What striking colors!! Indigo-blue-white with yellow!! A tiny print as an accent in the center of each block!! I just am amazed at the art work of our pioneer women! Almedia Grimsley Morris was traveling on the Oregon Trail in 1851, settling in Benton County, Oregon.

If you have never had the thrill of traveling west, experiencing the Oregon Trail or have never seen the wonderful state of Oregon, all I can say is… YOU MUST!!!! My husband and our then, 3 kids had the great privilege of living in Oregon for awhile in the early 80’s. When we left Oregon, we were dragging our feet and we all left part of our hearts in that area of the country. We all love history and the outdoor beauty of life is rich in that state of our Union.

On the Wandering Foot quilt that we feature today, the blocks are all 15 and 1/2 inches in size. The history of the quilt states that the fabric used was on a bolt brought west to be used for a baby born in 1852. They share the original color was purple but has faded over the years of use. The heat and light affected the vulnerable cotton. She chose echo quilting on the pieced top with a border of pink print. Choice of fabric was, of course ,limited at that time in the west.

History tells us that Almedia finished the quilt in the winter of 1852, she lived from 1826-1912. Can you imagine all she saw in her life! They say she picked the Wandering Foot pattern due to their move west and most probably pieced it on the Trail. She migrated to Oregon with her husband. Her preacher father and mother and siblings had traveled to the Benton County, Oregon area in 1847. Husband Joseph farmed in Oregon then until 1888, when he died. She moved later to Idaho with her son and passed away there.

Was this her only quilt that she completed during her lifetime? I know we both agree…NOT!!!…Our creaative imaginations say No! Never just one quilt like this one!!

She had no idea what history she was making when she left her farm in Iowa. Soon, to experience the hardships of traveling on the Oregon Trail, then bearing babies in the unsettled west of Oregon, followed by years of toil as a pioneer there and in the state of Idado! …. We do so admire her today and her “work” she left us in the Wandering Foot.

She inspires me this morning!

Quilted Blessings!! Kari