Sunday Pics!

Okay, this one has no quilts in it, but the handwork they are doing qualifies them for "Sunday Pics" in my book!

They are twin sisters, the photo being taken somewhere around the end of the 19th century.  They are dressed alike, have their hair styled the same, and are working on similar lace projects - maybe collars?

It appears they are married - both wearing rings on their left hands.  This makes me wonder if they decided to stage this photo, going back to the days of their mother dressing them alike and putting identical ribbons in their hair.  They look as if they have wonderful senses of humor, which would lead me to believe this was a fun day for them!

Don't their faces make you want to know them?

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - New York Beauty (Rocky Mountain Road, Crown of Thorns)

Wow, what a lot of information there is out there on this quilt pattern!

After quite a bit of reading, it seems that Barbara Brackman has best summed up the history:

"The pattern has many vernacular names in the South, commonly "Rocky Mountain Road" or "Crown of Thorns" (also "Rail Through The Mountains,” "Rising Sun," and "The Great Divide"). A similar pattern was published and sold by Mountain Mist in 1931 as "New York Beauty", which is today's standard name nationwide. An 1854 diary refers to a "New York Beauty" quilt but whether it is the same design is unknown."

There is a longer article by the DK Quilt Guild on the Daily Kos that gives more fun history on the pattern.

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New York Beauty/Crown of Thorns

Mrs. Haynes

Stone Mountain, Georgia

75.25" x 99.25"

This quilt is quite different than most of those I've seen, but I like the earthy feel it has.  The many names of this pattern seem to be represented in the color choices. It makes me think of saddle leather, sunrise over the mountains, and evergreens - western travel through the Rockies.

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Rocky Mount Quilt of Scotland

Elmira Duncan Pearce

Tennessee

1850

66" x 79"

This is my favorite of those that I've seen of this type with the vines in the sashing, a center sunburst, and two or three color arcs (in this case yellow, tan, and white).  It is probable that the tan color was once green and has faded.

This quilt belonged to the four Pearce sisters, aunts of the current owner at time of survey. 

"These ladies were of pure Scottish Covenenter background, from Pearces, Birdwells, Browns, Douglases and Gordons. Their grandmother, Elmira Duncan Pearce, had a quilter who lived in the house and made quilts, sometimes spinning, weaving and dyeing material for them; sometimes using 'boughten' goods."

You can see and read more at the Quilt Index

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New York Beauty

1870's
Bill Volkening Collection

This one caught my eye, I think because of the wonderful contrast in color.  There is no information about it other than that it was made in the 1870's and resides in Bill Volkening's collection in Oregon.

You can look at more on his blog Wonkyworld.

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New York Beauty

Amish-made

I am partial to red, white and blue - and stars  - so this one caught my eye!  It's fun to see the different treatments the intersection blocks receive in these quilts.  Most have sunbursts, occasionally a LeMoyne star, but this is the only one I've seen that has sawtooth stars.  The white background gives a lovely space to showcase quilting.

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There are so many New York Beauty quilts out there.  This is just a smattering.

If you are really interested in seeing and reading more about them, here are some links to follow:

Beauty Secrets - A 7 1/2 minute short documentary on the Volckening Collection of New York Beauty Quilts

Sue Garman's Blog
Scroll WAY down the page for a look at New York Beauty quilts which it sounds like are in her personal collection.

Pinterest

Thanks for joining me on this tour of New York Beauty 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!

Time for Sunday Pics!

Last week's photo really struck a chord with so many.  The need and desire to create is strong in us. And the joy of having a loved one appreciate what we do is just as strong.

From the time I was a little girl, my hands were always finding things to make for my loved ones.  In my later years, I've come to understand this as part of my being made in God's image.  He created.  He gave us the ability to create.  And it runs strong.

When I was a young wife and mom, and "me" time was scarce, the thing I longed for was the time to create. Naptimes were devoted not to dishes and cleaning, but to sewing and crafting. When I had that outlet, it was easier to meet my responsibilities with cheerfulness and joy. And so it remains.

I love this picture of an Appalachian woman with her quilts who experienced the same things I did. Hear her words: 

“I’d rather piece as eat and I’d rather patch as piece, but I take natcherally delight in quiltin’. I’m an old woman, honey, and I tell ye, a woman can do her work better ef she has something pretty to her hand to take up whenst she air plumb worried out....."

If you look closely, you can see quilts on the three beds and then stacks of them behind the hanging petticoats.  It looks to me as if she "took up" her pretty work often.  I think we need to do the same.

Her story is magnificent and you can read it at AppalachianHistory.

The story is taken from “Patch Quilts and Philosophy,” by Elizabeth Daingerfield 1908

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Whig Rose

I thought we might explore Whig Rose Quilts this week.

