Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Old Quilts are the Best Quilts

 My favorite quilt in the Antique Quilt Exhibit at the Vermont Quilt Festival 2019.
 I literally can not imagine making 10 of those urn blocks and center and then doing all the borders to the same level of expertise.
I focused my attention and photos of the Floral Quilts as they are my favorite.   Here is some information about the Sharon and the exhibit.

Quilted Treasures of New York

Sharon Waddell, Curator
Miller North
Like many states New York is home to exceptional 19 th century quilts. What makes the Empire state different are several unique regional quilt patterns. Often popular for only a generation, these century patterns and styles appear in specific areas. Border patterns with trees, twisted ribbon, floral vines, and tasseled swags were common. Papercut patterns whose names have been lost to history immediately identify the quilt’s or maker’s New York origins even when found further west. This exhibit explores many of these 19 th century patterns and other unique characteristics that make New York quilts special. 
Sharon T. Waddell is an independent quilt researcher who has been collecting antique quilts for over fifteen years. A quilt maker since 1988 she is active in several guilds. Inspired by the patterns and styles of antique quilts she became a member of the American Quilt Study Group where she specializes in regional patterns of the mid-19 th century. She enjoys sharing her collection in hopes it will inspire others.


These quilts make my heart beat faster.  Enjoy
 I love the edge treatment on this rose wreath.
Love that limey green on this one.  What a unusual flower.
You had me at Bird and Berry :)
 I can not tell you how much I admire the level of commitment these quilt makers had.  Nothing was too much work.
 That feathered wreath quilting love at first sight.  Beautiful embroidery detail on the rose buds.
If only I could teach Nutmeg to quilt!
Here's a peek at a new project I'm working on.  Drafting is hard by the way.  It took a few tries to get the size and style.
I've made 5 so far with a plan to make 16.  I'll share the inspiration for this next week.
See you Next Week.  Hope you are having a Happy Summer.
xo

36 comments:

Rose Marie said...

Oh my, those quilts are AMAZING! Thank you for sharing for those of us who could never be able to attend.

Karen said...

Wow! Nothing fast about making those quilts. Treasures!

darlynn said...

Thank you for a great show! Love the birds and berries in the border on the limey green one as well

Lori said...

Those floral antiques are really over the top amazing!!
Ah, Nutmeg, what a cutie. Love those houses!!

Wendy Caton Reed said...

That was my favorite too! Thanks for getting such a great shot of it. Sharon wants me to reproduce the blue and white one, but honestly, I would rather do this one. If you do it in a smaller size are you in? Love those house blocks!! I'm guessing you don't leave your needle in your quilting , otherwise Nutmeg might not find it so inviting!

Mary said...

Beautiful quilts. I am with you that urn quilt is just breathtaking.

kdduncan said...

Love your little house blocks!

Kyle said...

Each one a work of art and a mastery of the needle. I can't imagine the amount of time it took to make any of these.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Truly unique quilts. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Randy D. said...

I'm not sure which is more beautiful: Nutmeg or the quilts!!! I love your pictures!
you even got one or two that I missed!
Can't wait to see the housing project. They look adorable especially with your beautiful flowers on your deck!
Have a great week!

Ruth said...

Awesome quilts and the colors are so bright. I love your house blocks - great colors.

OPQuilt said...

I enjoyed seeing these quilts through your eyes, but I also love them even though I don't do them. Those early quilters can teach us so much.
Love your houses--can't wait to see what you are cooking up!

Nana said...

I love to see those type quilts. You know the quilter is really dedicated to detail and put hours/years into a single quilt. They are definitely turning out 20 a year. Keepsake treasure for someone. Thanks for sharing. If you teach Nutmeg to quilt let us know.

Susan said...

No ADHD among those quilters, that's for sure! They worked away at a project for hours and hours to make these heirloom beauties! Thanks for sharing them all, they are wonderful!

Chantal said...

Wow! What a show of quilts! Thanks for sharing with us as I truly appreciated seeing these heirlooms. I can't even pick a favorite because i love them all. And Nutmeg wins the "Best in Show" ribbon. ;^)

Quilting Babcia said...

