Seventy-Two Lost Ship Blocks are set diagonally with a red and black print to create this stunning quilt. The blocks are pieced using a different fabric design in each block. These fabrics are complimented with a lovely cream and brown design.
The quilt contains a block where the maker found herself short of one print and pieced a section of the ship with a different but similar colour.
The fabrics used consist of florals, plaids, geometric designs and a few very unusual patterns. The maker had a good supply of scraps as well as the red and cream. The quilt displays 75 print fabrics. The scrap pieces may well have been dressmaking fabrics but obviously the red and cream was purchased for quilt making.
The piecework and quilting is very well executed. I presume this quilt was made by a talented and experienced needlewoman. The quilt is finished with the quilt front neatly rolled over to the back to create the binding. It is stitched in place with tiny, neat stitches. The backing is a plain homespun. The quilt appears to have never been washed.
The quilt measures 66 inches by 84 inches and the block measures just under 5 inches.
In Ruth E. Finley’s book ‘Old Patchwork Quilts and The Women Who Made Them’ published in 1929, Finley refers to this pattern “A pattern that was popular below the Mason and Dixon Line was called Rocky Glen though in the fishing villages of the Seaboard, where it was frequently employed, it was known as The Lost Ship.” So this is the name I shall use for this wonderful quilt which I am very happy to have to add to my collection.
Thank you for visiting and best wishes for your quilting endeavours, very warmly, Janette
The Plain Needlewoman.
The Plain Needlewoman 
Beautiful quilt, but check your date… Robe, Garibaldi, and mourning prints are all very easy to date at c. 1890. You must date from the newest fabrics in a quilt….
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Hi Susie,
Thank you for your comment. I had thought the date on this may be later but the dealer (who is reputable) thought 1860. I had checked for fabrics in Eileen Trestain’s Book and could see there were similar ones. Thanks for your help I will adjust my records. I am always interested in learning. Janette
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Truly beautiful! The hand quilting runs with the on point blocks and is two close together lines with a single wider one between, right? Never seen a quilting design like this .
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Hi Deb, thank you. Glad you noticed the quilting. It is plain but effective. Kindly Janette
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Lovely quilt Janette, the colours are really vivid, do you think it has been used at all?
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Hi Ann, Thank you. Yes the colours are as bright as the day it was stitched. The quilt hasn’t been washed but it may have been a quilt kept for best and just placed on the bed for visitors to see. Thanks for your interest, kindly Janette
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Love the red fabric. It is a very beautiful quilt. I am always looking for old quilts at thrift stores and when I find one I always buy it. I have a couple top pieces that have not been completed and the fabric looks like it may be from the 30’s or 50’s. How do you go about dating old fabric? Is there a book or website you could recommend? I am always curious as to when some of my old quilts may have been made. I love doing the research on old fabric but have not been very successful. I find you blog fascinating. Thanks for posting such interesting articles and photos of your old quilts.
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Hi Janet, Thank you for your interest. You are very lucky to be able to find quilts at thrift shops. That is very rare in Australia.
One of the best books for dating fabrics is ‘Dating Fabrics – A Colour Guide 1800-1960’ by Eileen Jahnke Trestain. I think it is out of print but I have seen it for sale on EBay. So I don’t think you will have any difficulty obtaining a copy. I am happy to know you enjoy reading my Posts. Kind regards Janette
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Another beautiful quilt Janette and it looks as though it’s in mint condition.
I enjoy your posts, and your passion for antique quilts.
How do you store or display them?
Keep up the good work Sally.
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Hi Sally, Thank you – I store the quilts in two wardrobes. I also have them on display as I like looking at them. I rotate them and pay attention to their condition and safe keeping. The really old ones are refolded with acid free paper and some are kept in cloth bags. I never leave them folded for too long. As I have to prepare them for talks they get an airing and I always supply white cotton gloves for viewing. The Lost Ships quilt is in very good condition. I don’t think it has every been washed. Kind regards Janette
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