"Mildred Babe Didrikson": Quilt Art by Rebekka Seigel

"Golf is a game of coordination, rhythm and grace; women have these to a high degree."

I chose Babe as the subject for my third paper doll quilt because I have always admired her since reading a biography of her as a child. She was a girl who didn’t let that fluke of nature hold her back in the world of athletics which was dominated by men during her time. She excelled at every sport she tried and was reported to have had a perfect body for athletics.

This still life of some of her trophies on a table looking out onto her beloved golf course represents many of the sports she excelled in and the prestigious awards she received for her efforts. These include her two Olympic medals for javelin and hurdles and the trophy for being the first American woman to win the British Women’s Open Golf Tournament at the center of the quilt. The table also holds her harmonica, as she was very accomplished with that instrument and the symbol of the Cancer Society. When she was diagnosed with cancer she fought as hard as she could to overcome the disease and she also gave of her time and talent to help the Cancer Society raise money for research.

Babe’s portrait on the table attempts to capture her spirit for life and is accomplished with machine embroidery and hand appliqué.