Kansas Troubles

I thought I better show you that I'm really doing Brackman's Civil War quilt along. Here's #5, Kansas Troubles.



And #3 Seven Sisters. Thankfully we had an applique block to give me a chance to keep up.

I'll try to get the others posted yet this week. Some of them are undergoing reconstructive surgery. ;)

Have a great week!

Mary Hill's Album Quilt

Mary Hill's Album Quilt, AKA the Maltaville Album Quilt was made in 1847 by the women members of the Presbyterian Church in Maltaville, NY, for the pastor's wife. It consists of 60 blocks and a center medallion, and measures 92" x 91". As is typical of album quilts, it contains inked names, dates and inscriptions, as well as being embellished with embroidery. The Smithsonian Institution acquired the quilt in 1931.

The center block is inscribed "presented to Mary B. Hill as an expression of esteem by the Ladies of Maltaville."

You can see more pictures on the NMAH website.

One of the blocks, made by Almira Olmstead, contains the following poem:

The Tulip and the Butterfly

Appear in gayer coats than I

Let me be dressed fine as I will

Flies, worms, and flowers, exceed me still.

This was taken from the poem "Against Pride in Clothes," by Isaac Watts. Watts is considered one England's greatest hymn writers, and excerpts of his work are found on several quilts of this period. His most famous hymn is "Joy to the World."

Legal stuff :)
All pictures used with permission for non-commercial use only.

Made by Ladies of the Presbyterian Church

Gift of Mrs. Isaac Carrington Morton

Object ID: TE*TO06717

Smithsonian Natural Museum of American History

Kenneth E. Behring Center

Margaret of Quilt Station is drafting these blocks, and she has generously offered to share them with us for a nominal fee. She is hoping to have mid-February as a starting date, and will be donating a portion of the purchase price to the Smithsonian for quilt restoration and conservation. You can read all about her quilt-along on her blog. She has also started a blog just for those making the quilt, here. She is using the back-basting method for some of the blocks. I haven't tried this, since I'm a die-hard needle-turner, but I may finally give it a go for this quilt.

Just when I get caught up with Barbara Brackman's BOW, she posts another block! I will post my blocks after I get #4 done. I'm not quite as fast with the piecing as I am with the applique these days. Check out my friend Sheila's blog. She is doing these in 2" finished blocks!

While a lot of you have been talking about de-stashing, I've been doing some re-stashing! I got some Jo Morton at Bonnie Blue's going-out-of-fabric sale. Everything is $5/yd., but you'll have to hurry. Last day to order is Jan. 25th.

And some Ann Robinson and Sara Johnson.

If anyone knows of a store that has any of this Dargate Lavender and Mint left, please let me know. It's one of my all time favorite fabrics, and I haven't had any luck finding more.

Am I the only one concerned about Bonnie Blue and Old Trinity Schoolhouse no longer selling fabric? These were two of my favorite sites for repros. Trinity had tons of the older lines. On the other hand, Z & S is expanding to sell other things.

Well, back to those Civil War blocks.

Special Collections: American Quilts Timed Auction, Starts January 7th, 2011 - Cowan's Auctions

Special Collections: American Quilts Timed Auction, Starts January 7th, 2011 - Cowan's Auctions

Ohio Signature Quilt

Cox Comb

Polka Dot Rose Wreath






Just a quick note to let you know about this upcoming online-only auction of 100 Quilts and Coverlets. Check out the catalog! All images property of Cowan's Auctions.

Whig's Defeat

Can we ever get enough Red and Green?? I know a lot, if not most of you, are like me, and the answer is NO. I'm constantly trolling eBay and other sites looking for pictures of quilts for my files, and one I found today is too good not to share.

I admit that Whig's Defeat is one of my favorites, but even so, this quilt, listed by seller denverantiques, is just stunning. Check out the auction here for more pictures. I love the touch of double pink, and the clamshell quilting. This is going on my "to-do" list, and not at the bottom either.

Did you know Barbara Brackman has a new blog on Civil War Quilts? Every week she will post a free pattern for an 8" block, as well as stories of people that lived during the war, and links for further reading. What a great project! My record with BOW's is not good, but I'll have to try harder. This is the first week's block, Catch Me if You Can. There's still time to start and not be behind yet! She is also posting pictures of people's progress as we go.

If you remember, I posted a picture of a quilt called Travels in Time in an earlier post. The quilt used the Sophia Pearce "tablecloth" fabric. Linda from Quilt Crossings contacted me to tell me that she has some of the fabric in both colorways, as well as some of the Bouquet fabric which is so great for Broderie Perse. You can order it here. This is a must if you are making the Morrell quilt, as it's what Di Ford used for the Broderie in it.



While you're there, be sure and check out her great kits and patterns. I don't know if you know this, but I'm partial to cats. :) I picked up this great pincushion pattern there.

She also has some wonderful kits from a designer I'd never heard of, Woolylady. I love them all. Thank to Donna from The Cat's Meow Two for putting me in contact with Linda.

In the previous post I had an incorrect link to Jeanneke's Little Grace Quilt tutorial. I've fixed it, or you can click here. You'll have to scroll down a bit. Have a great week, and maybe next post I'll actually have something I've sewn to show you.

Stars and Grace

I haven't had time to do much sewing this month, so I will have to rely on other people's efforts for my post this week. The American Quilt Study Group has a biennial Quilt Study project in which participants must make a quilt copied from or inspired by an antique quilt. The theme for 2010 was 19th Century Stars. The thirty-nine entries were exhibited at the AQSG Seminar in Minnesota this year. Here is Sharon Pinka's entry, Stars Over Maine.





Twenty-five quilts were chosen for a traveling exhibit. You can see the schedule here. Pictures of all thirty-nine entries are now online at the AQSG site. They will also be included in a book, with patterns for 10 of the quilts. They are all so wonderful, it's hard to pick a favorite.

Jeanneke has a pattern and tutorial for a wonderful doll quilt she calls Little Grace, because it is made with Aunt Grace fabrics from different lines.

I just love this little quilt. After a trip to London and France a few years ago, I bought some of the Aunt Grace Friends Around the World to commemorate the trip, but haven't gotten around to making a quilt yet, so this might be perfect for it.

Well, my busy season is almost over, and I look forward to getting back to sewing soon. And getting caught up with my email. And maybe getting in a little house cleaning if time permits. :)


I bought a Christmas collar for the boys, who had to take turns wearing it for their photos. After chasing the little darlings around the house, I managed to get pics of each of them in their finery. So from me,

Rufus,

Brody,

and Little Teague,




Merry Christmas from our house to yours!