Day 11 Farmers Fancy

Love this circular darling - it is truly cheddarlicious and yummy! Another treasure from Julie Silber and the Quilt Complex. Didn't come with provenance but it is very like from Virginia or West Virginia where this pattern is seen the most. This pattern is a great example of regional patterns.

Yikes day 11 means this will be post 21 and 22 of the month as I have 2 blogs
stop by and see my art and repro quilt blog too.

Full quilt - isn't it wonderful!

And the spiky border is such a great finishing touch.

And here is my booth at the 2014 HMQS - Home Machine Quilting Show. I do love cheddar!

day 10 - Quaker Signature quilt

Love sharing this beautiful signature quilt that is also a genealogical treasure.
It was made in 1850 (dated) for Enoch Worrall and Mary Hoopes Worrall from Chester Co. Pennsylvania.

Detail showing center block which lists their children (living and deceased) and states that it is "Enoch and Mary Worrall's Quilt".

Amy Davis, Forget Me Not. You can see the whip stitching from the English paper piecing technique used to piece the quilt blocks.

Mary Ann & Edith Trego's block has a whale. Many of the whalers of the time were Quakers. So maybe these girls (age 10 and 12) had an uncle who was a whaling captain.

Day 9 Caesars Crown

I've had a single Caesar's Crown quilt top for about 8 years but this spring/summer I (somehow) ended up with 4 more including 3 signature or name inscribed quilts. The most striking one is this red, green and cheddary SE PA signature quilt from 1851. From 2 small townships in Berks/Montgomery Co, PA

A presentation quilt for Elizabeth Bickel with sentiments of "tribute of respect" and "when this you see, remember me" on the blocks. The makers used a professional scrivener - a person paid to inscribe the names and the blocks and the also the dedication block. There are Pennsylvania German's - note it says "his" property. The scrivener likely lived in a German speaking world.

Beautiful quilting - unusual to see so much lovely quilting in a signature quilt.

Day 8 and post #100 1858 Heart Quilt

This beautiful signature quilt was made for Sister McAlister of the Willett St. Methodist Episcopal church in New York City. She was a founder of the Sunday School program and her husband was the Reverend at the church. She was born in England and he in Ireland. It is dated 1858, they were both in their 30s. Full of love for Sister McAlister.

This block's sentiment is from the Bible 1 Peter 4: 12-13
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Signed by Almira Losee, NY 1858 (quilt made in New York City for Methodist Episcopalian Sunday School Leader Esther McAlister.

I adore how this quilt literally exudes love - look at how many blocks have multiple hearts in them!

And if you look very closely, you'll see there are hidden hearts in the centers of the 2 wreaths on the right. Lots of Methodist Episcopal hymns and Bible verses and other expressions of love.

Would anyone like to do this as a pattern? Perhaps as a sew-along?

Day 7 Birds and Baskets

A Christmasy bird popping by to say hello!
c. 1860 basket quilt purchased from Julie Silber of the Quilt Complex. 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.

76" x 92"

Day 6ish Blue Houses

It is the 6th day of my blogging (6th entry) just not the quite the 6th calendar day.

Such a happy quilt. Purchased from Mark French (French72) on ebay. c. 1900 (1890-1910)

I believe from Ohio.

I especially like this block that is a white house instead of a blue house like the rest of the neighborhood. Nice range of blue fabrics and small scale shirtings.

Here's the full quilt, love the quirky borders too.

Day 5 - PA pillowcase

I was finally able to find a Pennsylvania pillowcase to add to my collection. My friend, Ann Hermes, who literally wrote the book on Pennsylvania Patchwork Pillowcases (you can buy the book and even your own antique PA pillowcase on her etsy store).

PA Pillowcase 17" x 25"

From the etsy listing: "This patchwork pillowcase, dating to ca. 1880 is a rare textile form from Southeastern counties of Pennsylvania. The interesting feature about this pillowcase is that it contains, along with patchwork squares, a piece of cheater fabric, also called printed patchwork, produced by the Cocheco Manufacturing Co. in New Hampshire."

The star fabric is the "cheater print" which means it is printed in the fabric rather than pieced or sewn. I'm a big fan of antique cheater fabrics.

Detail of backing which is also pieced.

Pillowcase backing

Day 4 Trapunto Carpenter Star variation

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Featured today is an early Carpenters Star variation with stunning trapunto or stuffed quilting, part of the Starley quilt collection. And available to come to a quilt guild near you. Purchased from Fourth Corner Molly of Washington State via ebay. c. 1840s

It has been interesting over these past 8 blog entries (4 days with 2 blogs) how freeing it has been to just post quickly and not obsess. A friend noted that she was blogging fast like a "slacker" and I disagreed because she was doing a post even if not a deep posting. And I just saw another blogger mention how easy it is to just share on facebook. So I'm trying to post more loosely here and make it as easy as facebook. 

Most of these posts will be quite brief and short on information so if you have questions, please ask in the comments section.

In the full shot you can appreciate the dense figural quilting.

Absolutely adore the 5 pointed star with circular feather frame. And come in closer, closer, closer ... look at the intense background stippling. This maker LOVED to quilt.

And check out the pineapple and other wonderful quilting.

Day 3 Early Flower Garden

3 days - and still going strong :)  Trying to just "do it" and not overthink.

I've got a new (antique)  hexagon quilt - grandmother's flower garden but in a unique setting design. The quilt is almost 100 years before the standard grandmother's flower garden -- circa 1830s!!

Love the small flowers and the setting with the blue frame.

