Thursday, June 18, 2015

Something old, and something new

 Good evening!!  It is rare that I post after work...but here I am.  I am making a table runner for Christmas. Lots of different reds.  The melons are for hand applique.  I was planning a big quilt but I think I would succumb to old Father time before I finished!!
 I was recently gifted this quilt...a treasure.  It is absolutely huge!  At least 100x100. 
 My sister and I took it to quilt shop, and a quilt historian happened to be there.  She said it was from 1850-1880.  All the prints with black are quite shredded due the metals in the dyes, maybe?   The quilting is by hand, the finest I have ever seen. 
The quilting is at least 20 stitches to the inch.  Some shredding is present...and it is finished by turning the back to the front, less the 1/8 of of inch for the binding..  Fine cotton batting is showing through.  The back is homespun muslin.  The yellow is the same throughout the quilt, and at first reminded me of 1930's, but the historian said it was pre-civil war.  Hand piecing is evident, but so finely done, it is incredible!! Every point matches exactly...pretty darn fantastic for no electric lighting!

Any thoughts??  It is an oldie!!  The oldest I have, for sure...




Have a great day, everyone!!

Julie

25 comments:

Donna said...

Lovely quilt, love the bright yellow. Hard to imagine a dress of bright yellow in that time period. What a treasure!

Sherrill said...

WOW, definitely a cool quilt to have. Which shop did you take it to? So you've got the melons ready to applique on a quilt sandwich? Never heard of that before.

Janet O. said...

What a treasure! Thanks for sharing the details. Lucky you to own this beauty. Will you decorate with it?

Leeanne said...

Lovely old quilt! I like the table runner for Christmas too.

Tired Teacher said...

The vintage quilt is priceless! Glad the historian was in the shop and gave you some idea of its age. Do you know any of its history or who made it?

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

What a great quilt! A treasure, for sure! I like the table runner, too. Sometimes smaller, and done is the way to go.

Karen said...

I find the antique quilt very interesting. I like the yellow setting fabric that was used. Definitely a treasure. I probably would store it in a white cotton pillow case and get it out every so often to refold or re-roll it.

Lori said...

Very wonderful quilt! It seems unusual to find one that yellow. I love it.
I adore the red and white peel too! Always a winner.

Needled Mom said...

That is a beautiful treasure. What a shame it is that parts of it are shredded.

The red peels are so pretty too.

Vic in NH said...

Thank you for showing the museum piece quilt! Also, thank you for the inspiration on the orange peels idea. I just recently acquired the 5" orange peel template from Missouri Star but I haven't used it yet.

Diane said...

My thoughts are that you are a very lucky girl indeed! That quilt is a treasure, thanks for sharing it. Your table runner is going to be stunning. :)

Donna Keating said...

A great gift to recieve. Such a beauty. Your table runner is in the best colors...red and white.

Donna Keating said...

A great gift to recieve. Such a beauty. Your table runner is in the best colors...red and white.

Donna Keating said...

A great gift to recieve. Such a beauty. Your table runner is in the best colors...red and white.

Flickenstichlerin said...

Oh Julie,
what a wonderful quilt to have as a gift. Glad you are the happy one. Congratulations.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Flickenstichlerin said...

Oh Julie,
what a wonderful quilt to have as a gift. Glad you are the happy one. Congratulations.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Kyle said...

What a treasure. The yellow looks like the California gold type of print. Check out Barbara Brackman's website. It might give you a few clues.

Janet said...

What a lovely old quilt! I've only seen handquilting that fine once and it is a marvel to behold. Prior to that I always thought they must be exaggerating at the # per inch. Have fun with your peels :0)

Linda O said...

What a beautiful treasure you are the lucky recipient of!! Tiny, tiny quilting stitches! And without all the modern conveniences of today - amazing! Love the R&W runner too!!

belarmina said...

una maravillosa joya!!!
felicidades por tenerlo
saludos

Binsa said...

Hi juliewhat a fantastic find when we wherein the states weren't. To the DAR museum and I saw how they repaired shredded pieces on quilts they used a very fine net the colour of the piece and carefully stitched over the shredded pieces at a distance you would not know and it kept the fabric pieces together hugs lyn ps a parcel on the way for you

Binsa said...

Hi juliewhat a fantastic find when we wherein the states weren't. To the DAR museum and I saw how they repaired shredded pieces on quilts they used a very fine net the colour of the piece and carefully stitched over the shredded pieces at a distance you would not know and it kept the fabric pieces together hugs lyn ps a parcel on the way for you

Pine Valley Quilts said...

Hi Julie

Love your table Runner, but the old quilt is amazing. What a treasure! I agree pretty dam good for the fact they did not have the tools and gadgets we have now.

Quilter Kathy said...

Gorgeous antique quilt... is it hand pieced? The workwomanship is wonderful!

MARCIE said...

Amazing old quilt Julie. The chrome yellow is awesome. The stories it could tell-right? You can maybe fold the shredded parts in and display it. Do we ever have enough room to display all the stuff we love?

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...