On This Day in History Quilt for April 5.

On this day in 1908, American actress Ruth Elizabeth “Bette” Davis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. After her parents divorced, Bette moved to New York City with her mother and sister, where Bette studied acting and dance (with Martha Graham).  In 1930, she traveled by train from New York to Hollywood. She failed early screen tests, but finally made her screen debut with the help of a cinematographer who said she had “lovely eyes.” Davis is famous for her willingness and talent at playing unsympathetic characters.

Portuguese immigrant Theresa Oliver Mello of Lowell, Massachusetts made this Z-Lightning quilt around 1910.  The quilt is part of the New England Quilt Museum’s permanent collection. There are two other quilts by Mello documented by NEQM in the Quilt Index.

View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view.

Sources:
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes/a/bette_davis.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Davis

Posted by Amy E. Milne
Executive Director, Quilt Alliance
amy.milne@quiltalliance.org