ILLINOIS: Violet

Looking on the bright side, all this lovely *bonus weather* is providing some of us with additional opportunities for longer stitching sessions. And that's not such a bad thing.  Over here we have B&W film and retro-TV shows playing in the background.  Occasionally, I will leave my favorite chair for tea and chocolate, then I wander through the house checking up on things.  Laundry---yup, still there.  Etc.  But mostly, I'm curled up with my needle and thread during this [seemingly] never-ending storm.  I'm really super excited about this quilt though and want to see it through, so here's the latest quilt block, and one of my very favorite flowers. 

Researching this, I found out that after the 1893 Chicago World Exposition that sparked interest in the adoption of state flowers, the purple iris was one of the suggestions made to represent Illinois but was never officially adopted.  Apparently years went by, and then one very determined Mrs. James C. Fessler of Rochelle decided to launch a statewide campaign to get the job done, suggesting that it be put to a vote by the Illinois school children.  So they did!  Over 33,500 votes were cast for the three flowers that were chosen; goldenrod, wild rose, and the violet--which won by a wide margin over the other two. 

However, legislation failed to specify which type of violet--there were eight blue 'native' species alone at the time.  So they turned to the Illinois State Museum for help, and found the most common native species, Viola sororia, sometimes called the 'dooryard violet', and 'bird-foot violet', or just 'wood violet'.  The law was amended and went into effect July 1, 1908.  So now it's official.

Violets are so pretty.  Nursery rhymes and English literature is full of references to them.  Poets often use them to express the gentler qualities of life.  Shakespeare's violets are the flowers of vanishing youth; a warning to seize life before it's gone.  In the Victorian 'language of the flowers' manual, a true-blue violet means  faithfulness.  That seems quite fitting as they grow in abundance throughout the northern hemisphere with no help whatsoever.  They can be found in woodlands, fields, meadows, along roadsides, and often, by surprise, in backyard lawns.  Violets are adaptable and grow in full sun or shade, and bloom almost all spring and summer long.  Faithful and true they certainly are.

Another thing I love about them is that the flowers are edible.  I bet you already knew that.  But did you know that the flowers, roots, and stems of some varieties are rich in Vitamins A and C, (more C than even oranges pound for pound), and contain a type of antioxidant called anthocyanin, which is why it is sometimes called, "nature's vitamin pill."  Did you know that?  I admit, it was news to me.  The petals of the Illinois state flower in particular is such a variety, quite edible, and can be candied or crystallized with a coating of egg white (use a small paint brush), and sugar, as a way of preserving the blooms, to be used later as cake decorations.  Or very sweet and tasty vitamins.  How wonderful is that?

COLORS:  petals in two shades of blue #792, #3839; centers yellow; leaves medium green #702.

Next on the list, Pennsylvania's Mountain Laurel.  Are you keeping up? 

Check out Elizabeth's first flower block for Maine for inspiration. 

 
Block Size:   Images should be about 4 x 4-inches or thereabouts to fit a 6.5" block--so re-size them if necessary.  

Comments

[Miss Paula]

Vicki what size are you making these flowers?
I love the violet!!!

REPLY: The block size is 6-1/2 x 6 1/2", so the motifs are around 4 x 4 inches. But you could resize them if you wanted.

~Vicki

[Julie]

Ohhhh My home state!!! It is so pretty!! I am also curious what size they are? Are you going to make them into a quilt?

REPLY: See previous comment & reply for sizes. And YES! I do plan on making a quilt out of them. Stay tuned...

~Vicki

[Julie]

It's me again!lol I was looking at your flowers again.... I have always done outline emboridery...what is the stitch you use to fill in the flowers??? How do you do that ?

REPLY: Hello, me again!

The fill is done using a satin stitch. Check out the embroidery stitch guide on my PatternBee website for the how-to's here: http://www.patternbee.com/embroiderystitches.html

~Vicki

[jam]

Thank you for the beautiful flower patterns and for the wonderful history lesson on our state flower, the violet. So now maybe I'm ready to start another stitchery quilt.

[Yvette]

Violets have such a happy disposition. They bob in the slight breeze and seem to wave hello. Silly I know, but they remind me of childhood and adventures in the woods.

I worked with a gentleman that collected violets. He would go to parks, slightly forested areas and even private homes when invited, to dig up one or two violets and transplant them in his own yard with markers to describe where and when he acquired the plant. Very interesting old gentleman, very gentle!

REPLY: I loved hearing this story! Very sweet! Thanks for sharing it.

~Vicki

[Lena]

I love the smell of violets. They remind me of woodsy places, right after a rain. It is such a fresh, sweet smell.

I have been enjoying your posts about the flowers, but haven't been stitching. I'm trying to learn to crochet, and doing a little needle felting, and trying to figure out what direction to "go" next, as life finally feels as if it is settling some. The old Avonlea series has been keeping me company.

I think sugared violets are so pretty. I always knew they were good for one's soul, but never knew the nutrional value of them. Imagine that! I suppose there are all sorts of wonderful plants that we don't consider for their value in that way.

[Vee]

This one is terrific as well. I followed all your links...very nice ideas. It was fun to see Elizabeth's Maine one all done and putting me to shame. I also enjoyed reading about all the terrific things one can make from the Mexican dress. Those vintage fabrics looked so cool. (BTW, I had no idea that one could eat violets! When they pop up in the back yard, I will try one. Wouldn't they be pretty as a garnish for tea time?! Thanks for the info.

[Mom Wald]

Delightful embroidery, as always! I've discovered that there are yellow violets, and I thought I had them all. Hmmm....

[Toni]

Thank you for the patterns. I am going to attempt doing this along with you. I would like to add Massachusetts to the list. Thank you!!!

[Patty]

So lovely, thanks for the pattern!

[medieval costume]

Your creations are really lovely.. Thank you so much for the post. :)