This quilt first appeared in the December 1951 "Woman's Day" magazine. Soon after Ms. Peto donated the quilt to the Shelburne Museum in Vermont, a folk art museum founded a few years earlier by Electra Havemayer Webb. The crib sized quilt (39" x 49") has 35 three inch applique flower blocks set on point surrounded by 48 nine patches. The outer borders include broderie perse bouquets as well as 1" squares set on point.

The flower block patterns and construction methods have been documented by Froncie Quinn. That pattern can be purchased from Hoopla Patterns. They specialize in museum quilt reproductions and have a nice historic collection of authentic reproduction patterns.

This is my second reproduction quilt. In September of 2007 I completed the Dear Jane Quilt made in 1863 by Jane Stickle. I finished this quilt called Indoor Garden in December 2008. It is hand appliquéd, machined pieced, and hand quilted with a wool batting that helps the flowers pop.

Marcie's Indoor Garden

We have a group of friends in Central Arkansas who are using Ms. Peto's quilt as inspiration to make their own version of a Calico Garden. It has been fun to see how the different members of the Calico Gardeners have decided to make the quilt.

Lorraine Hofmann is staying true to most the original block designs but sewing her flowers onto black fabric for a dramatic effect.

Irma Gail Hatcher made some of the blocks from the quilt but has enhanced hers by adding some of the more intricate flowers from her Conway Album (I'm Not From Baltimore) Quilt.

Phyllis Holder is using 30's reproduction fabrics to make a delightful Calico Garden.

Elaine Walizer is making a bed-sized quilt. Since the small flowers don't really lend themselves alone to a 9" block she has redrawn the flowers and added more details.

Charlotte Skinner wanted to take advantage of the fact that her sewing machine can also embroider. Check out her unique take on the Calico Garden Quilt.

Kay Handlang completed her six blocks several years ago. Inspired by the group she is going to add three more blocks to finish a small Calico Garden.

Mary Lee Sparks is going to make an Irish Chain around her blocks.

Donna McConnell has already finished three Calico Garden inspired quilts. She is working an amazing broderie perse border for a fourth one that will be laid out like the original quilt. Check out the details of what I call Donnappliqué.

Elaine Houston has made her 3" blocks on black fabric. Unlike Lorraine, her nine patches are made with all printed fabrics.

Get more information on these quilts as well as others I have made at thebluecatcreations.com.

Below are my interpretations of the original Calico Garden blocks. Mine are the same size as the original blocks but I have not always stayed true to the original flower designs.