Basket Quilts
In the mid-19th century, pieced basket patterns became a popular motif for quiltmakers. The variety of ways we use baskets in quilts is endless, from baskets with handles to those without, appliqued with fruits and flowers or various pieced basket patterns. Throughout the life of our nation, you can find baskets used as a decorative symbol from dishes, carved mantle pieces, painting and stitched into samplers and quilts. Although we no longer use baskets in our everyday lives to carry vegetables, flowers, and other goods we still use them as containers for gifts, decorative arrangements and to piece into our beloved quilts.