Adore the glazed chintz border - yummy

day 2 - Goose in the Pond

Day 2 of the daily blogathon - so far so good. Here's one of my first antique quilts and it is still one of my favorites. Goose in the Pond or Gentleman's Fancy. C. 1900 from Ohio. Note the triangle "coping strips" added to the block to make it fit with the rest of the blocks. So the maker experienced "technical difficulties" but SEWED ON!!!

The full quilt

and another close-up ... Contact me if you'd like to see any of my collection in the cloth. Have quilts, will travel!

December Blog-a-thon Begins

My quilty friend Cheryl Sleboda (aka Muppin, arched eyebrows, quilty skulls, etc.) issued a challenge to blog every day in December and I am jumping in.
To join in or simply to see what others are up to here's the link or you can cut/paste
http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/ 

And she made it easy with a note that day 1 could just be a join up. Check - easy, peasy!

 And here's a bit of an antique sampler in my collection. Enjoy

My Block's in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks!!

I am sew thrilled to finally be able to share a truly fun block that I made back in February for the just released Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine issue #12. A big welcome to my new visitors who are stopping by from Quiltmakers Blog Tour. I hope you'll enjoy seeing my block and learning a bit about me: Sandra Starley, AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser, antique quilt collector and lecturer, quilt designer, etc. and leaving a comment to be part of the GIVE-AWAY to win a your own copy of the magazine with photos and patterns for all 100 blocks (more about that later). . .

Drumroll: Here is my Echoing Churn Dash!!!!

I love using black and white and hot pink and polka dots. I also had fun with the sewing themed fabric used in the outer edges of the block (buttons, pins, and scissors). It was interesting to play with the traditional design and create an "echoing" pattern.

As a quilt appraiser, I spend a lot of time studying quilt history and collecting antique quilts. I love to share my collection in quilt history trunk shows, quilt study classes and more. If you are looking for an entertaining and informative speaker/teacher for your quilt show, retreat, etc. please feel free to contact. I have an extensive antique quilt collection and would love to share them with you.

I also really enjoy giving old quilts "New Life" by remaking antique quilts both as close reproductions and modern makeovers. Echoing Churn Dash is one of my modernized blocks.
I was inspired by this funky churn dash/monkey wrench quilt in my collection. This quilt maker clearly sewed to the beat of her own machine.

Monkey Business, antique monkey wrench, c. 1880.

Here is another inspiring antique quilt - Amish Churn Dash- circa 1920 that would be right at home at any modern quilt show.

Amish Churn Dash, Donna Starley owner, c. 1920

Give away - now closed (but comments are still welcome)
 Comment #4 Janet O. and #115 Barefoot Thunder will be getting a copy of  Quiltmakers 100 blocks.
Thank you for all the great comments!!!

2 GIVE AWAYS-- Quiltmaker is generously sponsoring a giveaway, please leave 1 comment for a chance to win your own copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Issue #12.  Since I love working with antique blocks, share your favorite traditional block in your comment. And to make things twice as fun, I will also be giving away a copy of QM Issue #12 to a lucky commentor.
Be sure you leave your email, if you are a no reply or anonymous blogger, so you don't miss out.
Leave just 1 comment and on November 23rd at 3 p.m. Eastern, I will pick 2 winners. After commenting, be sure to click on the photo below to visit QM to see more blocks and join in more giveaways.

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/

Antique Quilt Retreat St George Utah Jan. 2016

Detail of signature album quilt, New York City, 1858

Do you love antique quilts? Have you been saying you want to learn about quilt history and see lots of antique quilts, up close? Well, now is your chance! I will be doing a 4 day antique quilt study retreat as part of the Quilt St. George quilt retreat on January 6-9, 2016 in St. George, Utah. If you don't live within easy driving distance, you can fly into Las Vegas and drive over (only 120 miles).

I will be doing 4 antique quilt/quilt history presentations:

Dinner lecture Wednesday a Quilted Garden
Come see a field full of beautiful floral applique quilts. And no garden is complete without birds (on quilts), so I'll bring plenty of those too!

Detail of basket quilt with appliques, New York, c. 1850

Antique Quilt and Genealogy Roadshow
Learn how to find out more about your family history from inherited quilts and how to research signature quilts. And of course, you'll see wonderful quilts.

Signature Block, dated 1853

Sweet Little Things
Love antique doll and crib quilts? Time to see delightful antique doll and crib quilts and make a reproduction doll quilt too.

Whig Rose with birds, crib quilt. c. 1850

Quilt dating game Saturday Lunch Lecture

Come play the quilt dating game and learn about quilt dating, appraising, values, etc. And see a lot of amazing antique quilts.

c. 1885 Tumbling Block Star Quilt, SE PA

Caesar's Crown

One of the joys of writing about quilts is getting a chance to photograph and study quilts in my collection. I have been writing about quilt history for almost 3 years for the National Quilting Association and have just started a new column for Discover Vintage America, a midwest antique publication (more about that in a later post).

c. 1860 Pennsylvania

My recent NQA article was on the interesting block Caesar's Crown, King David's Crown, Crown of Thorns, Full Blown Tulip, etc. etc. (many different names and piecing variations). One of my favorite thing about the pattern is the secondary cross or bells formed when the blocks are joined without sashing (see above).

It is not a very common pattern due to the difficult curved piecing involved in the design. YES, you read that correctly, the block is generally curved pieced not appliqued. In finding a few more to add to my collection, I was surprised to find that it was used as a signature quilt pattern in the 1840s and 50s and even a century later in the 1940's and 50s.

Dated 1850, signature quilt, Pennsylvania 

And here's one from c. 1945 with names embroidered in the centers.

C. 1945 signature top

Enjoy!