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The Plain Needlewoman

~ Quilt Study, Sewing, Vintage Textiles, Collecting quilts and other old odds and ends.

The  Plain Needlewoman

Monthly Archives: November 2014

Fabric Study in Old Quilts

19 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by mcinnesjanette in hand quilting, old fabrics, old sewing books, vintage quilts

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

1850s-1870s quilts, Antique Quilts, Fabric Study, hand quilting, old sewing books, The Donnellys, vintage quilts

Four Poster Bed Quilt

Four Poster Bed Quilt

Straight Furrow - Log Cabin Quilt

Straight Furrow – Log Cabin Quilt

These two quilts came into my collection from ‘The Donnellys’.

They purchased the Four Poster Bed quilt in 1997 in Groton, Massachusetts, USA from The Quilt Loft. This was owned by Diane Reese who has a Master’s Degree in Antique American Textiles from Boston University.

The quilt is dated circa 1876, which is substantiated by the fabrics used as they are very distinctive. A lovely fine red and white stripe fabric was used for the sashing, borders and binding. The quilt is backed with a coffee coloured linen type fabric that was possibly a homespun fabric. It is beautifully pieced and features well executed hand quilting. The red and white stripe fabric sets off the nine patch blocks beautifully and lends the quilt a timeless quality.

Detail of the nine patch blocks and sashing

Detail of the nine patch blocks and sashing

Fabric detail to study

Fabric detail to study

There is no other information available regarding this quilt but Bernie and Eileen did see George Washington’s bed at Mt.Vernon in Virginia, it was a four poster and they were surprised that it was so short.

Quilt Collectors - Eileen and Bernie Donnelly

Quilt Collectors – Eileen and Bernie Donnelly

The Log Cabin quilt was passed on to me by Eileen and Bernie as they thought I might have the time and patience to repair this very old but still beautiful quilt. It contains a stunning collection of fabrics including many shirtings. It is very faded and has worn to shreds in some sections.

Log Cabin block detail

Log Cabin block detail

Log Cabin Construction Method

Log Cabin Construction Method

Primarily Patchwork published in 1975 includes detailed construction method of foundation piecing log cabin quilts

Primarily Patchwork published in 1975 includes a detailed construction method of foundation piecing log cabin quilts.

However, the worn areas allow for studying the method of construction. The strips have been foundation pieced onto squares of patterned and plain fabrics. The squares were then stitched together and backed with a plain homespun. There is minimal hand quilting, also with a linen or coarse cotton thread. The Donnelly’s believe this quilt to be circa 1850s to 1860s. The process of repairing this quilt is ongoing. I am re-stitching the strips back onto their foundation block and in some instances the fabrics have frayed away completely. I trim these off to reveal the foundation fabric underneath which is quite fascinating to discover. Although the Log Cabin quilt is very fragile now, its beauty will be enjoyed for another generation and provide a unique study of the old fabrics.

Still beautiful Still beautiful

Happy Quilting, Janette

More on Mrs. Lewis’s Quilts.

14 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by mcinnesjanette in Welsh quilts

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Tags

hand quilting, old quilts, Welsh quilts

Beautiful Quilting on Wholecloth Welsh quilt

Beautiful Quilting on Wholecloth Welsh quilt

Pretty floral fabric in this whole cloth quilt

Pretty floral fabric in this whole cloth quilt

Wholecloth Miner's Quilt- hand quilting detail

Wholecloth Miner’s Quilt- hand quilting detail


As these quilts are so special and feature wonderful hand quilting, I thought I would publish them once again in the larger format. I hope you can enjoy them and be inspired by the workmanship involved. They certainly are beautiful examples of the Welsh Style of quilting.

Mrs. Lewis’s Welsh Quilts

13 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by mcinnesjanette in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Wholecloth Miner's Quilt

Wholecloth Miner’s Quilt

Beautiful Quilting on Wholecloth Welsh quilt

Beautiful Quilting on Wholecloth Welsh quilt

Pretty floral fabric in this whole cloth quilt

Pretty floral fabric in this whole cloth quilt

In 1990, The Quilters Guild of Britain launched the British Quilt Heritage Project. The aim of this project was to document the quilts made in Great Britain prior to 1960.

Through news items in local papers and networking through quilt shops and guilds word was passed around for families to search their attics or airing cupboards for old family quilts.

Mrs. Megan Lewis of Old Colwyn, North Wales saw mention of the “Call for Quilts” and took her Miner’s Quilts to be photographed for the local paper.

These quilts were handed down to Mrs. Lewis by two Great Aunts who lived in South Wales.

In a letter sent to me by Mrs. Lewis she states that she took the quilts to Chester for an exhibition.
‘They hadn’t seen this kind of quilting before: they were impressed’ wrote Mrs. Lewis. ‘The miners wives used to make these quilts, they’d probably met in each others homes. They used old worn blankets or in the Spring they’d comb the hedges for wool that the sheep had left.

They were a lighter quilt – they used to make templates of horse chestnut leaves, swirls, most intricate designs in small running stitches through three layers of material. Usually two layers of glazed cotton, and a layer of thin wool.

Gwynne’s (Mr. Lewis) mother who is 98 used to make them, but she said mine wore out. Bringing up a family four men. When the quilts began to wear, she put them under the mattress.’

I am presuming the exhibition Megan mentions was the Quilt Documentation Day held in Chester. The Quilt Documentation Project opened in Chester in 1990 where 173 quilts were documented. However, there is no known record of the documentation.

Quilt Treasures The Quilters' Guild Heritage  Search

Quilt Treasures
The Quilters’ Guild Heritage Search

Documentation Days Map

Documentation Days Map

These beautiful Welsh Miner’s Quilts still reside in Colwyn Bay, North Wales with Megan’s daughter Rhiannon and will be passed on to her grand daughter Emma. The quilts represent a much valued link to their women ancestors and Welsh Heritage.

Hope you enjoy the quilts and their stories. Happy Stitching, Janette

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Recent Posts

  • (no title)
  • Cathedral Window Quilt circa 1930s
  • Marjie”s Star Quilt
  • Australian Crazy Quilt
  • Clarence Valley Coverlet No. 2

Recent Comments

mcinnesjanette on Marjie”s Star Quilt
Lowana Radel on Marjie”s Star Quilt
Jill on My Wagga Quilt
mcinnesjanette on My Wagga Quilt
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Categories

  • 19th century Madder Fabrics
  • antique fabric
  • antique quilts
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  • Crazy Quilts
  • Cumbria
  • d'oyleys
  • Doll Quilts
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