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.

Sunday Pics!

Isn't this a heartwarming photo?  The fact that the little girl is smiling is amazing.  The children look well-loved by the expressions on their faces.  

The only thing I know about the photo is that it is in the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History's collection and could have been taken in Arkansas.

The quilt is so cool.  It's a modified nine-patch using square-in-a-square blocks for the 5 light squares.  Enormous sashing and cornerstones complete it.  I wish I knew what colors had been used!

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Log Cabin Quilts, Part 3

This is our last week on Log Cabin Quilts!  What a fun time it's been for me.  I hope you've enjoyed the journey, as well.

Log Cabin - Pineapple

1888

53" x 53.5"

I haven't really thought of Pineapple quilts as Log Cabins before, but there is plenty of documentation that indicates they are!  

This one is spectacular.  It is made of silk, satin, and ribbon.  The colors are striking and the depth amazing.

There is no information as to its provenance, but you can see more about it here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1D-FC-212

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Pineapple

Pennsylvania

1850

78" x 86"

I love this indigo and white version of the Pineapple setting. Isn't the movement in it spectacular?  The fact that it was made in 1850 stuns me.  165 years old and as beautiful as the day it was completed.

You can see more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1E-3D-114A

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Medallion with Pineapple Log Cabin

New Jersey

1865-1875

65.5" x 66"

Isn't this one interesting?  Pineapple blocks used to frame a medallion center, with a printed border.  The fabrics used are silk, velvet, taffeta and faille (a more substantial silk fabric).  The colors appear deep and rich in this photo.  Can you see the birds?  The nosegays are sweet, too.  Apparently there is embroidery on it, though I can't tell where.  I wonder if it was made for an occasion?  A wedding gift?  A mourning quilt?  I wish the maker's name had not been lost!

You can see more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=4A-7F-972

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Log Cabin Variation

Rozilla Fenno Upham Stetso

1875-1900

67" x 86"

Isn't this a clever one?  Creating a shoofly pattern out of log cabin blocks! And the concentric squares, as well.  It's a happy quilt. Makes me wonder if it was made for a child.

You can see more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1D-FC-15FE

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Log Cabin Variation

1876-1900

78" x 80"

Another variation, this one having some velvet and silk in it, as well as cotton, lawn/twill weave.  I love the warmth of the colors.  It make me think of a winter evening wrapped up before the fire.

Doing the math, these are 4" blocks.  With three logs around the center block, that would make the strips about 1/2" again, like the one we saw earlier.  That's a lot of little strips!

You can see more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1D-FC-19F6

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Well, we are finished with our tour of Log Cabin Quilts.  I certainly had fun and it was very educational for me, as well.  I knew there were an amazing number of settings for this block, but I learned there were some I had never seen!

Thanks for joining us for our tour of Log Cabin  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 The Quilt Index unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

Sunday Pics!

I love this photo.  For so many reasons.

A gathering of women.

Handwork to share.

Turn of the century.

The thing that was the capper for me is the Old Maid's Puzzle quilt block in the hands of the woman at the back of the circle.  Our quilt block for this week's Block of the Week project is Old Maid's Puzzle. :-)

A Blessed Sunday to You!

Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Log Cabin Quilts, Part 2

Log Cabin - Courthouse Steps

Rachel H. Standley

Plattville, Iowa

1860 - 1890

68" x 78"

Isn't this an interesting one?  In a sea of solid colors, there are a few blocks made with prints.  It is a rather striking contrast.

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=18-36-1A1

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Log Cabin - Courthouse Steps

Marenza Hill Nye

Foster, Rhode Island

1870

65" x 65"

Another Courhouse Steps in welcoming warm colors.  This one is much more traditional in color and block placement than the previous one.  I really like it.

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=4D-85-1C5

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Log Cabin - Light and Dark

Sarah Ohmart Traylor

East Frok Township, Illinois

1840

71" x 82"

Isn't this a pretty one?  I love the coral color!  And the fabrics are primarily wool.  What a delightful quilt for winter snuggling.

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=16-33-12F

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Log Cabin - Pioneer Block

Clara Chase

1875-1900

78" x 80"

I've never heard of a Pioneer Block Log Cabin.  I'm assuming it refers to the last rows on the blocks used in such a way as to create the window pane appearance. It's interesting.

See more here:

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=1D-FC-AB7

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Next week, we'll complete our tour of Log Cabin 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 The Quilt Index unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.

Sunday Pics!

I would LOVE to know the story behind this photo!

Brothers, do you think?  Maybe going away from home?  Twin hats for traveling?

That's an album quilt behind them.  Mom's priceless treasure with her even more priceless treasures in front?  

What do you think??

A Blessed Sunday to You!