Post 17 - A MONTH of ANTIQUE QUILTS - Antique Red and Green Quilts

 Another antique Red and Green quilt treasure for your enjoyment!  Tonight's quilt is a faded or "ghost" quilt - the green dye used on the alternating feathers and other elements was not stable. 

See how there is a variation on all the green sections- a hint of the likely grass green color the fabric was when appliqued onto the quilt. Click on the photo to see more detail. This type of unstable dye or fabric is called "fugitive". The faded green is such a strong contrast to the very stable Turkey Red.

Despite the faded green, the quilt is still an impressive display of applique work.  The pattern is Prince's Feather or Princess Feather. Clearly the maker was not afraid of curves and sharp inside points (with very little seam allowance) on those intricate feathers.And then the way she put the blocks together is pure genius with the feathers going in alternating directions to create a secondary design and then the wonderful border baskets and central motif. I can just imagine how stunning it was back in the day.

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. 

 

Day 15: Antique Quilt Festival - A Month of Antique Quilts - Red and Green

I can't do a Red and Green antique quilt festival without my favorite quilt which just happens to be a glorious, over the top, a red and green masterpiece! It is the most joyful quilt I've ever seen. And it is the star of my Birds and Blooms trunk show (available now as a Zoom, virtual presentation).

Who doesn't love antique quilts with flowers and birds? No one I want to know! I love how the birds are happily diving into the berries. I call the quilt: Quilted Joy!

The full quilt in all its glory. It is a 9 block Rose of Sharon Quilt (set 3 x 3 blocks -squint to see past the busy layout). The maker did not believe in negative space and every inch is covered with applique

And look at that border that will not be contained in the border area but instead boldly crowds far into the blocks. And all of this is topped with a lot of wonderful hand quilting.

There are 4 of the larger red birds and 4 of these little yellow and pink birds. Simply delightful. Be sure to click on the photos to see the beautiful details and quilting.

WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN? The pattern for the small Quilted Joy is on sale for the first (20% off to end 2020), click here to buy the pattern on my Etsy Shop Textile Time Travels 

(all patterns are on sale for December).

Post 14: Antique Quilt Extravaganza: A Month of Antique Quilts Red and Green Quilt Festival

 Post 14 Red and Green Antique Quilt Festival. Okay, today's quilt is Pink and Green (close enough to Red, isn't it) and are quilt blocks (again, close enough, I hope). One of the happiest set of blocks, I've ever found. They come from SouthEastern Pennsylvania.

Aren't these blocks utterly delightful!! Somebody really liked to do applique!

And this is a mock-up of a quilt from the blocks (thanks Karen Alexander for this sample).

And finally, here is what I believe is the quilt made by the same maker (and my blocks are leftover blocks). Found by Donna Vitale in Maxatawny, Berks Co., PA (SE PA) and dated 1890. These blocks were all placed in the same direction, unlike the mock-up above.

Day 13 - A Month of Antique Quilts - Antique Red and Green Quilts

 Here's another antique Red and Green treasure, but a very different quilt from what you usually picture when you hear Red and Green Quilts. This is an antique signature quilt from Southeastern Pennsylvania and is a hand pieced and hand quilted quilt. 

The pattern is Rolling Stone and the blocks are set on point (diagonal set).

A close-up of one of the signature center squares, this for Levi Laudermilch (German) or Laudermilk in more English communities. This pattern was very popular for making signature quilts in the last half of the 19th century 1850 to 1890s in German communities in SE PA (areas around Philadelphia).

Another look that really shows off the cool feature of this quilt: the alternating red and green star blocks. There were a number of these signature Rolling Stone quilts made in SE PA but this is the only one I've found (so far) with an alternating star block.

Day 12 - A Month of Antique Quilts - Red and Green Antique Quilts

 Ready for another antique quilt? I hope so! I've got another Red and Green French Star quilt for you.

It is one of my absolute favorite patterns. And I was tickled when I recently found this one that was so similar to the one above. Aren't they both lovely! To see more of this 2nd one see my post from earlier this month.

Here's the full shot of antique French Star quilt #1

And another shot of it where you can see all the hand quilting - click on pic to enlarge.