As I've looked at the enormous variety of them, the things that stand out to me are first, the different array of colors used (not all are red and green), and second that there are a number of patterns called "Whig Rose" but the patterns vary from 4 to 8 flowers.

I found this on the history of the pattern:

"The pattern name “Whig Rose” was a popular nineteenth century pattern inspired by politics. The Whigs were an American political party formed around 1833 in opposition to the [Andrew] Jacksonian Democrats. Members of the Whig party included William Henry Harrison, Henry Clay, Zachary Taylor, John Tyler (who was eventually expelled from the party), and Millard Fillmore. By 1856, the Whig party had dissolved, torn apart by the issue of the expansion of slavery into the territories.

This quilt, therefore, is a wonderful document of the history of textile dyes and needlework fashions and a reflection of political history."

You can read more here:

http://museum.msu.edu/glqc/collections_2005.20.1.html

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Whig Rose

Abigail Hill

Probably Indiana

1857-1858

79.75" x 70"

This one was made in 1857-1858.  Obviously there's the date appliqued onto the quilt, but there is also a quilted inscription of "Abigail Hill 1848" below it.  It is made in the classic red and green color palette, with some added pink.  Aren't the vases wonderful? 

You can see more about this particular quilt at the Folk Art Museum.

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Whig Rose

Unknown Maker
Indiana
1850

I have found no information about this quilt other than its dating and probable location of origin.

It also follows the tradition of red and green, but adds the sparkle of yellow to delight the eye. There's also some pink in the flower centers to add depth.

The thing that struck me about it is the beauty of the border.  Isn't it amazing? Birds, leaves, flowers, baskets and berries.  All are designed in such a beautifully flowing pattern.

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Double Pink Whig Rose

Unknown Maker & Location

1880's

This one is made in poison green, turkey red, and double pinks.  The border is just simplicity itself, which sets off the beauty of the rose circlets.  Though the lighting isn't great, you can see a bit of the magnificent quilting around the flower circles.

Here's a close-up of the detail.  Interestingly, the leaf stems are visible under the red flower petals.

Unfortunately, I have no more information on it.

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Whig Rose with Trapunto

Unknown Maker and Location

1845-1855

I love this one.  The graceful placement of the roses and buds, the subtle color of pinks and greens, the simplicity of only 5 blocks.....all of it makes me happy!

The trupunto is astounding.  Just look at the detail of it!  This had to be someone's masterpiece.  I wish I knew who made it and where she lived.

The photo is credited to Surrender Dorothy and the original is here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/herroyalmajesty/6325182847/in/set-72157627961884277/

Thanks for joining me on this tour of Whig Rose 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!

Growing up, my uncle always read the "Sunday Funnies" in the San Francisco Chronicle.  I treasure that memory of him.  He had a smile on his face and laughed so easily.

The Sunday Funnies gave me an idea.....Why not do "Sunday Pics" and share with you antique photos that have to do with quilts and quilting?  I started posting photos over on our Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, and then thought it would be fun to share them here on the blog, as well.

When I look at old photos it gives me joy.  It's not always a happy thing, because so many photos reflect hard times in the lives of our predecessors, but joy comes in knowing that we can share a little bit in what went before.

This week I'll share the two from previous weeks and then the one for today.  So you get a "3-fer!"

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This first one was taken in 1907.  I want to know this woman!  She has a twinkle in her eye and looks to me as if she has spunk!  She reminds me a little of the actress Maggie Smith, whose acting I greatly respect and admire.

To say nothing of the quilt!  Isn't it intriguing?  Simple but stunning.  It looks to me perhaps to be made of velvets  Where would she have come up with so many scraps?  Was she a seamstress?  Or was she well-off and bought the yardage?  As always, I want to know!

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I love this photograph.  I'm guessing it was taken around the turn of the century.  The clothing is similar to that in pictures of my grandmother in 1900 or 1901.

The look on her face is priceless....can you hear her mother saying, "Honey, hold still.  Don't move.  Don't smile.  Look at the funny man and his camera.  We'll be finished soon."  And don't you love her hair bows?!?

In reading about quilts in photographs, one thing I discovered is that often blankets and quilts were used as backdrops for family photos.  I'm guessing that is what happened in this one. It's a fun 9-patch.  Maybe a variation.  It works well as contrast in the photo, as well.

As always, I wish I knew who this little girl was.

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This one brings tears to my eyes.  Does it not epitomize love and creativity?

She has no fancy work surface or cutting tools or templates.  She has her porch and her scraps in a tattered Musselman's apple jelly box.  Her worn hands are just as tender with the arranging of the pieces as yours or mine are.  And her man is watching with love at what she is creating.

There's all of life there for me.

A blessed Sunday to you.

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Unique Baltimores

I thought it would be fun to look at some Baltimore Album quilts that are somewhat unusual or unique in one way or another.

