Style Imitating Art: The Thousand Quilt by Elizabeth Shippen Green
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Terri of MeadowTree Style, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as curator, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the curator by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the curator will share all of the submissions on her blog.
You don’t have to be a blogger to join! You are invited to share your images on Instagram or other social media platforms. Just be sure to tag Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!
The Inspiration Artwork
The inspiration artwork was curated by Terri. You can read why she chose this work here.
The Thousand Quilt by Elizabeth Shippen Green (Pen and Ink Illustration, 1904)
About the Artist: Elizabeth Shippen Green
Elizabeth Shippen Green was an American illustrator born on September 1, 1871, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By the time she was 18 years old, she was making pen and ink drawings for national publications like The Ladies’ Home Journal, The Saturday Evening Post, and Harper’s Magazine as well as illustrating various children’s books. In 1901, she signed an exclusive contract with Harper’s Magazine.
Green enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1887 at the age of 16 where she studied with the painters Thomas Pollock Anshutz, Thomas Eakins, and Robert Vonnoh. She continued her art studies with Howard Pyle at Drexel Institute where she met fellow female artists Violet Oakley and Jessie Willcox Smith. These three female artists eventually formed the Red Rose Girls with friend Henrietta Cozens. They set up a living arrangement in Philadelphia’s beautiful Red Rose Inn and began referring to themselves as the Cogs family, using the first initial of each woman’s surname to create their own “family name”.
During a generation when women artists were not granted the same respect as male artists, these four women were rebels in their field yet they each commanded their own level of respectability through their art and their way of life.
In the later part of the nineteenth century, art created by women was considered inferior to that created by men. But with the emergence of the New Woman ideal, more opportunities were becoming available for female artists to make a professional living from their artwork. Artists like Green and The Red Rose Girls were instrumental in paving the way for careers in art for the female artists who came after them.
Green was also a member of The Plastic Club which was an organization established to promote “art for art’s sake”. Many of the women who founded this organization were also students of Howard Pyle and their focus was to encourage one another professionally while also creating sales opportunities for their works.
In 1911 at the age of 40, Green married architecture professor Huger Elliott and continued her illustration works including some projects in conjunction with her husband. She passed away on May 29, 1954, and was posthumously elected to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1994.
About the Art: The Thousand Quilt
“The Thousand Quilt” is a pen and ink illustration that Elizabeth Shippen Green created for the short story of the same name by Annie Hamilton Donnell. The short story with Green’s illustration appeared in the December 1904 issue of Harper’s Monthly Magazine on pages 133-137. The story also appears in a collection of short stories by Annie Hamilton Donnell called Rebecca Mary, but I cannot tell if Green’s illustration is printed in that work. If you are interested in the story which tells the tale of Rebecca Mary making a thousand piece quilt for her Aunt Olivia, you can find a video of it here. The illustration for this week’s inspiration features the image of little Rebecca Mary stitching on the final pieces of her quilt with either her Aunt Olivia standing beside her or possibly the minister’s wife who is also a main character in the story. The minister’s wife found Rebecca Mary’s quilt to be tragic rather than seeing the beauty in the colorful mismatched squares. I, on the other hand, think the quilt is gorgeous.
Resources/References:
- Elizabeth Shippen Green: Wikipedia
- American Art Archives: Elizabeth Shippen Green (Elliot) (1871-1954)
- Victorian Musings: America’s Finest: The Red Rose Girls (1863-1935)
- Read, Seen, Heard: The Thousand Quilt
- Red Rose Girls: Wikipedia
- The Lower Merion Historical Society: The Red Rose Inn and Stoke Poges
About My Outfit Inspired by The Thousand Quilt
When I first saw the artwork for this challenge, my mind went immediately to my favorite kimono which features a colorful blocky type print similar to the quilt squares in the illustration. But then I was on vacation in North Carolina and on my weekend visit to Asheville I found this amazing crocheted afghan cardigan at the adorable Traveling Chic Boutique.
I have been wanting one of these cardigans for so long but just hadn’t found the one for me…until I was almost walking out the door of this shop. I spotted the cardigans folded up like afghans. When I realized they were sweaters and not blankets, I actually squealed out loud and made kind of scene over this fabulous piece before running to the register to pay for it while murmuring under my breath, “It’s mine, mine, mine. Mine!” I also got this gorgeous beaded horn necklace in the same shop. I have been wanting to add more “Frankie” necklaces to my collection and this was just perfect.
