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 6 - A Month of Antique Quilts - Starley Quilt Collection

 Another favorite is this 1850 Quaker signature quilt from Chester Co. Pennsylvania (right by Philadelphia). The quilt was made for Enoch and Mary Worrall and features extensive family genealogy. Such a piece of true history and it is beautiful too.

Look at this inked drawing of cupid's arrow !

And this is the center block showing ownership. Hexagon center reads: "Enoch and Mary Worrall's Quilt, 1850". The background of the block says " Enoch and Mary's children" and lists each child (both those living and deceased at that time). More blocks featuring other family members and family history while other feature friends, neighbors, fellow Quakers.

Antique Signature Quaker Quilt

 Zimmerman family quilt from Montgomery Co. Pennsylvania, 1840s - Starley antique quilt collection.

The quilt was made for Cecilia Zimmerman.

Detail from the Zimmerman quilt

Another one of the signature blocks

Happy to share these treasures with you in live presentations - in person or via Zoom. Contact me to arrange an antique trunk show and/or antique quilting study sessions or quilting classes. 

Antique Quilts - A Monthlong Celebration of Antique Red and Green Quilts - Day 31

 The last day of our monthlong celebration of antique red and green quilts from the Starley Antique Quilt Collection features a variety of Birds and Blooms  - stars of my virtual/online trunk show: Birds and Blooms.

Four block Eagle and Tulip Medallion Quilt from Southeastern Pennsylvania. Circa 1865/70. And part of its extra folky eagle (or dove) friends. They also hail from Pennsylvania.

A detail of an adorable crib quilt - circa 1850.

Part of another adorable crib quilt from the same time period, I do love Birds and Blooms!

Detail of a very unusual quilt that features birds, fish, and roosters in the border!

Two birds from my Quilted Joy antique quilt - pattern available to make your own mini version!

A bird from another circa 1850 crib quilt - this one from Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Yes, I like little quilts, especially if they have birds and flowers!!!

And finally, a delightful bird applique from a circa 1855 basket quilt from New York State! Enjoy!

Antique Quilts - A Monthlong Celebration of Antique Red and Green Quilts - Day 30

 This is a wonderful antique quilt with an amazing paisley sashing and great red and greens and blues and more. The icing on the top is that it is an early signature quilt to boot.

Interestingly for a signature or friendship quilt - the focus is on the fabrics rather than the names which are written in corners of the background. Usually, names are placed in the block centers especially with a star block like this one.

Isn't that paisley border bold and beautiful! A star of my Signature Quilt trunk show and my Antique Stars lecture.

The full star quilt from Hunterdon County, New Jersey (Western NJ, just across the river from Philadelpia). It is an early signature quilt and has dates of 1841 and 1842. 

Antique Quilts - A Monthlong Celebration of Antique Red and Green Quilts - Day 27

 Red (with green) antique quilt! A sparkly, starry quilt made by Quakers living in Southeastern Pennsylvania (Delaware County) in 1850. Starley Antique Quilt Collection

Love how beautifully arranged it is and how lovely it looks both up close and from a distance.

Antique Quilts - A Month of Celebrating Antique Quilts - Day 23 - Antique Red and Green Quilts

 This amazing antique applique quilt is one of the stars of my collection and the star of my Birds and Blooms trunk show (now available as a virtual online presentation).  Click on this photo to see the details - check out that intense 1/4 inch grid quilting!

Isn't this one of the most gorgeous antique red and green quilts! Starley Antique Quilt Collection.

Antique Quilts - Day 18 of Antique Quilt Show - Red and Green Antique Quilts

 Antique quilts - a month-long festival of antique quilts! Bethlehem Star or Mathematical Star. Starley Antique Quilt Collection. Love all the interesting applique accents! Likely made in the Eastern Seaboard area - perhaps Maryland. Circa 1840s.

Click on the photos to enlarge and see these amazing fabrics - circa 1840s!

More delicious greens and Turkey reds!

Day 16 A Month of Antique Quilts! Red and Green Antique Caesars Crown Quilt

Last week I shared one of my antique Caesars Crown quilts from Southeastern Pennsylvania and said that I had more including some that are signature quilts. Here's one of my Caesar's Crown signature quilts - an amazing piece of history.

The full quilt. Such a formal quilt ... except that the placement of the white centers creates such movement.

A close-up of one of the blocks. Each block has a message like a "Tribute of Respect" along with the person's name and hometown.Most also have the classic signature quilt sentiment, "Remember Me When This You See" or simply "Remember Me" and the date of 1851.

