Season's Greetings!

Happy Chanukah!!!

Merry Christmas!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Part 3: December 2016 LV Quilt Study Meeting

Well here are the final photos from last week's meeting!  Barb G. brought some quilt ephemera that we all enjoyed looking at!

 Somethings from the 50s/60s

 Other patterns that were much older!

 A variety of patterns for feedsacks--or as Barb explained--Cotton Bags, the original name.

 A truly polyester piece!!!

 Postage stamp from the 70s--Barb had pieced this together!

 And a delightful basket quilt with a variety of prints to examine!

 Nine patch or white cross:

 Cyndy brought in a signature quilt from the 19th century.  I have to apologize, my photo was so blurry that I can't post it.  All I have left are these close-ups.  This is a fascinating piece.  It not only has signatures, it is inscribed:  "Made by the Ladies of the Presbyterian Society of Portland Pennsylvania  March 1880"

 Close up of a signature:

 This is what I brought in to share.  It is a kit quilt from the 1950s

and a sweet grandmother's flower garden from the 1960s:

I won't be posting for the rest of the holiday.  I wish each of you a happy and safe holiday.  Happy Holidays!!!

Part 2: December 2016 LV Quilt Study Group Meeting

Well it's another frigid day in the Lehigh Valley but we have some great quilt photos to look at to keep us warmed and happy.

Lisa brought some beauties for us to study!!

 This might be a variation of Brackman 3807, "Dutch Star" (among other names).  The regular verstion has a Lemoyne Star in the center.

Another great quilt from Lisa:

 Barb G. likened this to a feathered star:

The other piece that we ooohed and ahhhed over was Lisa's rail fence:

 The piece had neat fabrics but appeared to have different kinds of embroidery on it (I think some was done in yarn if memory serves correctly):

 The backing reveals that it must have been completed at a later date.  That calico brings back some memories of the late 20th century!

 We began to talk about Rail Fence variations and Kathie brought this piece in that she had in her car.  What a great pattern!

 Lelane brought this baske quilt in.  It has a "Dutchy" feel to it but the scale is wonderful.  The baskets are not very large (see hand at top left).

 The backing of the quilt is what we now refer to as  "Neon" print.  I know there are many names for this print including "fancy black prints" and usually date the quilt after the 1890s when sulphur black dye was introduced.

Tomorrow will conclude the photographs of the meeting.  

Stay warm!

Part 1: December 2016 LV Quilt Study Group Meeting

We had a good turn-out this past week at the Lehigh Valley Quilt Study Group! Many people were ready to take a break from holiday preparations and play with quilts!  We decided a few quilts in, that this month theme must be "textile mysteries".

Carolyn brought this quilt for us to study.  It is from Texas and we were all wondering about the pattern.  I can't find it in Barbara Brackman's Blockbase either but it might be referred to as a variation of Brackman # 3570, unfortunately it is called "Unknown".

The fabrics appear to date it around the turn of the 20th century: 

Sue brought in a neat pillow top.  The coloring of the background had us all intrigued, it was a bit unusual and doesn't appear to well in the photographs.  It seemed to be printed (the back didn't have colored threads) but the welft and warp were blue and black and interesting.  

She also brought in this neat piece.  We debated whether or not it had batting.  I don't know if there is a name for this technique--quilting in a color and giving the effect of embroidery:

Barb also talked about the upcoming Mennonite Relief Sale (will post about that in a few days) and Alice had brought in a piece that she had purchased there and completed.  It is now a wall hanging in her home.  Good save Alice!

Sally brought in this wonderful piece.  It is just lovely and we all admired the monkey wrench/churn dash:

 This photo doesn't do justice to the piece.  It was a very dark day and some of the photographs just don't capture the quilts well.

Jayne brought in this fantastic snowball quilt. 

 I think we would all like some of this red and black fabric!!!

The two prints really compliment each other and are somehow enhanced by the yellow border.

Jayne also brought in this dated redwork towel.  Check out the animal (cat or dog?) in the middle of the date:

Last meeting, Carolyn brought in a cotton boll for us to see.  This month, Lorraine brought us a cotton boll made into a Christmas ornament.  What a great idea!

Look for more photos tomorrow in part 2 of our meeting posts!  

Have a wonderful day

McKim Monday: Toy Shop Window Quilt

Happy December!  This is the last installment of McKim Monday and I must say, I have enjoyed sharing parts of my collection on the blog.  In 2017, I'll be offering a new program entitled "Designs Still Worth Doing:  A Celebration of Ruby Short McKim".

The Toy Shop Window Quilt seems perfect as we prepare for the holidays.  The pattern was originally offered in the early 1930s.  My friend Martha has the pattern on her website here if you are interested in making one for yourself.  Like Martha, I would be inclined to do this quilt with embroidery rather than applique because--depending on your applique skills--the pattern can be a bit tricky.

Here is an example of an appliqued quilt that I have in my collection:

 I'm sorry but the weather has been very overcast and I'm having a problem getting good photographs.  I also want to point out that not all the blocks on the quilt are from the Toy Shop Window Quilt.  Some blocks are from the Happy Childhood Quilt (you can see it here) and of course, there is even an Overall Sam/Bill on the quilt (bottom row).

 I am sure the child who received it really appreciated it; the quilt is VERY loved and worn in some places. 

 The doll (below) is apparently a bit of a challenge, I've never seen her done really well.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of quilts throughout the last year.  I'm ready to finish up writing the program and hope to get it out to blogs soon!  

Have fun preparing for the holidays!