Day 26 - A Magical Month of Antique Quilts - Super Christmasy Quilt

 This is one of my most Christmasy quilts!  Staghorn applique pattern, antique quilt, circa 1860. Starley Quilt Collection. Of course, red and green proclaim the holidays, and the holly berry style wreathy appliques do too. Click on the picture to enlarge and see the details - such as all the embroidery that makes this quilt delightful.

Here's the full antique quilt. It is always interesting to see how the earlier quilters arranged their applique designs. This unknown maker aligned the 4 ferns to face to the center, focal point applique.  

I also like to see how makers figured out their borders and got their designs around the corners. This quilter made each border separately, starting in from the border width and continuing to the corner, repeating 3 more times. A great method that avoids having to make the borders meet in the corners. Note - if the border designs are not continuous, you don't have to worry about them matching :) 

A bit of the folky border. Actually, the whole quilt is a bit folky and I really like that. Folky and informal is more fun than precise and formal design.

Day 8 - A Month of Antique Quilts

 Another pattern that I really like is the Caesar's Crown block and I have several that are signature quilts from the 1840s in Pennsylvania. This one from circa 1860 is also from Pennsylvania and though it is not a signature quilt it is still fabulous!!

Such yummy colors. Another name for the block is Strawberry and by the colors on this one, I can see how it got that name.

One of my favorite things about this pattern is the secondary designs created when it is pieced without sashing. Look at the white background between the blocks. See the cross or four bells? Such a cool effect. Enjoy.  Ps. Wondering how the block was made? It is NOT appliqued; instead, it is all curved pieced by hand.

Day 12 - A Month of Antique Quilts - Red and Green Antique Quilts

 Ready for another antique quilt? I hope so! I've got another Red and Green French Star quilt for you.

It is one of my absolute favorite patterns. And I was tickled when I recently found this one that was so similar to the one above. Aren't they both lovely! To see more of this 2nd one see my post from earlier this month.

Here's the full shot of antique French Star quilt #1

And another shot of it where you can see all the hand quilting - click on pic to enlarge.

And here it is with another French Star from my collection. I love sharing them in my Patterns Through Time lecture. Contact me if you are interested in seeing them virtually in an online presentation.

Post 5: A Month Full of Antique Quilts - Antique Red and Green Caesar's Crown Quilt

 I love sharing these antique quilts with you. Thank you for all the nice comments so far, I really appreciate hearing from you. 

Here's another of my favorites (yes, almost all of these are my favorites - are you shocked?), a Red and Green Caesar's Crown from Southeastern Pennsylvania, circa 1860.

Be sure to click on the first picture to see it up close! It is all hand pieced NOT appliqued. Look at how sharp those points are!

 

My favorite feature of this pattern is the secondary design created when the blocks are set straight together with no sashing. Do you see the white cross or 4 white bells? You may have to squint a bit. 

You probably can see the cross now, I hope. Such a great pattern.

Here it is hanging out with 2 more antique Caeser's Crowns that are also from Southeastern PA. The others are signature quilts. 

Day 3 - Monthlong Antique Quilts - Red and Green Birds and Baskets

 Day 3 of our Antique Quilt Festival. All of these quilts are part of my own antique quilt collection. By the way, I love to share these antique quilt treasures through in person and now online presentations. Feel free to contact me about presenting for your guild, quilt history group, group of friends.

One of my favorites (part of my Birds and Blooms lecture) is this on point basket, likely from New York State, circa 1850/60. You can't go wrong with Birds and Baskets and Hearts!

Isn't this a funky and cute little guy! Gotta love his odd tree branch feet. 

Here is the full quilt. Such an elegant quilt. The baskets are arranged to drape down over both sides of the bed.

Month of Antique Quilts -Hand Quilting Day 24

Today's quilt is an antique red/green hand quilted quilt - an Oak Reel with a lovely swag and tassle border. Such a classic design. Circa 1850.

I don't think the maker was into hand quilting or maybe she was making it for a special occasion, like a wedding, and was on a tight schedule as there isn't much quilting (been there, done that). The quilt has unusual quilting - click on the picture below to enlarge and see details. There is a quilted pair of scissors above the swag and a set of spoons under the swag.

A Month of Antique Hand Quilting - Quilted Joy, Rose of Sharon Day 20

Another hand quilted beauty from the Starley Quilt Collection, this hand appliqued Rose of Sharon quilt is full of JOY!!! Such a happy quilt. Love all the birds and flowers.

It is the star of my Birds and Blooms Antique Quilt Trunk Show and my Quilted Joy hand applique class. I'll share the repro quilt tomorrow. Look at all that hand quilting.

The full quilt - look closely, there are 9 Rose of Sharon blocks. The maker filled every inch! No negative space for her. Circa 1850, Ohio.

