A Blessed Christmas!

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations, a simple fabric Nativity made for me by a dear friend when our children were young.

And these were made by my mom's closest friend and given to her many years ago.  We love them every Christmas.

Oh, the sweetness of gifts from the hands of loved ones!

A Blessed Christmas to you, each one!

Sunday Pics!

I'm wondering if this is her first quilt?  Big 9-patches, fun fabrics.  What do you think?

I love her hair bow!  Fashion is such a strange thing.  Just imagine if we dressed our daughters or granddaughters now with a bow like that?!

Such a sweet face.  I wonder who she was and if she became a famous quilter? :-)

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Feathered Stars

Since we've already looked at "Star of Bethlehem" quilts recently, I though we'd focus on some Feathered Stars this week in honor of this Christmas season.

One of the things I've noticed in looking at this pattern is how the tips of the stars have changed. Back in the 1800's, it appears it was much more common to have a half-square triangle unit used at the end of a point, while now a diamond is the usual treatment.

So, let's start our tour......

Chintz Feathered Star
Virginia
1850

This first one has very little information attached to it.  It was made around 1850 in Virginia.  The thing that stands out to me about it is the use of chintz in the centers of the stars and alternate blocks.

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Possible Mourning Quilt
1880-1890

I've not found any further information about this one, but I really like the simplicity of it.  I think the sawtooth border is a perfect finish to it after the wonderful open space around the stars.

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Feathered Star
Jan Hoard Hubbard
Texas
1860
80" x 97"

Isn't this one striking?  I like her use of color and the second star she created on the interior of each.  The quilting looks kind of like a clam shell.

There is quite a lengthy note attached to this record on the The Quilt Index.  If you follow the link, you can read more about it.
http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=4F-88-CF

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Double Feathered Star
1850-1860

There's no additional information about this one, but I really like the "double" treatment in this.  There's so much to see.  The traditional feathered star in the middle of much larger "feathers" as well as the secondary pattern that kind of has a Navajo feel to it.  The border and corner stones finish it well.

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Feather Quilt
Barbara Voilu; Barbra Pennington
1860's
77" x 79"

Another one with no additional information, but if you follow the link below, you can see many more pictures of it and a note that was attached to the back.

The use of ombre in the centers adds a very distinctive touch to it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/291146284634?roken=cUgayN

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Feathered Star and Oak Leaf
Sarah Lefever
1847

I've posted about this one before, but it is probably my favorite among many.  Made by Sarah Lefever in 1847, the workmanship is stellar.  You can read more about it and see more pictures on Bonnie Hunter's blog
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/05/sarah-m-lefever-1847.html

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Thanks for joining us for our tour of Feathered Star Quilts!

Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest, unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

Sunday Pics!

Don't you just love this photo??

It was taken in the last quarter of the 1800s in Sumter County, Georgia.  It is of members of the Holloway family in front of their home.

The profusion of quilts on the fence is so amazing.  I recognize many of the patterns....square in a square, flying geese over a pieced dog-tooth circle - two of them - (actually, maybe 3), pinwheel, Texas Tears.  I love that we as women are the same then as now....wanting to share our handiwork.

You can see more about the photo (and zoom in on it) and read the names of the people here:

http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi-bin/vanga.cgi?format=photo&query=id:sum136b

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Pine Tree Quilts

This week I thought it would be fun to take a look at the Pine Tree pattern. Being December and all. :-)

The pattern goes by a number of additional names, among them Tree of Life, Temperance Tree, Live Oak Tree and Forbidden Fruit Tree.

As I understand the progression, the original "Tree of Life" quilts from the late 1700's to early 1800's were made from printed Indian fabric - palampores - and were cut up and used rather like we use the broderie perse method today.

Through the 1800's, the pattern evolved into the current pieced Pine Tree form.

If you'd like, you can read more about it here:

http://crafting.idahohistory.org/there-were-many-different-types-of-quilting-styles-in-19th-century-idaho-each-representing-a-unique-facet-of-the-creators-personality/

So, here we go!

Pine Tree Quilt (aka Tree of Paradise)

West Virginia

1880

79" x 90"

This first example is stellar. It was made in West Virginia around 1880 and is amazing! The colors used are red, yellow and green on a white ground. The cornerstones are little replicas of a portion of the tree, which is delightful. The border is a well executed accordion zig-zag. The quilting is even and well done. Truly a wonderful example of this pattern.

