Bugs R Us Quilt
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I found pollinators all over this native wildflowers quilt, just like in nature. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Bugs R Us Quilt
This customer was looking for a handmade quilt with lots of bugs. We used to have an adorable lap quilt with ladybugs, butterflies and a bee or two but I didn't have one labelled as such. As I was reviewing our inventory, it struck me to check our wildflower quilts.
The first native wildflowers quilt turned up a whole slew, just like in nature!
Insects are the foundation of our interdependent ecosystem. 60% of all birds depend on insects for food. Some bugs are beneficial, such as ladybugs that eat damaging aphids. Others such as bees and butterflies are pollinators, increasing our varied foods by matchmaking for plants. One out of every three bites of healthy food we eat are courtesy of pollinators.
I was thinking about the important role of these tiny creatures as I started to look for them on the native wildflowers handmade quilt.
Blue butterfly on a yellow flower, sunflower or maybe Black eyed Susan. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Some bugs have a special relationship with plants. Monarch butterflies depend on the different kinds of native milkweeds to nudge them up and down their migratory route from north American to Mexico and back. As the native milkweed dies back, that signals to the Monarchs its time for them to move on. Some Monarch butterflies take 3-4 generations to complete the migration while the Super Generation Monarchs complete their migration in one season.
Another butterfly visiting a larkspur branch. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Research today shows the best we can do to help Monarchs and other pollinators is plant more native trees, shrubs and flowers.
I recognized sunflowers, Black eyed Susans, bachelor buttons, daylilies, foxgloves, larkspur, bluebells and poppies on this applique handmade quilt. It made me miss my garden and all of its residents including turtles.
Yes, there’s a turtle on native wildflowers quilt.
The whole interdependent ecosystem, or handmade quilt. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
I may just have to add this native wildflowers handmade quilt to my personal bed wardrobe. For winter days when I don’t get to see all of these on my hillside garden.
Charlotte
