to date early quilts) and came in large sheets. In
the 1920s, to boost their batting sales, Stearns and Foster started placing
printed pattern instructions in their Mountain Mist Cotton Batting. They
also renamed many of the patterns, using what they felt were “colonial”
names since such designs were popular at the time. This certainly
confounded later quilt historians. Today, most batting is polyester,
although the cotton variety is still available.
While visiting this garden, you might want to look at the mural on the
side of the hardware building. The Martins are very patriotic and their
past Quilt Garden patterns have all tended to be red, white and blue.
The mural, titled Small Town America, was chosen to represent the
Martins’ commitment as business owners to provide their customers as
many American-made products as possible. Incidentally, while you are
here, you might want to step inside the store as well. It isn’t exactly what
you might expect to find in a “hardware” store and includes a lovely gift
shop with soaps, candles, gourmet food mixes, clothing, baby items and
too many other things to mention. While it is an “ACE” hardware, it is
independently owned as a family business.
Tulip Tree at Martin ACE Hardware
103 Crystal Heights Blvd | Middlebury, IN
p: 574.825.7011
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
PAGE 17
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
A6
Nappanee
“1932 Whirlgig” - Nappanee Center
SIZE: 30’W X 30’H
The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 dramatically impacted quilt
making. Prior to the ready availability of cloth, purchases of material were
very dear. Patches from existing garments might preserve or mend and
ultimately, extend the life of clothing and bedding, both of which our
frontier mothers were responsible for. Quilts were not unknown at the
time. In fact, quilt making has been traced to the 11th century in Europe.
Ambassador Green Leaf White Begonia
Magellan Yellow Zinnias
Easy Wave Blue Petunia
Easy Wave Neon Rose Petunia
Dark Opal Basil
Stone Pavers
The Whirligig is a popular quilting pattern with hundreds of variations
that dates back to 1932. This variation is quite complex. Indeed, it does
not fit neatly into any pattern category and is included in a chapter
simply called “miscellaneous” in Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of
Pieced Quilt Patterns. Its only further distinguishing feature is that it is
built around a “square in the middle”. While it does include some
half-square triangle pieces, it is quite a complex block and best
attempted by experienced quilters, especially if they have a copy of the
original pattern and instructions!
What was Nappanee like in 1932? US Highway 6, which passes through
downtown Nappanee, was once part of the Grand Army of the Republic
Highway and officially designated a US Highway in 1932. Also in that
year, Ralph Metzler and his brother-in-law Ora Smucker were supplying
shoes for a majority of Nappanee’s families, having opened their downtown shoe store nearly a decade earlier. And the Dutch Kitchenette
(See Coppes Commons) was still being produced by the Coppes
Brothers and had become a staple in kitchens throughout the nation.
One of the most striking things about the whirligig pattern is the feeling
of movement - much like the child’s toy whirligig blowing in the wind.
Some whirligig quilts enhance this by adding a three dimensional
quality to the quilt, having the “blades” of the whirligig finished on two
sides, with the third side attached into the quilt top.
Nappanee Center
302 West Market Street | Nappanee, IN
w: NappaneeChamber.com
p: 574.773.7812
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
The gardeners at the Nappanee Welcome Center always produce a
beautiful Quilt Garden and seem to enjoy a challenge! This garden
also features a raised platform for better viewing photos. A visit inside
the adjacent Nappanee Welcome Center is always fun. Be sure to step
inside to see the small wall quilts showing past Quilt Garden patterns,
a large collection of Hoosier cabinets, antique quilts on display, the pie
plate for a seven-foot apple pie (A fixture at the annual Apple Festival in
September), a historic jail cell (a great photo opp!) and a wealth of other
fascinating information on Nappanee’s history. If you are in luck, Martha,
the docent for the museum, will be there - she loves to share Nappanee
history with visitors.
PAGE 18
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
C4
SIZE: Goshen
“1930 Old Windmill” - Old Bag Factory
29’w x 32’h
The Old Bag Factory in Goshen is housed in a complex of brick buildings
that was once home to the Cosmo Buttermilk Soap Company. In 1910 it
was purchased by the Chicago-Detroit Bag Company, which merged in
1924 with the Chase Bag Factory. Chase produced all types of cloth and
paper bags and a number of paper products, the most famous being
the slips of paper in Hershey’s Kisses. If you visit the historical room in
the complex, there are rolls of them on display.
