Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Log Cabin Quilts

The first quilt I ever made was a Log Cabin.  It was in 1982 or '83 and for our first child. 

This is her with her cousin in the first of what we call the "Cousin Couch Pictures," and in the end there are 9 cousins!  The quilt is behind them.

And my most recent finish is also a Log Cabin - Colorado Log Cabin, actually - and I made it for our youngest.  It's a bit bigger than that first one I made!  By the way, that's our oldest helping me hold it.  That's about 32 years after the photo above!

And some others for someone who wanted to see. :-)

It's hard to get a true red in pictures.  Some look way too pink.

These are the fabrics I used:

Block Closeup:

On the Frame for Basting (12 hours!)

 At the Fair

I have always been drawn to a log cabin quilt.  There are so many ways to set them and the possibilities are endless.  

So, for the next three weeks, we'll take a look at some of those from the 1800's.

I think the most common setting is Barn Raising, so we'll start there!

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Log Cabin - Barn Raising

Mrs. Halter

Missouri

1870

Aren't the colors fabulous in this?  I just love what she did.

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1A-39-23E

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Log Cabin - Pinwheel
Agnes Robertson Phillips
1875-1900
100" x 114"

I love a pinwheel, and I'd never seen a set like this!  What a fun way to use Log Cabin blocks.

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1D-FC-400

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Log Cabin - Sunshine & Shadow
Mary Jane McDonald
Nova Scotia, Canada
1897
59" x 67"

I really like the use of lights and darks in this one.  I've never seen a Sunshine and Shadow that looks like this.  The depth is amazing.

This story is part of the documentation on the Quilt Index:

"The quilt was one of two Mary Jane McDonald created for two of her granddaughters. On Mary Jane's death, this quilt was left to her granddaughter Winifred Viola Macdonald, then in her 8th year. Winifred gave the quilt to her daughter Audrey Marion Turton who passed it on to her son Keith Douglas Turton who then donated it to the Royal Alberta Museum in December 2004, approximately 100 years after the quilt was created."

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=5A-9B-3

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Streak of Lightning

1865

Isn't this one fun?  I particularly like the border and how it echoes the main blocks.  It looks to me to be pieced.

I have no information about it at all.  The picture originated on flickr, and is linked below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/herroyalmajesty/6325989932/in/photostream/

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Straight Furrows

Morning Star Elkins

1840 - 1860

67" x 80"

This one has the traditional red centers.  I did the math, and these blocks are less than 3 1/2" square!  That means the strips finish at less than 1/2".  Wow.  Beautiful!

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=18-36-896

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We'll continue next week with more quilts

using the marvelous Log Cabin block!

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 The Quilt Index unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

Sunday Pics!

Isn't this photo wonderful?  It looks to me as if it's a family portrait with husband, wife, and 8 children. It was taken around 1900.

I'm loving the Turkey Tracks Quilt, and there is also a framed piece hanging behind the family in front of the quilt.  I think the words at the top say "Family Record" but I can't tell if the ovals contain photographs or something else.

Do you see the paper accordion decoration that the little girl on the far right is holding?  I wonder what special occasion this commemorated?

So many untold stories!

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Sunflower Quilts

How about Sunflower Quilts this week?  There surely are some beautiful pieces out there.

I spent some time on The Quilt Index website and perused their 1800's offerings.  There are many, so I picked the ones that struck me in some way as unique or beautiful.

So, here we go!

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Sunflower
Susannah Yerkes Bliss
New York
1860
84" x 96"

This first one was made by Susannah Yerkes Bliss in about 1860.  I wish I could get up closer and see the fabrics in more detail.  The description says it's done in white, brown and red with some yellow in the zig zag borders.

It resides in the permanent collection at the DAR Museum.
You can see more about it at The Quilt Index.

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Sunflower with Eagle

Nancy Viola Ganong

1870-1880

72" x 98.5"

This beauty in indigo and white is spectacular.  The appliqued eagles and motifs are beautifully done and the piecing is superb.  Look at all those tiny points!  The quilting pattern is beautifully complimentary to the blocks.  

It resides in the New England Quilt Museum permanent collection.

You can see more about it at The Quilt Index.

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Sunflower / Compass / Sunburst

Unknown Artist

Ohio

1850's

80.5" x 93.5"

This is for all the red-lovers out there.  The spectacular stuffed work makes this one shine.  The quilting pattern echos the blocks in a magnificent way.  I am continually impressed by the beautiful piecing.

You can see more about it at The Quilt Index.

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Single Sunflower

Unknown Artist

1865

88" x 100"

This is done in maroon fabric.  It has much the same look as the previous one, but it does not contain stuffed work.

You can see more about it at The Quilt Index.

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Scrap Sunflower

Mary Esther Smith

Norwalk, Connecticut

1800-1849

81.25" x 90.5"

I chose this one to share because of the profusion of fabrics used and the interesting alternate blocks using large print fabric.  Here is a detail photo.