If you can, do take the time to see more pictures at the link below:

http://www.stellarubinantiques.com/items/1310346/item1310346sra.html

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Pine Tree - Tree of Life
1880's
73" x 73"

Isn't this a beautiful example of a Pine Tree in two colors?  So clean and crisp.  Hard to see, but the quilting in the open squares is in a feathered wreath pattern with gridwork in the middle.

Found on eBay

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Tree of Life Signature Quilt
New York
Willis P. Lingenfelter
1890-1891
Quilted by Mrs. Eugene Gould
1894
70" x 85"

This is an amazing Pine Tree - as well as album - quilt.  It contains 435 names!  It was made for the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School in Clayton, New York.  You can see the indigo and stars in the photos below.

The geography is interesting to me on this one, as well.  The 435 names are said to have come from Clayton/Depauville.  I did a little looking and discovered that Depauville is a hamlet located in the southern region of the Town of Clayton, which is in Jefferson County, of the state of New York.  I love the word hamlet!  

After being put together by Willis Lingenfelter in 1891, it was then quilted in 1894 by Mrs. Eugene Gould.

It can be found here:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/14164346_tree-of-life-signature-quilt-70-x-85

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Pennsylvania
c.1890
64" x 76"

I like the depth the floral print gives these blocks.  And the 9-patch and rails borders are a nice frame for it.  The quilting is a nice crosshatch and it's is amazing condition!

It's worth the look to see more pictures here:

http://www.stellarubinantiques.com/items/809774/enlargement809774sra.html

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Temperance Tree
Mary Ann Rogers
New London, Connecticut
1886

79" x 91.5"

In my opinion, it's cool to have this pattern made in forest green. :-)  Very fitting, don't you think?

It was machine pieced in 1886, which piqued my interest.  I went looking to see what the sewing machine might have looked like and found these:

By the 1880's, sewing machines were not rare, but still something that wasn't in every home.  I think it's awesome to be able to learn a quilt's story like this!

I found the pictures here:

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/30152-1886-singer-sewing-machine

Though it was machine pieced, it was hand quilted and bears the inscription below: 

"To William and Rebecca, Please accept this Temperance Tree Quilt containing 2094 pieces pieced by me in my 77th year. your mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Rogers New London Conn. Jan. 1886"

I hope I'm still piecing like this in my 77th year!

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=4D-85-41

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Pine Tree
Missouri
1880
75" x 75"

I love this one!  The beauty of the colors, the impeccable piecing and the amazing quilting set it apart.

If you follow the link below, you can see more pictures and close-ups of it and read a bit about the possible history of the pattern.

http://www.eco-quilt.jp/e/12_REE_OF_LIFE_OR_PINE_TREE.html

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Thanks for joining us for our tour of Pine Tree Quilts!

Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest, unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

Sunday Pics!

Here's another one I love!  These are Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Free and their daughter Cynthia.  It was taken in 1904 in Pickens County, Georgia.

The young woman's face is so serene.  I wish I had known her.  And little Cynthia looks to be a happy baby.

The quilt is a helter-skelter flying geese, with the points heading up and down and some of them reversed, dark for light.  Interesting!

You can see more about the photo here:
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi-bin/vanga.cgi?format=photo&query=id:pck202-82

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Delectable Mountains

Delectable Mountains quilts are on the docket for this week.

Though I don't know the actual origin of this pattern, apparently the popularity of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress from the late 1600's, and his "Delectable Mountains," contributed to the fact that it was a much loved pattern.  Also the American Westward Trek in the 1800's through the Rockies, Sierras, and Cascades was a catalyst for the same.

I found an interesting story of a Delectable Mountains quilt entitled THE QUILT THAT SURVIVED THE LOST WAGON TRAIN (1853 through the Cascades).  You can read it at Patterns From History.

You can also find a free Delectable Mountains pattern on the same website here.

So, here we go!

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Delectable Mountains Quilt

1850

97" x 83 1/4"

In Brooklyn Museum

Other than being made in 1850, there isn't much information available for this quilt.  It looks to me as if only one grey-green and two red fabrics were used in it, along with one white with a small print for the background.  It is striking in its simplicity.  And I like the half-square triangle border treatment.

No word on who made it, but it was in the "Workt by Hand: Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts" exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum in 2013.

Here is a short piece about the exhibit: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/quilts

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Delectable Mountains
Jane Gibb
Possibly made in Quincy, Illinois
1835
83" x 96"

This one is amazing.  If my calculations are right, the on-point squares are 3 3/4", making the half-square triangles finish at 3/4" each.  That's just incredible.  All hand done, of course.  I love what she did with the colors, too.  She had a real eye for balance and complement.  The variety of fabric she used is also amazing.