Ambassador Green Leaf White Begonia
Picobello Blue Petunia
Picobello Carmine Petunia
Turf Grass
Today, the Old Bag Factory is a center for artisans of various products.
It is also home to a glorious Quilt Garden. This year’s features the 1930
Old Windmill, yet another quilt pattern attributed to Nancy Cabot. It
is classified as a four-patch and features half square triangles, but with
a twist - one-half square triangle is actually split. Obviously the quilter
would complete these first and then make the quick pieced blocks or
the blocks could be assembled individually.
Obviously quilt making began as a necessity - creating warm covers
for beds. With time, and the advent of mass produced fabric, sewing
machines, long-arm machines and embroidery units, quilting has
become more and more artistic. As stated in Quilts of Indiana,
“Elevating the quilt from the bed to the wall has at last laid to rest the
art-versus-craft argument. The historical importance of quilting has
been enhanced by the widespread acceptance of search and research
projects involving quilts and quilters in the United States in the last ten
years.
If you want to see true quilting as an art, stop in at Quilt Designs. It’s
right next to the Old Bag Factory’s Quilt Garden. Shirley Shenk and her
husband Dave own the shop. Early in her career, Shirley was a quilter,
creating traditional quilts. She soon grew bored and started sketching
artistic designs. Her husband, in what is undoubtedly one of the worst
pieces of business advice ever shared, told her she should stick with the
tried and true. But Shirley persisted and today, they have an incredible
shop housed in an 1897 log cabin. All quilts sold here feature designs
by Shirley or her daughter-in-law Kris. They purposely copyright each
design and do not enter shows and contests because they don’t want
anyone to copy them (and they request no photographs in their shop).
But be warned: Shirley and Dave plan to retire at the end of 2016, and
the shop will be closed permanently after this season.
Old Bag Factory
1100 North Chicago Avenue
Goshen, IN
w: OldBagFactory.com
p: 574.534.2502
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
PAGE 19
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
B2
SIZE: Cocktail Vodka Bronze Leaf Red Begonia
Blue Ray Petunia
Safari Yellow Marigold
Black Mulch
Turf Grass
Elkhart
“Back Home Again in Indiana - Inspired by 1920 Dogwood”
- Premier Arts, Downtown Elkhart
30’W X 30’H
Premier Arts is taking a 1920s era quilt, the Dogwood, and adapting it,
using colors and stars from Indiana’s state flag and a sculptured torch.
For those unfamiliar with the Indiana state flag, the Indiana Historical
Society offers the following information: “The Indiana General Assembly
adopted the Indiana state flag in 1917. The flag was designed by Paul
Hadley of Mooresville as part of Indiana’s centennial celebration flag
design contest. The flag has a blue background with yellow symbols.
The torch in the middle of the flag represents liberty and enlightenment.
The rays illustrate their far-reaching influence. There are a total of 19 stars
on the flag, with the outer circle representing the 13 colonies. The stars in
a semi-circle stand for the states admitted to the Union prior to Indiana.
The star directly above the torch symbolizes Indiana, the 19th state.” It
is interesting that the flag was adopted during the state’s centennial
celebration and this pattern is now being used to celebrate the state’s
bicentennial.
Elkhart was a happening place as it moved from the 1916 centennial
into the roaring twenties. The city became a hub for railroads, as it still
is today. On the walls next to this Quilt Garden are two murals, one a
whimsical interpretation of downtown Elkhart and the other pays
homage to Elkhart’s railroad heritage, as well as band instruments, as the
city was once recognized as the Band Instrument Capital of the World.
In 1923, Harry E. Lerner, an Elkhart businessman, announced plans to
construct a modern “theatrical palace” on the corner of Franklin and Main
Streets. It celebrated its grand opening on November 24, 1924. Over
time, the theater went through several owners and names, the last being
the ELCO, a movie theatre operated by William Miller until his death. The
City of Elkhart purchased the ELCO from William’s widow, Ruth, in 1990 in
an attempt to save the theatre from deterioration caused by vacancy.
A group of Elkhart County citizens formed a nonprofit and negotiated
with the city to operate the facility as a performing arts center. It soon
became apparent that any success would be extremely limited without
major funding for programming and repairs. A group of businessmen
became involved in 2006, and after major fundraising, the Lerner
resumed its original name and was restored and reopened in 2011 with
a complete schedule of entertainment from rock bands to orchestra
concerts to Broadway musicals planned throughout the year. As the
resident theatre company of the Lerner, Premier Arts is a recognized
regional leader in providing diverse, professional performing arts
education and entertainment.
