Wonderful 1876 Centennial Zigzag Triangle Quilt - Mary Schafer Collection

The Mercer Museum had an great exhibit of Mary Schafer Quilts- antiques that she collected as well as quilts that she made.
One of my favs was this zigzag triangle quilt - it is dated 1876. It was a top when Mary found it and she added the borders and hand quilted it.

The light middle flag print is an 1876 Centennial fabric

Look at the minty green center triangle (synthetic aldehyde green)- a good clue to an 1876/ 1880s quilt

And here in the middle below the yellow gold stripe is the where the maker signed and dated the quilt. She was from Michigan. Dated 1876

Another aldehyde green (top right corner) and a tag pointing to another centennial eagle print.

Turn of Century Quilts -Unusual cigar band silks quilt and Signature Drunkard's Path

More wonderful treasures from my quilt appraisal educational journeys. Revisiting the Millyard Museum Manchester New Hampshire.

There was a quilt exhibit and here are two more of the delightful quilts.  1st up is an unusual cigar band quilt from Massachusetts. Circa 1900

2nd is a striking red/white Drunkard's Path quilt that is also a signature quilt and from Manchester!

Saint Patricks Day Antique Quilt Wild Goose Chase

Perfect Quilt for St. Patricks day from the Starley Collection. Enjoy

Stunning Stars from AQSG Seminar 2017

More wonderful star quilts from the special quilt exhibit at the American Quilt Study Group seminar in New Hampshire last October featuring quilts from the collections of Debra Grana and Sharon Waddell.

Fabulous Bethlehem Star framed with Sunflowers and again with those New England poster corner cutouts. Circa 1850, found in Maine. Debra Grana.

Circle Star - Sharon Waddell Collection

And this Circle Star quilt circa 1870 from Massachusetts is another stunner! So many curves and points in this quilt. And look at the secondary double diamond pattern created by careful color placement.

Hexie Fun Vintage Hexagon Quilt

Hexagon quilts have been around for a long time, since the 1700s in England. Yes, hexie madness is nothing new. I'm particularly fond of hexagons pieced in the medallion setting. Here's one from the 1950s, part of the Starley Quilt Collection.

If this came across my appraisal table I would note the strong visual, graphic appeal due to the careful color placement. Note that it starts out as a simple flower garden rosette and just keeps getting better and better.

Close of the nice variety of prints and solids

Two Antique Quilts from Maine and one is a Potholder Quilt

Yes, I said potholder  ... One of the joys of the American Quilt Study Group annual seminar is the antique quilt show (and the vendor booths). The 2017 Seminar had an amazing exhibit by collectors Debra Grana and Sharon Waddell. I'm sharing two of Deb's now and the first is a potholder quilt.

A potholder is a quilt as you go technique where each block is quilted and bound (treated like an individual small quilt) and then joined together to make a complete quilt. This example was done in two parts or perhaps cut in half.  *Potholder quilts are uncommon but most often were made in Maine or have some connection to Maine.

Quilt #2 Also from Maine - Debra Grana Collection.  A wonderful sampler, c. 1860. The sashing is a fugitive purple that turns to shades of brown from light exposure. T cut out for a poster bed like this one is a strong clue to a New England origin.

Unusual Star Quilts -French Star Variation

I'm always on the search for unusual quilt patterns, the more unique and older, the better. And I really like the uncommon French Star pattern and variations. Here's one from my traveling antique collection, Antique Stars trunk show. Enjoy

Antique Fabrics 1875 swatch books

Amazing Drawings on 1842 Antique Irish Chain Signature Quilt, 1842 dated quilt

I have a large number of wonderful antique signature quilts which I share in my Sign of the Times, Signature Quilt lecture and quilt study. Most are pretty early -1840s and 50s and many have drawings, inkings with the signatures but this Irish Chain dated 1842 has the most intricate inkings I've ever seen.

One of the most amazing blocks/designs is this multi-masted sailing ship

And wonderful sentiments and Biblical quotes accompany the drawings

This scene is really different and unusual

And this cornucopia of flowers is just lovely

Here is a bit of the quilt top: Double Irish Chain with heart appliques - Starley Quilt Collection. I'm still researching and trying to figure out the origins of the quilt, it appears to be from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Surnames of Pruitt and  Dummar.

Antique Crewel Quilt 1840 New England Quilt Museum

As part of my continuing education as  quilt appraiser and quilt history lecture, I attend visit antique quilt museums and quilt history seminars. Here is another treasure from my antique quilt travels. 1840s crewel work embroidered wool quilt from the New England Quilt Museum

Part of the "Gilding the Lily" exhibit.  Here's the full quilt (cut out corners -an early New England quilt clue).

Quilt label

And remember you can always click on the individual photos to enlarge them and see details.

Amazing Antique Applique Album - New England Quilt Museum

This is one of the most amazing applique quilts that I've ever seen in the cloth. I've been blessed to see it twice at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts (2007 and  2017), both visits with the American Quilt Study Group (AQSG)

It has wonderful bird, baskets, houses, hunting scenes, flowers, etc. all framed by interlocking rings and a lovely floral border. 

Circa 1850, New York State. It is a summer spread (edges finished but not batted or quilted). Hand applique and hand embroidery. 

A woodpecker? Click on the photo to enlarge and see the embroidered details

Morning Glory being visited by a hummingbird

Hound after a stag.

And more of the piece.