Wow, each of those quilts is simply spectacular! Thank you so much for sharing them with all of us!

Vicki said...

Thanks so much for sharing. Beautiful!

Janet O. said...

Jaw-dropping quilts, Barb! I wouldn't even be able to make 1 of those blocks, let alone 10!!
Great shots of Nutmeg. :)
I have always planned on making a quilt of house blocks, but it hasn't happened. I will be interested to see what you are creating.

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Wow, just wow. It's just amazing, the artistry, patience, beauty. Thanks for sharing these photos! I love that limey green one - bold unusual flowers.

Cheryl said...

Wowzer...what a spectacular collection of New York beauties. They are outstanding!
I'm looking forward to seeing what you're doing with the house blocks...they're very nice.
And lastly...Nutmeg....so cute....she steals the show every time.

Nann said...

What a beautiful garden of quilts! (And no weeds. ) Thanks for sharing, Barb.

Mego said...

Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing!

loraine everard said...

Great post, Barb! Loved these antique quilts, don't know how to choose a favourite! Nutmeg is a very sweet looking cat, I think you picked a good one!x

Karen in Breezy Point said...

So many beautiful quilts--I can't imagine doing all that work! Love your little houses and can't wait to see what you are planning for them.

Barbara said...

Thanks, Barb! Those applique quilts are truly spectacular! Such time and patience. Love your house blocks! And little Nutmeg is definitely your quilting buddy :)

Janet said...

Thank you for a post full of the most incredible, inspiring works of Art! I want to make quilts like these! I love your houses and look forward to seeing what they become.

Robin said...

That blue and white scalloped border was so intense. I wonder if the quilter had help making all those, and then the binding. . . I'm so glad these quilters shared their talent and time with the future.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I love them all!

Phyllis said...

Amazing workmanship in those quilts. And a lot of patience, I admire the makers. Thank you for sharing, these are very special quilts , I loved seeing them. Love your house blocks.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow. My heart is going pittypat too -- what beautiful quilts! I think we should have a long-term sew-along and make one of them. It's surprising how much you can do when you break it into manageable chunks. I vote we do A36 -- just in case you're taking votes. Second choice is Ms. Limey Green. Can't wait to see those cute houses all paired up!

QuiltGranma said...

Wow, just WOW! Beautiful quilts and a special blessing of a darling kitten! If we lived closer I just might want to borrow her for a few years, like... 15?

Angie said...

Thanks for sharing all the gorgeous quilts - they all make my heart go pitty-pat! I wish I had the time and talent to make my own versions of quilts inspired by those beauties!

Diane said...

The quilts are amazing. I'm often frustrated by the focus on 'fast and easy' in the quilt world today. I think these gorgeous works that took 'forever' are so worth it. I am jealous of your cute little quilt assistant. She seems very enthusiastic! (not to mention adorable!)And I've been really itching to make a house quilt so I was very impressed with your houses. Can't wait to see the whole neighborhood!

audrey said...

You had me at Bird and Berry too. Wowsers, so much good eye candy! I would have melted into a puddle of pure appreciation.:) I adore this style of quilts, but fear that I don't have quite enough 'stick-to-it-ness' to work through stitching so many repeats.

Holly said...

Hello! Amazing VQF quilts & good pics thanks. When I see antique quilts of that level, I wonder what was happening in their lives... Men gone off to war or gone to hold fields, perhaps to claim a homestead in the west. Whatever it was they had many spare hours to stitch. I LOVE your pineapple quilt. I'm half finished piecing one in black & solids. Not my usual, but fun. Your Nutmeg & my Mimi could be twins! Sweetest kitty. Thanks for all the great pics. I think the large red floral with birds is a Mexican sunflower or Mexican rose. I saw the pattern many years ago for just the block....
But I could be wrong.

Barb said...

Hi Holly, you don't have an email so I hope you'll see that I really appreciated your comment here. I often too wonder about these women's lives. I also think they made very few quilts, but each one very detailed. I'll have to look up Mexican Rose! have fun with Mimi, Nutmeg sure keeps us entertained.