Bought to copy #2

We rescue quilts like this because we want to study them a bit. I've so enjoyed this raggedy piece. How I would have loved to have seen it in it's pre-washed and bleached-to-death prime.

Let's examine the structure of it. It is a medallion quilt - and the piecing is fairly regular, despite the profusion of fabrics used. Although even those blend together in an amazing way, thanks to a common colors used: lots of white, red and blue - mainly Hawaiian fruity style.

The center is a mix of nine-patches and 4" blocks. A 1 1/2" inch border surrounds it. Next comes a 5" pieced strip, then a wider border. That pattern continues. There are 2 pieced strips, and then a border of all the same fabric - the design is just so choppy you think it is more piecing. It works.

I love the bright bright colors. it measures 63" x 86". It is hand pieced and machine quilted.

Bought to copy #1

I acquired this quilt with the intent of copying it.
The border especially. I like the way the use of only two colors works.

Again, this is a quilt that was used and loved. There is considerable wear in some areas. I added a sleeve so I could hang it to photograph it. As I stitched, I admired how fine the stitching is on this quilt. It is hand pieced and hand quilted with tiny stitches.

 

The quilt measures 64" x 81". The pieces are 1 1/2" square.

A dandy pair of potholders

Obviously, as one who is downsizing, I am not acquiring quilts with the gusto I once did. But there is still something I will continue to collect - my beloved face potholders. It is nice to have an excuse to stop at an antique shop. We travelled across Missouri yesterday on highway 36, a trip we've been making for years. A sign of the times is that several of the antique malls we used to visit are now shuttered.

Luckily, one that has long been chock full of quilts remains open in Macon - The Weathervane. We stopped to stretch and take a quick look and - lo and behold - I found this pair of face potholders. Aren't they wild? The embroidery is done onto a crocheted potholder. I was very pleased to find them.

I found one more, but was satisfied with just snapping a photo of it - the eyes are so wierd. Now I wonder, was that admirable restraint or a mistake?

Sparks Double Wedding Ring

There is a Huge flea market in our region in White Cloud, KS. But to get to White Cloud from my town you have to pass through Sparks which hosts another huge flea market on the same day. One year I didn't get any further - and that's where I found this quilt.

It's appeal to me was the vivid colors in the fabrics used. It is quite lively, thanks to the use of some bold colors: orange, black, white. It's in good shape except for the chin whisker wear on both ends - someone clung to it fiercely as they went to sleep.

It is hand pieced and hand quilted, measuring 64" x 81". The rings are large, measuring 19" from side to side....another one going in the pile for the sale next weekend.

Quilted with embroidery floss

I bought this quilt at an antique shop in Peabody, Kansas a few years back. I know it's raggedy and a fairly traditional pattern but I was fascinated with how it was quilted. I have not seen this before in an antique quilt.

It is quilted with embroidery floss (4 strands), using what we call today the big stitch. The quilting follows the fan shapes, then rows of stitching run from the top to the bottom of the quilt - all 1 1/4" apart. Rows of quilting also run on the diagonal so the stitching forms diamonds. It's all stitched with varying shades of blue floss.

The fan and bow are machine pieced and appliqued onto the 12" x 16" block with machine stitches. I'd date these fabrics to the 1940s..... The entire quilt measures 70" x 80". It's been well used and well washed.  I'll let this one go at the upcoming garage sale too, now extended to run 2 days - Sept 16 and 17 (weather permitting)....

Here's one more peek at some of the interesting fabrics....

 

Moving the quilt books

You are all probably smart enough or motivated enough to straighten up and organize your quilt books once in a while.
Not me! Oh no, i have to wait 18 years until I move to do that.
Which is what I did this week. And here you see the fruits of my labor.
I'm impressed! Why didn't I do this long ago? I found some wonderful books on my book shelf. And now they are organized. I have a lot of Kansas City Star books, so they are all together (and sorted by year published).
I have a lot of C&T books and they are all together - and alphabetized!
I have a plan to collect all the state project books, so they are together, as are my museum books. And all the rest are on the entire bottom shelve, alphabetized.  With room left over......
There is a substantial pile ready for the garage sale - some duplicates (!), some I know I won't use anymore.
I feel better. And you wonder how many there are, right? I counted 370...

A comfy quilt

As you look at this quilt, can't you make the argument that simple, rather unplanned or quilts of necessity are the best?

If all the blocks on this quilt were planned and the same, it would be a lot more boring. The design is simple and familiar - 9 patches (the squares are 1 1/2" -  1 3/4"), with varying sashing. It's the scrapbag of 1930s fabrics used that make it interesting - for the initial user and for us now.

This quilt measures 65" x 79". A blanket serves as batting. It is well loved and well used.

I remember I took it home with me  because I liked the colors. It will be for sale at the September garage sale.....