It is part of the Ardis and Rober James Collection and resides at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Delectable Mountains / Sawtooth

Pennsylvania

1830-1840

70" x 88"

I like the beauty of this in its simplicity. It appears that there are just a few fabrics used, one being a stripe.  

You can see more about it here:

http://www.stellarubinantiques.com/items/954144/item954144sra.html

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Delectable Mountains
Margaret Carpenter
Lewes, Delaware
1845

I like this one in its simplicity, as well. The use of blue always makes me happy!

It is part of the Quilt Collection of the state of Delaware.

http://history.delaware.gov/collections/state_quilts.shtml

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Delectable Mountains Album Quilt
Ruth Bower Swinney Ogden & Family & Friends
Bridgeton, New Jersey
1839-1847
100" x 102"

This is a unique Delectable Mountains in that it is also an album quilt.  The light halves of the squares are signed.

It appears in a book entitled Four Centuries of Quilts: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection, and you can see a bit more about it there.

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Delectable Mountains
1870
89 ¾” x 88”

This one struck me because of the bold colors.  It's interesting, but not my favorite.

You can see more about it and other quilts at the American Quilt Study Group below.

http://www.americanquiltstudygroup.org/sem10item110.asp

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Delectable Mountains Variation

1880's - '90's

Absolutely no information about this one, but I really like the color and the integration of other patterns.  The center stars used as the base for the "mountains" half of the blocks, non-contrasting base halves that make the corner blocks look kind of like a bear's paw.  And the nine-patch-and-rails sashing and Sawtooth border.  Just a lot of fun!  I might try to reproduce this one.

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Delectable Mountains Crib Quilt

1840

New England Quilt Museum

Isn't this sweet?  A little crib quilt using the Delectable Mountains pattern.  I like it.

You can see more about it and other quilts from the New England Quilt Museum on this blog:

http://juudsquilts.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-09-18T22:00:00-07:00&max-results=7

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Thanks for joining us for our tour of Delectable Mountains Quilts!

Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest, unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

Sunday Pics!

This photograph has quite a bit of information attached to it. The people are Oscar Roach and Evie Thomas of Madison County (no indication if that's Missouri or Arkansas) in about 1905, and the Shiloh Museum of the Ozarks owns the photo.

There are a couple of things that stand out to me in addition to the "Uncle Sam's Favorite" quilt as the backdrop.

First, the expressions on their faces make me wonder about them.  Are they smug? Defiant?  Or the camera just caught them that way?

Second, the skin color is strange, as if the image has been doctored somehow.  The man's hand on her shoulder is very dark, and the other three hands look as if they are tan on the backs, but the fingers are white in between.  I'm thinking it could very well be a poor PhotoShop job!

Anyway, the quilt is a magnificent specimen.  I'm not quite sure why it's called "Uncle Sam's Favorite" but I like it. And I will always wonder what colors they used!

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Turkey Tracks, Wandering Foot, Milwaukee's Own

Okay, so I'm going to be cheeky and post Turkey Tracks Quilts this week. :-)

Thanksgiving is not about the turkey for me, though. It's about being thankful for the incredible blessings I have been given, just as the pilgrims were thankful in the midst of incredible hardship. I actually descend from 5 of the Mayflower passengers, which is amazing to me.

The Turkey Tracks pattern is also known by the additional names "Milwaukee's Own" and "Wandering Foot," and I'd never heard of the first before. I'm having a hard time finding anything about the origin of that particular name. Anyone know about it?

So, here we go......

Milwaukee's Own - Turkey Tracks
Colorado
1875
75" x 80.5"

This first quilt is such a study in simplicity. I really like it. It was made around 1875 in Colorado by an unknown artist. 

See more here:
http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=4E-86-BA

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Top Only
Wandering Foot - Turkey Tracks
Mrs. Roland Gibbs
1860
84" x 86"

There's not much information about this one, but I like the particular shape of the "tracks" in it.  It's kind of fun to see the pieced alternate blocks, which would be less evident if the top were quilted.  I'm not sure I really like the zig-zag border, but the center is striking!

You can see a bit more here:
http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1D-FC-1412

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Turkey Tracks Variation
Mrs. H.C. McIlravy
Illinois
1840-1860
81" x 82"

Isn't this a pretty one?  The colors are reminiscent of Baltimore Album quilts done in red, yellow and green, with the occasional addition of blue.  I like the variation on the "tracks" part.

You can see more here:
http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=18-36-808

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Turkey Tracks
1865
80" x 89"

There's really not much information about this one, but the hand quilting is stunning!  Look at the feather wreaths!  In the close-up, it's fun to see the prints she used, too.