Note the use of ombre fabric.  Isn't it cool?  In this block, it really makes me think of a real sunflower.

You can see more about it at The Quilt Index.

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Scrap Sunflower

Gertrude A. Tipple

1850-1875

75" x 94"

Isn't this a fun one?  I really like the border treatment, both in pattern and the scallops.  And the blocks are happy, using many colors.  The two detail shots below show some of the fun fabrics used.

You can see more about it at The Quilt Index

Thanks for taking this tour of Sunflower Quilts with us!

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 The Quilt Index unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

Sunday Pics!

This photo evokes delight in me.  Though I have no idea what the occasion was, it looks like a happy group!

It appears to have been taken around the turn of the century, and the Ohio Star quilt is amazing.  Do you see the half-square triangle border on it?  I wonder what the dominant colors are? It looks as if it might be done in a variety.

And where was it taken?!  The tree has me stumped.  At first I thought it might be a citrus tree, and the background hills remind me of California in the summer and fall.  There are plenty of citrus groves in Southern California.  Anyone have an opinion?

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Irish Chain Quilts

Irish Chain quilts are some of my favorites.  I've made a few and they always catch my eye, whether they are single, double, or triple!

When I looked into the history of this pattern, I found yet another article on Womenfolk .com.  It is really worth a read.

Apparently the pattern may have originated here in America in the early 1800's and isn't necessarily Irish in origin.  However, there is some evidence of a similar pattern having come from Ireland as early as 1805.  The article also talks about one of the things I love in this pattern, and that is the open areas in which to showcase beautiful quilting patterns.

The ones I've chosen to post are unique in some way.

So, let's take a look!


Traditional Irish Chain
1850's
82" x 96"

Our first example is from the 1850's and has a glazed

chintz border, which is unusual. The blocks are made with red and green prints and a tan background print. The red reminds me of a reproduction fabric by Jo Morton. That's always fun.

There are more pictures and information at 1stdibs.

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Double Irish Chain Crib Quilt
Probably East Coast
1830
37" x 38"

Isn't this stunning?  Keeping in mind that it's a crib quilt that is about a yard square, imagine piecing the 25-patch blocks.  They're made of 3/4" squares.  Then take a look at the reverse applique feather borders and corner blocks.  Wow.  Double Wow!

You can see more about it at the Quilt Index

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Single Irish Chain with Doves in the Window

c. 1860

Isn't this a cheerful one?  I love how the cheddar and turkey red are used here.  And the sawtooth border is a fun touch.

I don't think I've ever seen this particular combination of Irish Chain and Dove in the Window.  I like it.

I wish I had more information about it, but we'll just have to enjoy it for its beauty alone.

* * * * * * *

Double Irish Chain with Sawtooth Stars
Mrs. Frank Miles
Watchung, New Jersey
1840-1850
82 1/2" x 93"

This is one of my all-time favorites of this pattern.  Using sawtooth stars in the open blocks is such a great idea!  Her fabric and color choices are wonderful and the quilt is an absolute treasure trove of fabrics.  The detail shot below shows the wonderful diversity of what she used.

The swag and bow border just completes it beautifully.

You can see more about it at the Quilt Index.

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Triple Irish Chain
Susan McCord
Indiana
1900
67" x 76"

Susan McCord was an amazing quitmaker who lived from 1829-1909.  

The Henry Ford, which houses 13 of her quilts, says this about her:

"Susan McCord (1829-1909) was an Indiana farm wife who had 7 children, loved to garden and quilted for over 50 years. Like other quilters, she drew from her extensive bag of fabric scraps - choosing patterns, colors and techniques to make quilts. But she put all these elements together in ways that were highly original."

Her use of color and fabric is amazing.  The border, using her signature strip-pieced leaves, is a treat for the eye.

Apparently she made it for her daughter, Millie McCord Cannaday around 1900, and is her last known work.

Here are some close-ups:

You can read more about it and see more pictures at The Henry Ford.

You can see more of her quilts here.

There is also a book available about Susan: 

Susan McCord, the Unforgettable Artistry of an Indiana Quilter

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Thanks for taking this tour of Irish Chain Quilts with us!

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!

What a fun photo!

The quilt is an amazing backdrop for these lovely girls and what appears to be a pet sheep.  Look at the younger girl holding onto its wool.

The quilt pattern seems to be a star made of half square triangles, similar to "Constellation."  It has a lot of fun fabrics in it....plaids, stripes, small prints.

Oh, to be able to see it in color!

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Martha Skelton Quilts

Martha Skelton was a quilter of our time whose work is now in museums across the country.  I became interested in her when I found the first quilt in our tour today.  I thought it was an antique because it so closely follows the feel of quilts from the 1800's.