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Bernard Nadal Quilt
By Ladies of his Congregation
Baltimore, Maryland
1847
105" x 105"

This one is a tribute to a truly remarkable man.  His great-grand-daughter, Constance Dawson, donated it to the Smithsonian in 1983 with this note:

"I have in my possession a quilt that was presented to my great-grandfather, Bernard Nadal, by the female members of his congregation when he was a minister.....It seems to me that it should be in a museum as the workmanship is exquisite......"

Can you imagine what a beloved man he must have been to have had such an amazing gift made for and given to him?

It was made in Baltimore, Maryland and is dated 1847.

The wonderful story and additional excellent photos (especially the close-ups of the inked art work and inscriptions like this one) are at the link below.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556185

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Eli Lilly Family Quilt

Made by His Friends and Family

Baltimore County, Maryland

1847

104.5" x 105"

This Baltimore Album quilt is unique in that it--

"belongs to a type sometimes referred to as a "death watch quilt." It was made in 1847, the year of his death, to honor Eli Lilly, grandfather of Colonel Eli Lilly, who in 1876 founded the Indianapolis pharmaceutical firm named for him. Twenty of the blocks were signed by the friends and family who gathered at Lilly's bedside during his final days, and his own signature appears in the block with the lyre."

Isn't it beautiful?

There's a little more information at this link:

http://collection.imamuseum.org/artwork/78810/

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Texas Statehood Baltimore

Unknown Makers

Unknown Location

1840's

This Baltimore is unusual in that it apparently was made to commemorate Texas statehood.

"In the middle, find two eagles holding American flags.  On the top right, a Texas star is engulfed by leaves and the word Texas appears on one side."

I like the look of this one.  It has a soft and less cluttered look than some of the others in this genre, perhaps because of the definition of the blocks by the decorative sashing and the simplicity of the borders.

There is more information at the link below.  You'll need to click to picture 4 in the slide show to read about it.

http://austin.culturemap.com/news/arts/08-20-12-atx-the-greatest-poem-of-all-mfah-curator-unlocks-secretsof-250-years-of-american-art/

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Elizabeth MacCullough Hervey Baltimore Quilt

by same

Baltimore, Maryland

1848-1850

111" x 111"

The uniqueness of this Baltimore is in the circlet-surrounds on three of the blocks. Apparently these haven't been seen elsewhere.  It also contains a unique fisherman block.  I really like the fact that it has historical/patriotic influences in the ship and flag blocks.

It now resides in a private home amid an extensive collection of antiques.

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Thanks for joining me on this tour of unique Baltimore Album 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.

Show and Tell!

I have just finished a long project and wanted to share it with you.

The story goes like this:
About 2 1/2 years ago, I was plotting to make a quilt for my youngest, Ian.  He is now 22.  I had been to the "At-Home Quilt Retreat" our quilt group was having that February, and had been talking about it with my friends.  I was trying to decide whether to surprise him, or ask his input.

When I got home that very evening, he and I were the only ones up and I was hanging up my current project on the design wall after having worked on it for the weekend.  He said, "Mom, would you make me a quilt?"  Well, wasn't that quite the opening?  So, I told him my dilemma.  He liked the idea of being in on it a little bit, so gave me some color ideas (black and red) and I started planning.

I gave him two choices of pattern.....Sweet Insanity and Colorado Log Cabin.  He chose the second.

I was struggling to figure out how to make black and red work because I had never thought to use those colors myself!  I landed on pulling out my Civil War reproduction fabrics and started playing with them.  He came up beside me and saw I what I was doing and he said, "Mom, would you actually use your Civil War fabrics??"  And I answered, "You know, Son, that's how it's going to work for me!"

So, 2 1/2 years later, having machine pieced it over a period of several months, basted it on an old frame (12 hours worth), and then hand quilted it over about a year and a half, it is finally finished!  It's a big one.  77" x 100".

We love what the gold stars add to the mix.

There's a cute story about the little label I sewed into the binding.  All of our kids had in-utero names, and his was Baby Boomer.  The Boomer part stuck and he goes by both Ian and Boomer.  Well, at that same retreat, one of my friends was making a selvedge quilt (it is awesome!) and one of her selvedges caught my eye.  It read "Baby Boomers by Debbie Rogers for Moda." She offered it to me so I could use it on Boomer's quilt.  It's been tucked away in a secret place waiting for the finish.  Go figure!   How many moms named Debbie have a son named Boomer?  So, it's sewn into the binding and it tickled my son, as it did me.  Sweet little things that are endearing.

So, that's what I've been up to.  It's going to the fair next week!

Happy Quilting!!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Color Play with Orange (or Cheddar.....or Cadmium Yellow.....or Gold!)

