Elsy Menko – Country – Emblems
The Rose
‘The rose’ is the name of a windmill in the city of Delft in The Netherlands that was built in 1679 and was used for the grinding of corn. It is the only one remaining windmill of fifteen mills that once stood on the city walls. The origin of its name is the source of much speculation but apparently has been lost in all these years. Originally it was a wooden structure but in 1679 it was torn down and a new, much larger stone mill took its place. The top of the tower is round, but the bottom is hexagonal. The magnificent structure has seven floors that can be reached by climbing narrow ladders. The view from the top is definitely worth the effort. It is open to visitors. The rose is still in use as a flour mill where biological grain is processed to flour.
In my quilt the national flag is hoisted on top of the mill together with an orange streamer. This indicates the birthday of a member of the royal family. Some traditional Dutch cotton fabrics were used in the blue and red parts of the national flag that forms the background.
I chose the windmill as my subject as it is so iconic in the Dutch landscape, it very much defines the image of the country.
Detail view:
Original photo:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
Don’t know why but I never connected the colour red with Dutch, now you broaden my horizons 🙂 Love your execution of all the Dutch symbols in your piece, good job!
It was easy to guess, the Dutch flag and one of its typical symbols. I visited this mill several years ago on a beautiful tour in Holland.
A really well made and tastefully quilt. Bravo!
A great way of depicting The Netherlands. The use of different tones of the three colours work really well as does the change between the white and black stitching of the windmill. Great work.
I like how you built your background with pieces overlapping on eachothers. It gives freedom to the three zones of colours of the flag. Changing colour to black to white for your quilting is also very effective.
Shame on me I didn’t guess the country but I truly love your quilt. Interesting story very well told in fabric and stitches.
I like how you have constructed the background with shifting rows and changing shades, causing a visual sense of movement. I love the windmill, and your workmanship is nicely executed.
Guessed this correctly due to the colours and windmill, great design and quilting.
The piecey, layered construction background works very nicely with the 2 tone thread sketching of the windmill. The different tones create depth and moment. A lovely design and interesting story.
Of course I recognized this country immediately, because it is my homeland. A couple of years ago we visited Delft and have of course seen this mill. I love how you made the movement in the flag by using different colors of red and blue en different sizes of the patches. The stitching of the mill is very well done and the difference in thread color very efficient .You even added the orange streamer to the flag. Beautiful!
Yes, this is Holland! I love how you build the background with the different patches and created the flag. The mill is very well executed. In my hometown we also have a grainmill; also open for visitors. Your quilt makes me smile.
Your windmill is beautifully stitched and is a great symbol for your country. We saw many like this during a visit to Holland – but through misty rain. I like that you included Dutch fabrics in the red and blue bands.
I love the way you constructed your background and the thread drawing is gorgeous. Beautiful representation of Holland. Bravo.