Then it came to styling my wonderful new afghan sweater in a way that it would suit the illustration. I put together the cutest little prairie dress outfit with a black floral maxi dress that was similar in style to the woman’s white dress but the floral print picked up some of the flower patterns in the background of the drawing. The dress outfit alone was super cute but when I layered the cardigan on top of it, I quickly ended up in the land of frump and had to ditch the dress in favor of the sweater. I should have photographed the outfit without the cardigan, but I was in a hurry and quickly shed that outfit in favor of this one.
Instead I just went for the vintage vibes of the 1970s that this afghan cardigan screams for, wearing flared denim, a fitted red turtleneck sweater (to mimic the girl’s red dress), and platform boots. It is not my most detailed interpretation for Style Imitating Art, but it’s an outfit I love so much that I have already worn it twice this week. And that’s the real fun of these style challenges…creating outfits that make my heart happy and my soul smile!
What kind of styling fun have you been having lately?
Be sure to check out Terri’s interpretation of the painting as well as Salazar’s take on it. And please visit Terri on Wednesday to see her review post of outfit submissions. The new inspiration artwork for the next challenge will be announced on Monday, March 14, 2022. Won’t you get creative in your closet and join us!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Cardigan and Necklace-Traveling Chic Boutique / Jeans-Charlotte Russe / Boots-Shoe Dazzle / Gloves-TJMaxx / Hat-Wona Trading / Turtleneck and Earrings-Old / Belt-Torrid
41 Comments
Michelle
OMG, I love your granny square cardigan! I’ve been wanting one myself, but hope to make one at some point. We’ll see. And it is perfect for the art piece. I am glad this talented artist is finally being recognized. It;s a shame it has to be posthumously. But that’s how it is so often – especially in regard to women’s achievements.
I am going to be late with this SIA challenge, but still intend to play along. (I’m too sick to take pics at the moment, but the doctor is tomorrow.)
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! If you get a chance to check out that boutique where I got the sweater I think you will like it! They had so many really fun things! But definitely making your own granny square cardigan is way better than buying one! I look forward to seeing your SIA interpretation for this piece. I am behind on everything right now just from traveling. I hope you feel better soon, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Michelle, remember my query about you crocheting a similar concept for me?
And I was trying to decide on the yarn/ colors?
And then life happened! And you moved!
Make one for yourself!
Michelle
Oh, I so want to, Anne! But I’m dealing with a health issue – probable autoimmune disorder – that’s blessed me with a really sore shoulder. I hope I can get back to crocheting at some point.
Xoxo
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Anne M Bray
Oh no! That really sucks. Get better, my friend.
Patrick Weseman
Great infor and I love the the sweater. Very cool.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I am gonna wear this sweater to every hippie event I attend this year!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kezzie
I am squeaking with delight at this fantastic outfit! The granny square cardie is absolutely beautiful and perfect for this challenge!!!! Was it expensive? It’s such a nice shape and colour combination and I love the hood and length!!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kezzie, thank you so much! I absolutely squeaked with delight as well when I saw this cardigan in the shop! I had been scoping them out on Etsy for years and none really fit all my wants…I wanted it long and hooded exactly like this one! Here is the link to it from Traveling Chic Boutique. It is $110 which I thought was more than reasonable. Most of the ones on Etsy are $250 and up.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
This is sheer perfection!!! What a great look!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Tamar! It makes me super happy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Oh, Shelbee! This sweater is amazing!! And, I love how it works for this art work. Both quilting and crocheting seem to be undergoing a bit of a renaissance. This almost inspires me to make a granny square cardi, but it would be so out of style by the time I finished it. But, do I care? Hmmm…I’ve been wanting an excuse to buy some new yarn!! I had never heard of Elizabeth Shippen Green, but now she really intrigues me. I’m going to be doing some more research and read more about her!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Marsha, thanks so much! This sweater is making me so happy! I feel like it sheds smiles all around me! You should absolutely make yourself a granny square cardi. I don’t pay much attention to what’s trending anyway and just wear what makes me happy. And this sweater will ALWAYS make me happy so I stick my tongue out at trends! Happy yarn shopping and do let me know if you discover more fascinating stuff about Elizabeth Shippen Green!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
I adore your afghan caridgan! What a cool find and so perfect for this look. It makes me want to cozy up on the couch in style.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! It is the coziest sweater ever and it is surprisingly warm even with the large open crochet pattern. I love it so much! It just keeps making me smile.
