06.24.08
Posted in Quilts at 1:05 am by Administrator
A certain lecturer who talks about quilts tells me that she would not be without a Crazy Quilt and a Basket Quilt. That has me thinking. Why did she say “Basket Quilts?” Is it because they look elegant, set on point? Is there something quintessentially “country,” or American, that is represented by those kinds of quilts? We all like the expression, “Don’t put your eggs all in one basket?” Do we also like the various ways that Basket Quilts can be assembled?
In teaching, we can use the design to demonstrate appliquéd “handles,” and pieced bases. We can make the baskets with triangles or we can interweave bias strips for more of a Baltimore Album look. They can be as colorful as we’d like. We can add no handles at all. We can “fill” the basket, with a large flower, or leave it completely empty.
Of the many types of quilts available to represent America’s best efforts at quilting, my friend chose a “Basket Quilt.” I don’t own one, old or new. Perhaps, I should get busy and make one. How about you? I might even be sneaky and make a miniature basket quilt. Would that count? Only time will tell which I’ll decide to make. If you put together a new basket quilt, or have an “old” one that you’ve photographed, we’d love to see a photo.
Until next time,
Patricia Cummings, pat at quiltersmuse.com
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05.01.08
Posted in Antiques, Quilts at 10:53 am by Administrator
The “Prince’s Feather,” sometimes called “Princess Feather” appliqué design has captured quilters’ imaginations for quite a long time. Recently, I had reason to find out more about its history. After exploring book after book in my personal library, I happened across the research paper, “The Princess Feather: Exploring a Quilt Design” by Carol Williams Gebel in Uncoverings 2007, a publication of the American Quilt Study Group. I was happy to find an extensive article that answered all my questions, and more!
Coincidentally, I found this beautiful example in an eBay auction:
1860s “Princess Feather,” 86″ x 86″, eBay auction 360006141983.
Quilts of this type are often set in a four block format. The colors of this particular quilt strike me as unusual. The only antique quilt I have seen in this style was rendered in red on a white background … and was so decrepit, I left it in the antiques store.
A certain amount of skill in appliqué is needed to work any variation of this design. The radial extensions or “plumes” are representative of the hat of the Prince of Wales. If you are at all interested, I’d suggest that you read the thorough treatment of the topic in Uncoverings. Only two of the hundreds of quilts studied by the author had a yellow background.
To make your own, smaller version of a Princess Feather design, download the free instructions offered by Windham Fabrics, with Debby Kratovil’s design, and Gerald Roy’s beautiful line of “Regency Dandy” Fabrics.
Do something fun today!
Patricia Cummings
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04.20.08
Posted in Quilts at 5:14 pm by Administrator
When I first saw this quilt on eBay, I thought how unusual it is! As you can see, the quilt is composed of hexagon shapes. That took some planning! The size is 60″ x 74″ - much larger than it seems in the photo here, and almost a twin size. This quilt is currently for sale on eBay - #300176405551 - by “french72.” The reason for mentioning it is that this is the third mosaic quilt we have featured here, within just a short time. It’s odd not to see any, and then boom, three in a row, so to speak.
Hope you are having a lovely day today. If you’d like to see some beautiful covered bridges in New Hampshire, they are as far away as a click onto our website: http://www.quiltersmuse.com/covered_bridges_nh.htm
Patricia
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