"Tribute of Respect by Esther Eschbach/ Colebrookdale Tps, Berks Co PA Remember Me When This you see 1851" Click on block to see more detail and the yummy fabrics.

 The crowning detail is the ownership/dedication block reading"Elizabeth Bickel or Bectel -His (sic) Property In the Year of Our Lord 1851, Berks/Montgomery County Pennsylvania". 

This ownership block was appliqued to the quilt border before the quilt was quilted. It is done in German script called Fraktur writing by a professional writer or scrivener, William Ehst. The blocks were also written by him not the individuals named.

Part of my Sign of the Times, Antique Signature Quilt Trunk show and class. Now available as an online - Zoom class. 

 

Post 9 - A Month of Antique Quilts - Antique Red and Green Signature Quilt

 Thanks for joining me for another antique quilt. Hope you are enjoying seeing all these different antique quilts and learning a bit of history too. Please leave me a comment and let me know if there is a special pattern or design or color scheme you'd like to see. I just might have what you are looking for in my collection.

Red and Green Signature quilt from Easton, Pennsylvania. An interesting and unusual combination of blocks.

Presentation quilt inscribed and dated: "Easton PA 1846. Presented to Solon Chapin by his Mother in law Mrs. Hocker 1846". This is the presentation block: (click to enlarge) and read

This block was made as a memorial for her friend who had died during the making of the quilt at aged 86.

Solon was a famous bridge architect and lived in Easton Pennsylvania. 

Here is the full quilt which is large, 98" x 100":

Antique Hand Quilting Antique Hearts Signature Quilt Day 28

Today's antique hand quilted quilt from the Starley Quilt Collection is full of LOVE!

It was made for a beloved Sunday School teacher - Esther McAllister whose husband was the reverend of the Willet Street Church (Methodist Episcopalian) in New York City. But is was made for her because of her works not because she was the pastor's wife. This is shown by the poignant poem below:

Antique Hand Quilting Day 27 - Rocky Road To Kansas

Today's antique hand quilted quilt is a jazzy Rocky Road to Kansas or Kite block quilt from Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, circa 1890. Only in Southeastern PA would this double pink Greek Key stripe fabric be considered a neutral. 

The backing is a fabulous neon print in green, pink, and black. People think clothing back then was boring but they used prints like this for everyday dresses.

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The full quilt - look at all those stripes! Love how they are all in a line for the borders and go every which way in the blocks.

This block is part of my Patterns Through Time lecture where I share at least 2 examples of about a dozen different designs from the early 1800s to mid 1900s. You learn quilt history while looking at amazing quilts.

Here the Lancaster quilt is shown in the lecture with a much larger scale Rocky Road circa 1930s made by my Great Grandmother Isabelle Rogers in Kanosh, Millard Co., Utah.

A Jolly Quilt-mas, A Month of Antique Hand Quilting - Day 26 Red and Green French Star

I couldn't do a month of antique quilts without one of my favorite patterns, the French Star. To see another early French Star from the Starley collection, visit Day 3 of this month long journey.

Look at the beautiful grid background quilting and the curves in the swag. Click on photos to enlarge and see details.

Can't go wrong with a swag border and this one is quite impressive. The quilt is from Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, circa 1865/1870.

The uncommon French Star pattern is part of my Patterns Through Time trunk show (a combination of quilt history, eye candy, and humor). A recent review hailed it as the perfect blend of education and entertainment. The lecture features about a dozen patterns with at least 2 examples per pattern spanning the early 1800s to mid 1900s.  An example are the 2 French Stars below - red/green quilt circa 1870 and multi-colored top circa 1940s. I'd love to come share a bit of my collection with your guild, shop, or show. See more information in the pages (tabs below main banner photo, top of page).

French Star quilts are also part of my Antique Stars  and Quilt Masterpieces trunk shows. I also do custom designed lectures on request. Have Antique Quilts - Will Travel!

Month of Antique Quilts - Christmas Stars Day 25

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I couldn't do a month of antique hand quilting without sharing this amazing antique Christmas Star quilt with some stunning hand quilting - now in the Starley Quilt Collection. Circa 1850.

Look at that trapunto work - love the 5 point star - stars in stars! Don't forget to click on pictures to enlarge and see the details.

And that quilted pineapple!!! Oh my !

The full quilt in all its glory. What a triumph of hand quilting. Ps. Have Antique Quilts, Will Travel and bring treasures to your guild or show or shop.