On the Fly or the Wing, Antique Bird Quilts at MOKA

Had a wonderful time last week flying with my feathered friends to Kansas for the Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas Quilt Study Group, aka MOKA.

Here are some of the quilts that joined me for my Birds and Blooms Trunk Show.  And the reviews are in - it was a great success. Thank you to everyone who organized the event, especially Martha Spark and to everyone who attended.

Antique Tumbling Block Star Quilts

I have a fascination with this group of tumbling block stars quilts with a single solid fabric star block in the center of the quilt... put tumbling block in my search box  (top left corner) and see lots more of my collection. All are from 1880s/90s and Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania

Flower Pot Cheater Print Wholecloth quilt

Revisiting this wonderful chintz cheater fabric (preprinted patchwork) featuring a rose flower pot and separate roses surrounded by simulated (printed not pieced) 9 patches.

Several books list it as dating from 1850s to 1870s but I've seen it in a dated 1843 signature quilt from Pennsylvania/New Jersey so it actually from late 1830s to early 1840s.

The alternating faux 9 patch blocks have fabulous fabrics that seem so modern. I especially like the jungle inspired pattern that look like giraffe

And here is the lovely backing - buff and blue stripe

Chintz, Glorious Chintz

Wow, MOKA was a wonderful, colorful, educational experience. So many great people and so many amazing quilts and lots of glorious chintz fabrics. Here's a taste

MOKA Quilt Study Group - Birds and Blooms

I had a delightful time presenting at the MOKA Quilt Study Group! What an amazing event from the wonderful presentations to the museum tour. And the show and share took 2 evenings and probably could have filled several more.

Start of my Birds and Blooms power point & trunk show with Quilted Joy, Rose of Sharon

I hope that you will all join the national American Quilt Study Group and then also search out your area/regional Quilt Study Group like MOKA. If there isn't one in your area, I hope you'll be inspired to create your own.

Another action shot -Whig Rose Crib Quilt

My Four Block Eagle from Pennsylvania

MOKA Birds & Blooms

I had a great time sharing my antique Birds & Blooms trunk show @MOKA quilt study group meeting in Kansas . What a great group of people & an amazing early quilt event. Visit their Facebook group page to see lots of photos.

MOKA quilt study

Having a great time presenting, sharing antique signature quilts, at the MOKA quilt study group in Overland Park Kansas.

MOKA quilt study group

At MOKA - sharing antique quilts - 1st event and then show & share- fab

Antique Quilted Joy In Flight

This little birdie is flying with me to Kansas! Sew excited to be sharing my antique treasures with MOKA quilt study group

Love this joyous pre-civil war quilt

1840s New Jersey Signature Album

More from the dated 1846 New Jersey signature album .. this will take some investigating.  One of the 1st questions is what are the weird fractions with the dates?

Sweet Dreams - Simply Charming Vintage Quilt

Delightful embroidered quilt - a wonderful vintage find. I hit the jackpot in Las Vegas. The hand embroidered and hand quilted quilt features adorable animals like this bluebird couple.

And who can resist a SQUIRREL

I was so surprised to see this funny frog on a lilypad :)

And this sweet little kitten playing with a ball of yarn. It now lives with a friend - gifted for arranging an amazing quilt retreat

Churn Dash Charmer - Vintage Quilt

Absolutley adore this vintage Churn Dash quilt made by my paternal grandmother Fern Starley

Such a charming variety of floral prints!

Fabulous Antique Signature Quilt, Rolling Stone Variation

Love this new to me Flying Crow or Rolling Stone variation quilt  from SE Pennsylvania. New addition to my Sign of the Times, Antique Signature Quilt Trunk show (booking now - tell your guild  or show committee).  This block has a wonderful leaf inking. C. 1850.

This block has a simple name but the colors are FAB!

And you have to love Lea's inked Bird! 

More of the fabulousness.

Beautiful Blue Chimney Album - Antique Quilt Top

Wonderful early prints in this chimney album - circa 1840s, 1850s. That blue sashing is a stunner!

Look at that lovely purple print!

Deaccessioned from the collection of Manhattan's former Traphagen School of Fashion/Design. Inventory tag still attached.

The full quilt

Civil War Signature Quilt- Antique Signature Quilt

"Be Kind to All Man Kind" -- can't be said (or done) too much! Detail of 1860s signature album block quilt top from New York.

Such beautiful fabrics!

"Love God with all Your Heart" Hannah Sherwood.

Just adore this amazing blue floral! Enjoy