Hand Quilting Blogathon Day 5 Birds and Blooms Antique Quilts

Today's quilt from the Starley Quilt Collection is a great basket quilt that is elevated with a stellar border featuring birds, flowers, and heart appliques!! And a delightful, delicate piped binding. Circa 1855 from New York State. Hand quilting in straight lines.  *Don't forget to click on photos to enlarge, see details.
Don't you just love that folky bird - kind of odd- standing on a branch or does he have giant feet?

And I'm still not sure if that orange applique is a flower, bud, or maybe a peach?

The full and glorious quilt. You can never go wrong with a basket quilt especially with birds and hearts <3 and="" birds="" blooms="" is="" my="" nbsp="" of="" p="" quilt="" show.="" star="" the="" this="" trunk="">

E is for English Paper Piecing - Antique Quilts

Spent the weekend sharing English Paper Piecing. Here are a couple from my collection.

Antique Heart Quilts -Hearts All Around

Hearts are all around,
Dated 1858 signature quilt from New York City. see more pictures and learn more information at this prior entry 

More from the 1858 Signature Quilt

Heart in Hand - central block in an 1850s applique quilt from Maryland. This block is full of Odd Fellows symbology.

Heart appliques on basket quilt from 1850/60 from New York State

Antique Quilt - Full Blown Tulip, King David's Crown or Caesar's Crown

I have become quite smitten with antique Caesar's Crown quilts and now have a small collection of the pattern. This beauty was my first - a very graceful, curvy variation of the pattern and reminds me that another name for the pattern is Strawberry.  *If you are wondering about the construction - it is NOT appliqued. It is curved pieced by hand - a method Barbara Brackman calls show off piecing.

Here is her glamour shot.

1860 Crown Top, Pennsylvania. Starley Collection

One of my favorite things about this pattern when it is straight set without sashing is the beautiful secondary design that magically appears... see the white cross or bells?  To learn more about the history of the pattern, see my article for Discover Vintage.

Dated 1858 Antique Signature Quilt from New York City, New York

Wonderful antique signature quilt made for a beloved Methodist Episcopal Sunday School teacher, Esther McAllister in New York City in 1858.

Click on photo to enlarge and read this moving poem showing how much the group loved their teacher.

The full quilt, dated 1858, made by the Willet Street Methodist church.

Antique Eagle Quilt - Month of Antique Quilt Treasures

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Just a simple sharing of this fabulous 4 eagle quilt in  the Starley Antique Quilt Collection. Part of Birds and Blooms Lecture/ Trunk show (see the tab under banner photo for more details).

This quilt is from Southeastern Pennsylvania which is the main area the 4 block eagles are found. The other area is Ohio and that is due to westward migration. C. 1860 and a bit early for this setting.
It is the only antique eagle with tulip wreaths and vases. Formerly in the McCarl Collection.
The darker green used for the tulip stems, leaves, and vases was likely a synthetic dye and it has had a weird reaction (hazy stain around that fabric).

Antique birds & baskets quilt - month of antique quilt treasures

A Christmasy bird popping by to say hello!
c. 1860 basket quilt purchased from Julie Silber. Beautiful piecing, applique and quilting and such attention to detail - look at that tiny piping next to a fine binding below the bird.

From New York State, probably made by member of Howe family. The quilting is 11- 12 stitches per inch - very small.

Love the birds, flower buds or fruit and the hearts in the corners - so charming. This beautiful quilt is part of my antique quilt trunk show: Birds and Blooms

day 18 Christmas French Stars

The French Star block is one of my all time favorites. Especially this beauty in red and green and gold .

The quilt was found in Pennsylvania. Thanks Sharon Stark of Sharon's Quits and RickRack.

Here's a c. 1940's version of that same pattern. This top has wonderful, vibrant colors.

And the full quilt shows the elegant applique swag border - a throwback to the 1850s

Here is  a closer look along with the earlier French Star.

The pattern requires some careful curved piecing and Y seams and insets

Etsy Shop Now Open and new treasure

Here's a corner of one of my favorite quilts.
C. 1860 flower wreath quilt.
Okay, now that I have your attention.  I have an exciting announcement for all of you who have been asking for patterns to make my antique quilts, the wait is over.

 I have opened an Etsy Shop - Textile Time Travels.  I have several of my antique and vintage reproduction patterns now available and also an update of a traditional block sampler.  Hope you will stop by and purchase a pattern and favorite my shop.

Here's one of the patterns ready and waiting to come to your house.
 Cheddar Stars Over Moab 19" x 24"

And please let me know if there are any special quilts in my collection that you would like me to pattern.  I have a "to pattern" list started but would love your input.  So as you scroll back to previous posts or stop by my facebook page - Textile Time Travels and see something that catches your fancy, tell me.
Thanks.

C. 1860 flower wreath quilt, detail of the applique and the wreath leaf quilting between each round of flowers