I picked up the book, Martha Skelton: Master Quilter of Mississippi, at our public library and it is such a treat.  It's one of those you can sit and look at for hours. The book contains photographs of over ninety of her more than 200 quilts.

This is excerpted from the jacket cover:

"Like all art forms, quilting has its masters, and Vicksburg, Mississippi's Martha Butcher Skelton is among them.  Noted quilt scholar Mary Elizabeth Johnson chronicles Martha Skelton's life and her development into one of America's foremost quilt artists.

Born in West Virginia, Martha Skelton was reared in Oklahoma.  Her interest in quilting began when, as a girl, she watched her mother and aunts make quilts and enjoy needlework.....

Having completed more than two hundred quilts, Skelton has been recognized as a master quilter and teacher of the craft."

She was the featured quilter for the 1974 Smithsonian Festival of American Folk Art, and was featured again in 1997 during the annual festival.

The American Quilting Society has named her one of the top 20 quilters in the United States. Her work celebrates historic quilts and, as we'll see this week, is absolutely superb.

Join me as we take a look at the amazing work of Mississippi's Miss Martha.

Four Block Carnation

2006

81.75 " x 91.75"

I love the borders on this one!

* * *

America and Lady Liberty
1985-1986
70" x 71"

Martha designed and made this to enter in New York City's Museum of American Folk Art "Statue of Liberty" quilt contest in 1986.

* * *

Sunburst

1993

72" x 85"

The picture really doesn't do this one justice.  The intricacies of the borders and the sharp points in the sunbursts are truly spectacular.

* * *

Baltimore Album

Late 1990's or early 2000's

74" x 89"

I love the color choices and simplicity of designs in this Baltimore.

* * *

Mississippi Hardwood

2004-2005

84" x 84"

I love this one.  It speaks to me of Martha's love for Mississippi and her farm, on which the trees grow that supplied the leaves for the silhouettes.  The vines for the borders are wonderful and each set of leaves is labeled with its scientific name.

* * *

Thanks for taking this tour of Martha Skelton's Quilts with us!

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!

Not very often is there a photo that displays as much information as this one does.

It was originally found on "Pendroy Surname History.com" but it is no longer an active site.

It looks to me as if it's from a family photo album and that perhaps the labeling was done as part of a scrapbook project.

There is apparently a child to the right of the third adult woman from the left, but I can't see her.  And another under the quilting frame. ☺

I always love an Irish Chain quilt and I wish I knew what colors were used here.  And to whom the quilt belonged or was to be given.

What a great piece of Dakota History.  I'm currently reading "Pioneer Girl," the autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and part of it takes place in Dakota Territory during the same year as this photo was taken.  It gives me an additional glimpse into the "look" of the time period.

Isn't it wonderful?

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Trapunto Quilts

Trapunto is a technique whereby, after the design is quilted, additional batting is stuffed into the quilted areas, causing a raised pattern.  There is an article on Womenfolk.com that explains the process that was used during the American Colonial period.  It's a good read.

I've gathered some trapunto quilts that really struck me.  Some are the traditional whole-cloth quilts, some are two-color.  They are all amazing.


Pine Burr

Mary Duncan Kelly

1859

This first one is for all the red-and-white lovers out there.  The workmanship is beautiful. The grapes and flowers are beautifully done.

I can't find any more information about this beauty than is listed above, but isn't it magnificent?

* * * * * * *

Barbara Lotspeich Broyles

Rhea County, Tennessee

1840

81" x 77"

I like being able to see a quilt on a bed as well as in a closeup!  Isn't it beautiful?  The serpentine feathers are wonderful!

The story of this quilt, if true, is heartbreaking. You can read about it at CLIO Visualizing History.

* * * * * * *

Strawberry Quilt

Montrose, Susquehana County, Pennsylvania

1848

86 1/2" x 85"

This one just grabbed me!  Isn't it spectacular??  So much to see.

Learn more at Olde Hope Antiques.

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Tree of Life Whitework Quilt

Artist Unknown

1796

92 1/4" x 87 3/4"

This is just unbelievable to me.  I can hardly imagine being able to produce such an amazing piece as this.  Take a look at the detail shots below.....

It defies words for me!

You can see more about it at the Museum of American Folk Art.

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Darst Family Quilt
Elizabeth Ann Darst
Circleville, Ohio
1840-1841
102" x 103"

I am absolutely stunned by this amazing quilt.  It was made by Elizabeth Ann Darst as her wedding quilt.  She was married in 1841, so it is assumed it was made between 1840 and 1841.

The trapunto work is so amazing.  Wow!  And the piecing is amazing. The quilting is amazing.  The design is amazing! I'm having a hard time coming up with other adjectives to describe it. Can you tell??

It resides in the DAR museum's permanent collection and Wendy Sheppard was able to see it.  She took the pictures below.  You can see more on her blog, Ivory Spring.

So, are you ready to make one????

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Thanks for taking this tour of Trapunto Quilts with us!

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.