And here it is with another French Star from my collection. I love sharing them in my Patterns Through Time lecture. Contact me if you are interested in seeing them virtually in an online presentation.

Day 11 - Antique Quilt Festival - A Month of Antique Quilts Red and Green

 Tonight's quilt is a delightful Whig Rose/Rose of Sharon/Whig's Defeat c. 1850 with wonderful triple rod quilting. Adore the border baskets. Starley Antique Quilt Collection

    A close-up one of the folksy flowers. Click on the photo to enlarge and see the intense triple rodded (3 close lines) hand quilting. Sooooo much hand quilting!

This maker did not believe in negative space! Every inch is filled with wonderful applique. If you squint, you'll see that it is a 9 block Whig Rose quilt (blocks straight set 3 x 3). 

Here it is hanging with some of its antique red and green quilt friends.

Day 10 Antique Quilt Festival - Month of Antique Quilts

 Today's antique quilt is a Red and Green Antique Oak Leaf or Reel quilt with hand applique and lots of straight-line hand quilting. 

This Reel has nice sashing and great diamond in square corner posts and FIVE borders to really frame the blocks.

The full quilt, a quite formal red and green quilt.

More of the quilt. And the single block/quiltlet is my repro version made for a potholder project for Pam Weeks. Potholder quilts are constructed of blocks that are individually quilted and bound

Here's a close-up of my little quilt. Click on photo to enlarge. Hand applique and hand quilted.

Here's my repro block in Pam Week's potholder quilt (middle, right side). I'm hoping her book on antique potholder quilts will be out soon/

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":

Day 8 - A Month of Antique Quilts - Antique Red and Green Crib Quilt

 Thanks again for visiting my blog. Here's a small treasure for you. 
Such a charming antique crib quilt with a center Lily, Tulip, or Peony block (goes by many names). 

Great chintz borders too. Starley quilt collection.

Here's a close-up of two of the fab fabrics. Click on the photo to see it close-up. The green is a two-step dye (yellow + blue = green) and in several spots the yellow has gone away leaving blue. The red is a Turkey Red - a fabric which required many steps to create.

Day 7 - A Month of Antique Quilts - Red and Green Applique Quilt

 Thanks again for following along and viewing and commenting. Y'all help make this fun.

Today's quilt is an unique (so far) version of coxcomb and currant pattern, circa 1850. The only one I have seen with the berries making a figure 8 around the combs. Also they only one I've seen with this interesting border combination. Starley quilt collection.

 You've got to love all those dots!!! And that limey green. Such a dotty and happy quilt!

And the interesting border with the 4 floral vase arrangement (and more dots) and the four petalled circles. Simply exquisite.

Day 6 - Monthlong Antique Quilt Festival - Antique Red and Green Peony or Lily Quilt

 I'm having such fun sharing these treasures. Glad you are enjoying them! Thank you for your comments- keep them coming. It makes it much more fun. 

Today's quilt is a formal Peony or Lily quilt made informal with the folky, free-form placement of the stems and leaves.

I love how the top one is quite folky while the 2nd one is much more calm and linear.

The full quilt. It is quite large and again seems so formal until you zoom in on the details. It is actually quite charming. A graphic red & green lily or peony quilt that is hand pieced, hand appliqued, and hand quilted, with early fabrics dating from 1830-1850.   This quilt is from the pre- civil war era.

It features a sampler of quilting motifs including sunflowers.

And maple leaves.

And one more fun little flower.

Post 5: A Month Full of Antique Quilts - Antique Red and Green Caesar's Crown Quilt

 I love sharing these antique quilts with you. Thank you for all the nice comments so far, I really appreciate hearing from you. 

Here's another of my favorites (yes, almost all of these are my favorites - are you shocked?), a Red and Green Caesar's Crown from Southeastern Pennsylvania, circa 1860.

Be sure to click on the first picture to see it up close! It is all hand pieced NOT appliqued. Look at how sharp those points are!

 

My favorite feature of this pattern is the secondary design created when the blocks are set straight together with no sashing. Do you see the white cross or 4 white bells? You may have to squint a bit. 

You probably can see the cross now, I hope. Such a great pattern.

Here it is hanging out with 2 more antique Caeser's Crowns that are also from Southeastern PA. The others are signature quilts.