Thursday 16 June 2022

Lots of vintage quilts.

 The June meeting featured a talk by Carolyn Gibbs who talked about vintage British quilts.  She also brought lots of vintage quilts from her collection, and showed us frame quilts, mosaic quilts, whole cloth and strippies as well as Welsh, North Country and Scottish quilts.  


Here is Carolyn, with some of her patterns. 


Here is a dramatic red and white strippy.  The beautiful quilting doesn’t photograph well. 


This strippy is unusual as the fabrics aren’t plain coloured. 


This is the ultimate in mosaic patchwork, made entirely from silk ribbons! 


A different mosaic quilt. 

A log cabin quilt.  This design, while British, could have originated from Canada or the USA, it’s not certain. 


This mosaic quilt is sashed with Turkey Red, the first red dye to be run proof and fade proof. 


This frame quilt dates from about 1820.  I knew that Carolyn had a collection of old quilts and had brought one I have, to show her.  When this quilt was displayed I couldn’t contain myself, as it was so similar to mine!  We displayed the quilts together and you can see for yourself! 


My quilt, in a sorry state, is on the right.  Both are frame quilts with very similar designs, but mine is just a little younger.  Carolyn was able to date it to around 1830, as there are blue/green fabrics, which used a dyeing technique not known until 1830!  The quilt had been given to me by its previous owner, and I decided to gift it to Carolyn, as I knew she would appreciate it and be able to share it with lots of admiring people! 

And then there was the show and tell!  This is a block from a vintage quilt which took my fancy.  I thoroughly enjoyed choosing the colours for this one. It was my new technique challenge as I used the Vilene and glue method of preparing some of the applique shapes.  I usually just needleturn. 


This is Vicky’s new technique.  She used Quarter Inch Tape to help with the HSTs.  She said it was a good method. 


This is Gaynor’s attempt to reduce her scraps.  She was able to confirm, yet again, that they don’t ever reduce! 




This hasnt photographed well, but is a ruler quilting sampler.  It was made using quilt as you go, but the maker has vowed never to use that method again! (I’m with her!) 


Here is my purple quilt.  It’s made from purple and neutral 2.5” squares.  I make 16-patches and join them together to make it easier to handle. 


Here are some more challenge items made by Jan. 



This gorgeous quilt is a gift for a dog.  


Jacquie has been busy making this stunning sampler.  It’s her embroidered challenge. 


This is another machine quilted sampler.  Lovely fabric choices. 


Gaynor finished this UFO for Linus.  Thank you. 


Jacquie made this quilt, which looks very complicated! 
There were other show and tell items which I haven’t had chance to share.  Keep ticking off those challenge cards, as November will soon be here!