Two new Postage Stamp quilts have recently been added to my collection.
Pretty Nine Patch Crib quilt
Steps in the Flower Garden
Postage Stamp Quilts are quilts made with very small scraps of fabric. One inch squares are common but sometimes the quilter cut her squares even smaller. At this time in quilting the seam allowance was smaller than the standard quarter inch seam that we use today. The designs vary from a one patch layout to more elaborate settings. Solid fabrics in complimentary colours were often used to set off myriad pieces selected from the scrap bag. The tiny squares may have been cut from worn clothing, household linens and the scraps left over from other quilt making projects. Postage Stamp quilts offer a wonderful opportunity for fabric study and sometimes older fabrics from other eras can be identified.
Pretty Little Crib Quilt
With its hot pink border this pretty little crib quilt remains bright, clean and colourful. The solid pink and white fabrics are in excellent condition. However, some of the squares were completely worn away. 
The quilt is beautifully quilted in half inch cross hatching.
To repair the worn squares I cut a square of paper to size and tacked fabric onto the paper square, as you would for paper piecing. I pressed the patch well and removed the tacking and the paper. The patch was applied to the damaged area and neatly stitched into place. I then quilted over the newly patched area.
Patch ready to be stitched into place
Repaired square
This dear little quilt measures 42 x 52 inches with the nine patch blocks measuring 3 inches square. It appears to have been made in the 1930s and may well have been used by many babies. I am sure it was much used and loved.
Steps In The Flower Garden circa 1930s.
This vibrant and colourful quilt had not been washed or used when I received it. The quilt had a rather bad stain (possibly from storage) on the back and about 10 squares had disintegrated. These appeared to be the same fugitive brown fabric
Fugitive fabrics
Using the same method as for the Crib quilt, I repaired this wonderful example of a Postage Stamp Quilt.
Detail of repaired area.
I soaked the quilt in Retro Wash for a day with a colour catcher added in case of colour run. After a good old soak it was into the washing machine and onto the line for some fresh air and sunshine.
A lovely bath!
This quilt has a very light wool batting. The quilting is simple diagonal and horizontal line quilting. The quilt is large, measuring 76 x 88 inches.
I am very happy to report that the quilt washed extremely well. The quilt is fresh and clean with the stain removed.
Stain prior to washing.
Lovely clean backing.
I love this quilt with the vibrant black and orange solid fabrics unifying the many patterns and colours of the scrap pieces used by its maker.
Detail of quilt.
I hope my Stitches in Time will save these quilts for many more years and they can be studied and enjoyed by all those who see them.
Thank you for visiting, Janette The Plain Needlewoman.