To see more, click the link below.
http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=4A-7F-B42

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Turkey Tracks
Possibly Ohio
86" x 90"

I love this one! From a distance, it looks like it's pink and green, but closeup you can see it's a red print paired with poison green.  The border is lovely and fits the open feel of the Turkey Tracks blocks.

And the quilting is stunning!!!

See it here at the American Folk Art Museum:

http://collection.folkartmuseum.org/view/objects/asitem/items@:2252

If the link doesn't work, use 'Turkey Tracks Quilt' in their search function.

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Turkey Tracks 

1880

I can find nothing about this one, but I liked it well enough to include it! The red fabric looks like a solid in the picture, but upon closer examination, it really is a print.  There's just something about red and white, isn't there?

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If you'd like to learn about the Wandering Foot pattern, there's an article here:

http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/pioneer_patterns/wanderingfoot.htm

And if you'd like a Free Wandering Foot Pattern, here are links to one:

• PDF with templates:
• http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/pioneer_patterns/wanderingp.pdf
• Piecing Instructions:
• http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/pioneer_patterns/wfpattern.htm

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Thanks for joining us for our tour of Turkey Tracks Quilts!

Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest, The Quilt Index, and the American Folk Art Museum unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

A Blessed Thanksgiving to you All!

Image found on Pinterest

Sunday Pics!

When I found this photo, the caption read "Quilters are a jolly bunch!"  I had to laugh!

Back in the day, photography was not what it is today.  To get a clear image, the subjects had to hold very still for the duration of the exposure. Thus the somber expressions.  I once worked in a "Daguerreian" studio and used one of the old cameras on a stand.  While we didn't employ the methods used on the old metal daguerreotypes, the process was still a slow affair and the people had to hold very still and not smile while we made the shot.

These ladies were probably just as "jolly" as we are and were delighted to share their work for posterity.  Don't you just love the hair?  And the shirt-waists?  And the profusion of tucks!!

If you're at all interested in the daguerreian process, here are a couple of links explaining the beginnings of photography:
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/adag/hd_adag.htm
http://daguerre.org/resource/process/remin.html

Back then there was a lot of sickness related to the business of photography due to the use of mercury.  I'm grateful for digital now!!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Birds in the Air

"Birds in the Air" is a favorite of mine, so this week we're taking a meander through some of the prettiest ones I could find!

Birds in the Air
1850
96" x 100"

This first one is rather striking. The use of striped fabric and such a dynamic color is amazing. Notice that on two sides, the stripes are going in a vertical orientation. All I can find about it is that it was made in 1850.

See more pictures here:
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/folk-art/quilts/birds-air-quilt/id-f_614588/

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Birds in the Air
1870
72" x 78"

I love the simplicity of this one and the prints, plaids and shirtings used are beautiful.

See more pictures here:
http://shop.thequiltcomplex.com/2013/01/birds-in-air.html

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Birds in the Air Look-Alike
Red and White
Pennsylvania
1880's

This one is not technically a Birds in the Air pattern, but has a similar look.  There are two plain triangles - red and white on opposite sides - sandwiching a set of alternating light and dark half-square triangles.  I really like it.  The fabrics are prints, the white being a shirting, and the red a black-on-red print.  The binding is black polka dots on a red ground.  Lots of fun!

At the time of this writing, there are more pictures at Stella Rubin Antiques, linked below.
http://www.stellarubinantiques.com/items/1262489/item1262489sra.html

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Birds in the Air
Deborah Coates
1830-1860

This beauty was made by Quaker Deborah Coates, who, along with her husband, was active in anti-slavery politics and the Underground Railroad.  It possibly contains an silk piece from an anti-slavery handkerchief that bears the message, "Deliver me from the oppression of man."

You can read more about it on Barbara Brackman's blog here:
http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/2011/02/9-birds-in-air.html

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Birds in the Air
Pennsylvania
1850

I really like the color play in this one, as well as the use of stripes in the border.  I can't find any further information about it, though.

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Birds in the Air
1880
66" x 82"

This one is a stunning testament to an amazing piecer.  The individual squares made of half-square triangles are 5/8" on a side!  Prints, checks, shirtings and stripes are used throughout, and is made of 25,000 pieces!

To really be able to appreciate it, see the additional pictures at Stella Rubin Antiques by following the link below.  As of this writing, the post it is still available here:
http://www.stellarubinantiques.com/items/1144146/item1144146sra.html

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Thanks for joining us for our tour of Birds in the Air  Quilts!
Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.