Premier Arts
410 South Main Street | Elkhart, IN
w: PremierArts.org
p: 574.293.4469
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
The Dogwood pattern, as a quilt, would be appliqued. There are many
interpretations of the blossom, both individual and as a group. In the
springtime, there are wild and cultivated dogwoods in bloom all over
Indiana. As with appliqued quilts in general, the quilter (or quilt gardener)
uses a pattern as an inspiration for the final design interpretation.
PAGE 20
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
B2
“1895 Crossed Canoes” - Ruthmere Museum
SIZE: Super Elfin White Impatiens
Cocktail Vodka Bronze Leaf Red Begonia
Danube Blue Ageratum
Antigua Yellow Marigold
Evolution Blue Salvia
Brown Mulch
Turf Grass
Elkhart
30’W X 30’H
This year, the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau, which
sponsors the Quilt Gardens, introduced a new tack. Normally each
garden site chooses the pattern it wishes to use for their Quilt Garden,
sometimes something original that was not previously a quilt. Since
Indiana is celebrating its bicentennial and the quilt gardens are a
designated Bicentennial Legacy Project, this year, each garden site was
given a list of historic quilt patterns to choose from. 61 patterns were
selected by Diana Bennett, one of Elkhart County’s premier quilters,
with the help of a digital compendium of quilts compiled by Barbara
Brackman. It is fitting that Ruthmere chose the Crossed Canoes pattern
as the historic mansion looks over the confluence of the Elkhart and
St. Joe Rivers.
Ruthmere was built in 1910 by Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Beardsley. Mr.
Beardsley was a principal in Miles Medical Company, later known as
Miles Laboratories, the “plop-plop-fizz-fizz” makers of Alka-Seltzer,
One-a-Day vitamins, diagnostic test strips and other pharmaceuticals.
The company was long one of Elkhart’s business backbones, until it
was purchased by Bayer in 1979. The Beardsley’s named their home
Ruthmere in memory of their only child, Ruth, who died in infancy.
In fact, “Ruthmere” is translated as “Ruth by the water.”
This pattern dates back to 1895, when it was sold by the Ladies Art
Company catalog. It is known by several names: Crossed Canoes,
Santa Fe Quilt, Indian Canoes, The Dragon Fly, Twinkling Star and
Tippecanoe. Most patterns recommend that the design be paper
pieced in four units, two in exact contrast to the other two. Paper
piecing involves sewing pieces of fabric to a paper foundation
following a numerical sequence. Seam lines are then traced on the
foundation. The pieces of fabric are sewn onto the back side of this
foundation. This sewing technique allows one to work with very small
and uneven pieces with great accuracy, as all sewing takes place along
straight lines.
While you are at Ruthmere, consider a tour of the beautiful mansion.
Docents give you the history of the home and the families who lived
here. Interestingly, Mr. Beardsley had professional photographs taken
of most of the rooms of the house (certainly innovative thinking for
the time) which greatly enhanced accurate restoration of the property.
Ruthmere Museum
302 East Beardsley Avenue | Elkhart, IN
w: Ruthmere.org
p: 574.264.0330
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
PAGE 21
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
A5
Wakarusa
“1895 Star Puzzle” - Downtown Wakarusa
SIZE: 30’W X 30’H
The Star quilt pattern in its many variations is very popular and so here
we have another star and another nine-patch! In this case, an unequal
nine-patch with a large center square which dates back to 1897.
Hotline Red Salvia
Madness White Petunia
Madness Blue Petunia
Madness Red Petunia
New Look Dusty Miller
Stone Pavers
Two things struck me about this quilt. First, it looks almost like an
optical illusion. Remember doodling squares that could pop back
and forth? Secondly, it looks complicated, almost like a star in a circle.
A closer look reveals the entire block is composed of half-square
triangles. It’s the perfect quilt to use with the shortcut of layering two
squares of fabric. Simply draw a line on the diagonal and then stitch
¼” on either side and cut on the diagonal, making two mirror image
blocks. When I checked this pattern online there were two different
tacks taken and one used just two fabrics. The other utilized three
and emphasized that choosing appropriate fabrics enhanced the
optical illusion effect. You can take it one step further, using five
different fabrics/colors/patterns, as shown. If using three fabrics, you
will create three different combinations. For simplicity, we will assume
you are using one light, one medium and one dark fabric. Then you
have a light/dark, a light/medium and a medium/dark. Here, with five
fabrics (P = Pink, W = White, L = Lavender, B = Blue and Y = Yellow),
you have P/W, L/W, B/W and Y/B. This would be a great block for a
beginning quilter.