Orange (or Cheddar or Cadmium Yellow or Gold -- whatever your choice of color description) is not overly used in quilts from the 1800's, but once in awhile there is a gem that just sparkles because of it.

A friend of mine taught me that every scrap-quilt needs to have some of this color in it.  I have found it to be true.  It just adds that bit of sunshine that delights the eye.

On an excursion around the Internet, I found quite a few of these beauties that feature orange in delightful ways.  I want to share them with you.

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Patriotic Eagle and Coxcomb

Unknown Artist & Location

Mid-1800's

84" x 84"

This beautifully appliqued quilt features red, green and cheddar on a white background.  There are four green eagles, one in the center of each side at the edges. They almost disappear into the border design!  I love the motion of the coxcombs and leaves, and the little heart motifs are sweet.  It is crosshatched, which in my mind is perfect for the design.

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Whig Rose

Unknown Artist

New England

1855

I have no information about this one other than what is above.  It reminds me of spring with the profusion of orange, yellow, and green and the flowers springing from the corners of the blocks! The border is an interesting one to me with all those little circles.  I wonder how she did them?

This photo is sourced from SurrendrDorothy on Flickr via Pinterest.

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Sunflowers and Double Hearts
Unknown Artist
New England
1865

Isn't this just such a happy quilt?  I'm imagining the woman who made it got tired of the dreary New England winter, and decided to get some sunshine under her fingers!  The sunflowers are so perky and I love the hearts in the corners of the blocks. It looks to me as if the borders were well planned because the vining motif is so evenly spaced.  And those cute stars in the corners. So fun!

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Pineapples & Roses

Unknown Artist

Circa 1860

84" x 70" approximately

"Pineapples and Roses, circa 1860.  Twelve 15 1/2" white cotton squares have green and orange pineapples and green and red roses appliqued to them.  The rosebuds are stuffed.  The blocks are set straight with no sashing between them.  There is a 1 1/2" inner sawtooth border made of alternating triangles of orange and green.  The 10 1/2" wide outer border has a continuous red rose and green vine applique.  Carmel colored binding.  Muslin Sleeve."

The photo on Pinterest was sourced from the Grand Rapids Public Museum, but I can't find it again.  The description above came with the photo.  I love the way the cheddar in the pineapples peeks out from the green.  Very striking quilt!

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Sunflower Quilt

Aurora Colony, Oregon

I know nothing about this quilt other than that is it from the Aurora Colony in Oregon.  I love the sunflowers and wreaths, the perky flowers and swag borders.

Each October, the Colony has a Quilt Show, and this was part of the exhibit in 2011.  It has been on my list to go, and I hope that this year it will become a reality.  For information about the show, click the link below.

43rd Annual Aurora Colony Quilt Show

For more pictures of this and other quilts from the Aurora Colony, click the link below.

Aurora Colony Quilts

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"Big Tulips, Small Pots, Little Teeny Birds & Baskets"

Unknown Artist

Ohio

Circa 1880

90" x 90"

Isn't this one interestingly done?  I like the name the seller has given it!  The tulips are big, the pots are small, and the birds and baskets are "little teeny"!

It is listed on the Quilt Complex and more information may be found at the link below.
Quilt Complex

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Applique Album Quilt

Stuffed Work

Unknown Artist

1860

I love the openness of this one.  Each of the album blocks shines on its own.  The use of orange/cheddar is sparse in comparison with some of the others we've seen, but it just perks it up, doesn't it?  It's interesting to me that the borders are different. Maybe she just wanted to try a few different things!

This photo is sourced from SurrendrDorothy on Flickr via Pinterest.

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Half-Square Triangles!
Unknown Artist
New York
1875

My scrap bag is calling me!  How about yours?  I love what the quiltmaker did with this one.  It's just all light/dark half-square triangles placed to give a look similar to Ocean Waves, but way simpler!  Such a fun one.

This photo is sourced from SurrendrDorothy on Flickr via Pinterest.

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Pot of Flowers

Pennsylvania

1870

100 3/4" x 73 1/2"

I saved this one for last because it is the one that has spoken to me the most.  It is so happy and at the same time so lovely.  The stars in the corners and the color play in them delight me and the variety of flowers in their little pots is wonderful.  I love the sweet little baskets and that there are pieced and appliqued elements, both.  I'm curious about the odd corner flower element.  Three are the same, one is different.  Was there a significance to that?  Who was the woman who made this?  Was she Pennsylvania-Dutch?  Did she have an abundant scrap basket, or did she buy the fabric she needed just for this quilt?  Oh, if these quilt could speak!

This photo appears on the cover of "Treasury of American Quilts" by Cyril Nelson and Carter Houck.

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Thanks for joining me on this tour of 19th century quilts that showcase the color Orange (or Cheddar or Cadmium Yellow or Gold!)

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.