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
What a wonderful and creative way to bring this art alive! Love your beautiful cardigan!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! This cardigan has been making me smile since the moment I picked it up!
xoxo
Shelbee
Pamela
Oh how beautiful, this really takes us back into the era of ‘homemade’. My sister used to crochet like this and make blankets for all the babies in the family. My daughter used hers for her baby too and it eventually became a playmat. So warm and cosy and another technicolor dreamcoat for your closet Shelbee!
Pamela x
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Pamela! It really is a technicolor dreamcoat, isn’t it?! I am really enjoying this throwback to homemade. It takes me right back to my childhood when my mother made all of our clothing and bedding. The afghan that she crocheted for me and brought me home from the hospital in has become a family heirloom. I wrapped both of my babies in the same pink, white, and blue afghan for their homecomings as well. And I hope my boys do the same when they have babies of their own. Homemade really is best!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I can see why you squealed over that cardigan; it is so cute! I think this is a perfect look paired with the red and the flared denim.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Joanne! It makes me so happy! I want to wear it everywhere and I cannot wait to wear it during festival season.
xoxo
Shelbee
Bojana
What a wonderful surprise when you find something that wasn’t expected. This is beautiful, colorful and unique. It actually reminds me of a little cardigan that both of my girls wore when they were between 5-7 years old that my mom made for them. Oh it was just like this and they loved wearing in by the campfire. What a fun look!
bosbodaciousblogspot.ca
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Bo, thanks so much! What a special memory about the cardigan your girls wore! I am definitely looking forward to wearing this cardigan around some campfires this festival season. It is like being wrapped in a cozy colorful blanket!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
Love your Afghan cardigan! That’s a beautiful find is perfect for this challenge.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! This cardigan makes me so happy! It was a super find.
xoxo
Shelbee
Alexandra
WOW!!! Your granny square cardigan is really awesome!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Alexandra! It is absolutely me new favoritest thing!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
How did I miss this post?
You KNOW I love a granny square.
https://spygirl-amb.blogspot.com/2013/05/granny-squared.html
And then there’s the so bad it’s good crochet poncho that I found on Poshmark.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ1AfpKBXnl/
I just wish the crafters would use natural fibers vs the synthetics.
I KNOW your cardigan will get lots of wear once the music festivals start again!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I have been wanting a granny square cardigan for so long but couldn’t find exactly what I wanted until this one! I am super excited to wear it all through festival season! I just commented on both of those links you shared. Those are some seriously magnificent crochet finds!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
I think actually I got the poncho the same time I got the rainbow one, at Savers in Austin, TX in 2012. Couldn’t find it when I looked through my Poshmark purchase history. Then it was making me crazy and
I did a deep search on my Tumblr, because I never posted it on SpyGirl.
Then there’s this stunning one my pal Silvana made for herself:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSluZQHF4tJ/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I just checked out Silvana’s and I am dying! What gorgeous colors. I need more!
Anne M Bray
I know, right? She is a crochet master.
Crochet is one craft I can’t wrap my fingers around. Which is weird.Oh lord, I have tried!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
She definitely is a crochet master, a magnificently brilliant crochet master! I have never learned any kind of crochet or knitting. I mean, I can barely sew! But lord knows I have tried my creative little heart out on all varieties of art forms. Writing words seems to be where most of my creative talent lies…and playing dress up. I am really good at putting clothes on! Hahaha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Karen Friday
Shelbee, this is so great! You look super cute, love the whole inspired look. I have a top that is similar to your quilt-kimono that I wear with a tank top underneath. My husband actually picked it out of a store 5-6 years ago. It has bright colors, a pattern and is crochet. People always compliment it and ask if I made it. It definitely looks like something from the 70s or 80s.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Karen! It is such a supremely joyful piece to wear! I bet you look lovely in yours. I love a fun statement piece that elicits compliments from strangers! Even if I am the stranger giving the compliment. Haha. Have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chickenruby
Do take a bow, you’ve hit the criteria 100% there. it looks great and I love the hood. Thanks for linking with #pocolo
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Suzanne! I really appreciate that! I am struggling big time with the next challenge and I was the once who chose it!
xoxo
Shelbee
kristie
I LOVE your whole outfit. Very artsy!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kristie! My clothing is definitely is my favorite way to express myself artistically!
xoxo
Shelbee
Stephanie 139a
How joyous is that granny square cardy – and you wearing it?! Love it – thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Stephanie! It really is a very joyful cardigan and makes me glow every time I put it on!
xoxo
Shelbee