If you are a dedicated quilter and want a challenge, look at the quilt
mural immediately adjacent to Wakarusa’s Quilt Garden. Actually, the
center is not that difficult, being simply row after row of small squares
that you would add appliqued borders featuring leaves. You might
well be able to find pre-cut applique leaves from a quilt shop or you
could buy a fabric featuring leaves and “fancy cut” out the leaf shapes
and then applique using the method of your choice.
Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce
100 West Waterford Street
Wakarusa, IN
The town of Wakarusa traces its origins to 1833 when pioneers chose
the marshy lands to establish farmsteads. The mucky soil was ideal
for growing mint and at one time there were a number of mint
farms here growing for Wrigley chewing gum in nearby Chicago. The
Wabash railroad also came to Wakarusa and the historic depot can
now be visited at the Wakarusa Historical Museum. Of course, no visit
to Wakarusa would be complete without a stop at the Wakarusa Dime
store, an old fashioned candy store carrying many candies you didn’t
know were even available anymore. They’re also famous for their giant
jelly beans – be sure to ask for a free sample!
w: WakarusaChamber.com
p: 574.862.4344
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
PAGE 22
The 2016 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail Quilter’s Chronicles
G3
SIZE: Shipshewana
“1930 Indiana Puzzle” - Weaver Furniture Sales
32’W X 32’H
There are actually three Indiana Puzzle quilt patterns, and unlike
some patterns that share similarities, the three are entirely different.
This particular version, attributed to renowned quilt designer Ruby
McKim, has an interesting history.
Easy Wave Red Velour Petunia
Easy Wave White Petunia
Easy Wave Blue Petunia
Easy Wave Flag Mix
Snow Crystals White Alyssum
& Stream White Lobuloria
Black Mulch
Turf Grass
Weaver Furniture Sales
7870 W 075 N | Shipshewana, IN
w: WeaverFurnitureSales.com
p: 260.768.7730
Visit QuiltGardens.com for more information
Ruby McKim, née Ruby Short, was born July 25, 1891, in Millersburg,
Illinois. She became, before her death in 1976, one of the 20th
century’s most innovative American quilt designers. Educated at the
New York School of Fine and Applied Arts (now Parsons School of
Design), her first published quilt pattern was for the Kansas City Star
in 1916 and McKim later became one of the Star’s three quilt
illustrators and designed many patterns specifically with newspaper
publication in mind. In 1931, she published a book titled 101
Patchwork Patterns, which is still recognized as a classic. Among her
many series, one was a pattern for each state and this is the block
she created for Indiana. Many of her early designs incorporate
embroidery, but the state series appear to consist of patchwork
patterns including Indiana Puzzle which is another equal nine-patch.
The center block is surrounded by the popular half-square triangle
pieces, which could be created using the short-cut method.
An Interesting note: 2016 marks the centennial year for the publication of Ruby’s first quilt pattern.
Carolyn Miller, an Amish gardener, maintains the Weaver Furniture
Sales Quilt Garden. She lives nearby and has been the designer and
gardener there for the five years. Carolyn has completed Master
Gardener training and has quilted for years. Weaver Furniture Sales is
located on the farmstead of LeRoy and Ida Weaver. For over 25 years,
they have welcomed visitors to their large furniture showroom
- a converted dairy barn. The family takes pride in knowing that in
today’s global economy, they are able to market high quality
Amish-built furniture and at the same time help the local Amish
community.
While in the area, take time to visit the many quilt shops. These
include Lavender Patch in downtown Bristol and the Pumpkinvine
Quilt Shop and the Quilt Shop at Das Dutchman Essenhaus both in
Middlebury. Lolly’s Fabrics, located inside the Davis Mercantile and
Yoder Department Store are both in Shipshewana while Calico Point,
is located in the countryside midway between Wakarusa and Goshen.
There is also a fabric store in downtown Middlebury called Gohn
Brothers. This is more of a traditional Amish fabric store and in fact,
they carry Amish style clothing made by seamstresses upstairs.
PAGE 23