Pattern Stories

Celebrating American folk art and design—mixing, matching, and reimagining vintage motifs for modern rooms. Our patterns incorporate elements from unique historical works of art in our extensive archive including, paintings, sculpture, collage and works on paper, textiles, and painted furniture.

American Fantasy

This design incorporates whimsical elements from several American Folk art cutwork pictures made around 1850. It gets its name from a famous layered cut paper collage on a contrasting royal blue background made by an unidentified artist. This picture was exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1974 in the iconic exhibition, The Flowering of American Folk Art.

Cutwork picture, John Brown Walker (1815-1908), Midwest, circa 1880, cut paper on colored paper backing, foil, and daguerreotype of young boy. Private collection. — Cutwork picture, John Brown Walker (1815–1908), Midwest, circa 1880, cut paper on colored paper backing, foil, and daguerreotype of young boy. Private collection.

American Fantasy, probably Lebanon County, PA, circa 1840-1860, layered cut paper, original blue paper background, watercolor and lithographed applique'. Private collection. — American Fantasy, probably Lebanon County, PA, circa 1840–1860, layered cut paper, original blue paper background, watercolor and lithographed appliqué. Private collection.

Birds Valentine and Plume

The pattern Birds Valentine celebrates a valentine cut paper collage and describes the 19th century practice of drawing lots to choose a valentine for the day.

A Cut Paper Valentine With Poem, Circa 1830

Poem Transcription:

Outer ring: The fourteenth day of February It was my chance for to be merry First lots were cast and you I drew Kind fortunes said it must be you / As sure as grapes grow on the vine so sure you are my valentine / I chose you from among the rest the reason was I love’d you best / The roses red the violets blue Carnations sweet and so are you / Kind madam its no my design to picture here your heart and mine;

Second ring:
But Cupid with his fatal dart Has deeply wounded my tender heart / And between

our hearts has set a Cross which make me too lament my loss / But I’m in hopes when that is gone That both our hearts will join in one  / I pray take pity on my pain And grant me love for love again;  Third ring:
Believe my love my heart is just and true  / Have pity and don’t let me die for you
Pray don’t think these lines were wrote for fun  / They’re from your lover William Johnson;

Innermost ring: Round is the ring That hath no end so is my love to you my friend

Filigree

This intricate cut paper picture was made as a gift for Julia Rush Williams in Philadelphia, circa 1836. The extraordinarily delicate and detailed cursive lettering and fine pin-pricked details remind us of lacework. Other examples of this artist’s work are in the American Folk Art Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Cutwork for Julia Rush Williams, PA, circa 1836, cut paper on colored paper backing. Private collection.

Geo Ponti

We were inspired by the architectural composition and distinctive striped globes in this graphic and surprisingly modern watercolor, which was painted circa 1820. The result is our Geo Ponti textile design—a geometric pattern that reminds us of the work of mid-century Italian architect and designer, Gio Ponti (1891–1979)—so we named it for him!

Mizrach, attributed to Samuel Bentz (1792–1850), Lancaster County, PA, circa 1810–1830, ink and watercolor with gum Arabic on paper. Private collection.

Luna and Cutwork Stripe

Our Luna and Cutwork Stripe designs incorporate repeating elements of this extraordinary cut paper collage with pin prick detailing made circa 1830 by Pennsylvania German folk artist Samuel Bentz (1792–1850). The piece was once owned by modernist sculptor Elie Nadelman, and a similar example is in the Winterthur Museum.

Cutwork picture, attributed to Samuel Bentz (1792–1850), Lancaster County, PA, circa 1830, layered cut paper with pinprick detailing. Private collection.

floral stripe, pinwheels

The inspiration for these patterns can be found in this spirited watercolor painted in 1834 by Mennonite school master Samuel Gottschall. Faces, flourishes, stripes, and stars are hidden in the picture—can you find them?

Certificate, Samuel Gottschall (1800–1898), Montgomery County, PA, 1834, watercolor and ink with gum Arabic. Private collection.