Hmmmmm, what treasure to share tonight? One of my absolute favorites is this Rose of Sharon with fabulous applique birds, berries, and blooms. The star of my Birds and Blooms trunkshow.
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!!
You may have already noticed that I like Star Quilts. Most people like stars and they are the most popular pattern but with the last name of Starley, it is little wonder that they feature prominently in my antique quilt collection. I especially like unusual or uncommon star patterns like the French Star pattern shown here.
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.
Hope you are enjoying seeing a bit of my collection. I have a strong focus on antique signature quilts as they are such significant pieces of history. And I gravitate to the very oldest signature quilts made in the 1840s when they started to be made.
Today's treasure is a Carpenter's Star variation with AMAZING hand quilting!
Thanks for stopping by for another installment of this month's blogathon of antique quilts from the Starley Quilt Collection.
I'm again joining in on the 31 Days of Blogging Challenge led by Cheryl Sleboda, Muppin.com.
For the SEVENTH YEAR in a row Cheryl Sleboda of Muppin.com is leading her December 31 Day Blogger Challenge and for the SEVENTH YEAR, I am joining in. I'll need to post twice today to catch up. I hope you'll consider joining in too (click blue to learn more). It is a great way to get back in the blogging groove, if you've lost your mojo. Or just a good way to keep going and get motivation and new viewers. Hope you'll check back in to see all the treasures I'll be sharing.
Cool new Geese block for the August Color Challenge.
For the 3rd year, I'm joining in on a fun project run by Jen of PBJ, Patterns By Jen; her awesome free mystery quilt - the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge. August pattern link. Pattern is free during August.
This year the inspiration is healthy fruits and vegetables. August's pallette is supposed to be the standard tan Mushrooms. However, I'm taking my color cues from the more unusual orange mushroom to match my prior blocks.
There are some really cool orange mushrooms - look at this collage of them from The Nature Treasure Hunt.
Jen provides great instructions for each monthly free pattern and gets fab sponsors/prizes too (see more below). Join in by posting a picture of your block at her link-up (see pattern link above).
August's Geese again features the quick & easy way to create a flock of flying geese but I wanted to do a scrappier version so I modified the pattern and used 2 fabrics (triangles instead of a large square) for my geese.
Next step is to draw sewing/cutting lines on the background squares. I use a special ruler to mark all the lines.
Cut again on the center lines and voila, 4 easy Flying Geese units. Pair each goose with a rectangle and then join these sets together for a cool new block.
August Bloggers
Anja - Anja Quilts
Sandra - Textile Time Travels
Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting
Andi - True Blue Quilts
Crystal - Daybrook Designs
Patti - Patti's Patchwork
Ashli - Quilt 2 End Alz
Kate - Katie Mae Quilts
Zimmerman family quilt from Montgomery Co. Pennsylvania, 1840s - Starley antique quilt collection.
The quilt was made for Cecilia Zimmerman.
I hope you have already been touring and sewing all around the United States with the Around - US Tour! If not, then you have a LOT of new blocks to learn about since we are already on Block #23. Yes, you'll have a great new sewing project for the new year. Of course with Utah being the Beehive State, I had to make a beehive block. And since the top right corner of the state was cut out for Wyoming, I had to add that too. I used colors that represent the natural beauty of our "Pretty, Great State".
Of course, you can travel virtually to all the states (and some territories too) or just make a few of your favorite blocks. Perhaps you'll make a small quilt representing the states you've lived in or visited. Maybe that will make a big quilt if you moved or traveled a lot. You'll want to visit the main site after you are done making your Utah block.
I hope you'll enjoy this tutorial. (PS. A bit about me -Sandra Starley - Textile Time Travels. I'm an AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser & an avid antique quilt collector. I love sharing my collection in virtual online trunk shows (can't wait to do live ones again) and quilt classes -see tabs aboe for more info. I'd love to come to your guild, show, or shop. I enjoy recreating quilts in my collection and design new ones -patterns available in my Etsy shop Textile Time Travels. Follow me via Textile Time Travels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
**All the instructions are listed below. Nothing to download**
The cutting and piecing is all simple so if you are new to quilting, please jump in!!
You'll just need scraps as the longest cut is 5 1/2". ALL strips are cut 1 1/2" High. I used 2 blues alternating (light and medium) for background and 2 yellow/browns for the Beehive. Plus 1 small rectangle for Wyoming (top right corner) and 1 small square for the hive opening. Just 6 fabrics. All cutting measurements are below next to the pictured rows.
Row 2 Med blue (2) 1 1/2 x 2 1/2, Yellow 1 1/2 x 2 1/2"
Row 3- Lt blue (2) 1 1/2 x 2, Brown 1 1/2 x 3 1/2"
Row 4 Med blue (2) 1 1/2 x 1 1/2, Yellow 1 1/2 x 4 1/2"
Row 5 Lt blue (2) 1 1/2 x 1, Brown 1 1/2 x 5 1/2"
Row 6 Yellow (2) 1 1/2 x 3, Dk. brown 1 1/2 x 1 1/2"
Sew by ROWS - join pieces. Start with row 1, sew blue and light pieces together. Row 2, sew blue to yellow and then add another blue to the yellow. See the layout above and below.
