Sunday, June 30, 2013

Red and green antique quilt

Thanks to everyone that commented and congratulated me on my quilt "Rings and Roses" doing so well in the Sydney show. I had trouble with some emails bouncing when I tried to reply so if you didn't hear from me, thank you so very much once again. Other prize winners can be seen on the guild site here. Click on the top tabs to see the winners in each category. I picked up another ribbon for 2nd in viewers choice, it can't get better!
Now that I'm getting back into routine again, I thought I'd show you my very first antique quilt purchase. Of course it had to be a red and green and what a beauty.
I thought you'd like to see some close up photos of the quilting. I just adore feathers.
You can see that the green has faded with light over time. I have an AQS certified valuation which estimates the date of the quilt to be 1860. The maker is unknown and it most likely came from Pennsylvania. 
There are no holes or tears in the quilt but it does have some stains and general yellowed out areas mostly on the borders. I exagerated a stained area by editing the photo, it doesn't look as bad as this but it does show that maybe it needs a clean.
One interesting feature is how the serpentine feather quilting at the corners were handled. No need to worry about how to turn the corner, just stop and start at the seams. You gotta love that!
If you clicked on this photo, you may see that there are still sharp pencil marks still visible which indicates that quilt hasn't been washed and that is on the appraisal form.
Not all points are sharp but it doesn't detract one bit from the effect the feathered star blocks gives.
The stitching in the hand piecing is very close together and check out that puckering. So that's what they mean when they say that you can quilt it out. The quilting is very expertly done.
I need some expert advice about whether the quilt should be washed, if you have any thoughts, please let me know what you advise.
Last week I picked up this beauty from Bernina, the sponsors of best of show. It's unpacked and ready to go.  It's the new 750QE with the new hook system.
 
I also wanted to share this stunning crystal trophy with you, the Narelle Grieve award for excellence in hand quilting.  I'm very proud of this because I had to teach myself to hand quilt.
Here I am with some of my sewing friends at the presentation for the Bernina sewing machine this week held at Pegs Pieces.. I'm the one in the middle. Unfortunately there are two missing from the photo. We meet every Tuesday evening to stitch and they are some of the nicest people you could meet.
 
 
Until next time, Janet

47 comments:

Oops-Lah said...

Congratulations on winning the new Bernina. I'm curious to know how you like it compared to the 820. And what a wonderful purchase of that antique quilt. I'm always baffled how they used to make these beauties without the help of our modern gadgets. Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Lurline said...

Lovely to see and hear from you again, Janet! Love your antique quilt.
Hugs - Lurline.

Susan said...

Congratulations again Janet! What an achievement, especially as you are self-taught! There is hope for us 'plebs' yet! Fabulous trophy too! And I love the antique quilt- it is a very special treasure!

Julia said...

Congratulations again Janet, I've always loved your quilt from when I first saw it.
Love your antique quilt too!
Julia ♥

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your new machine :)

And your antique quilt is beautiful. I found it really interesting to learn about it.

Susan said...

Your new quilt is a beautiful treasure. How amazing to think of someone making your quilt so long ago. Enjoy your prize and your success.

Featheronawire Sally Bramald said...

Lovely quilt, do NOT wash it. Let it be, those marks are part of it's history like wrinkles on our face. Cleaning/washing can only do it harm. Sit down, have a cuppa and resist the urge.

Dorothy said...

Have a look at timquilts.com About 2months ago he had a post on washing old blocks ( Solomon Temple blocks post ) not even a quilt and how he always does it and pictures of the results. As he does this all the time. I think he can answer all your questions about washing your quilt.
Your old quilt is beautiful as is your new sewing machine.

antique quilter said...

LOve your antique quilt, the hand quilting is amazing, isn't it amazing at how much we fret over these things and yet the quilts we love and admire just made it work. why can't we do that to????
congrats again on the Crystal Trophy I know how much this means to you.
I know you can tell how happy your friends in person and far away are so happy for you!
Kathie

Liz said...

Congrats again Janet, I have the 750 too and I love it..
Lizzie
xxx

Heather said...

What a nice prize. And the trophy is exciting. Wonderful reminders of such an exciting time and of course that new sewing machine is the gift that will keep on giving.

Rachaeldaisy said...

Your antique quilt is a beauty!! Wonderful feather stars and fabulous quilting!! I even like the stains, silly I know but they add character. Congratulations again. It's fun to see your prizes and trophies. You'll have fun with that new super sewing machine!! Lovely to see you and your sewing friends !!

graziella pattaro said...

stupendo lavoro meraviglioso complimenti

gracie said...

Congratulations!

Laurie said...

Congratulations Janet! Enjoy your new machine.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

so nice to win such a nice machine! congrats again.

Kathleen C said...

Congratulations! Your hand quilting is amazing. I'm glad to hear that there were other hand quilted quilts in the Sidney show. I read your post at the Celebrate Hand Quilting site. You do lovely work.

Missy Shay said...

I was looking at your guilt on "Celebrate Hand Quilting" It is absolutely gorgeous! I love the way you did the color fading in the rings with your prints!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Stunning quilt. Washing is scary. I am not an expert but I would certainly seek one -- such an an appraiser. Red is a scary color and once I soaked a quilt top from the 30s and all of the color bled out of a few of the fabrics -- like it was stamped instead of woven. You have a wonderful treasure and I just love feathered stars.

Cheri said...

Congratulations again, what a wonderful prize. The antique quilt is beautifully, how fun to discover it's secrets and little quirks.

Pat said...

Your newly acquired antique quilt is a beauty! Did the provenance on the accompanying form refer to the green as "fugitive green" Just curious... It is a favorite term in our quilt history study group :o) the quilted feathers are so wonderful and tells us we fret too much about continuity in the 21st century.

Enjoy that new Bernina - she is a beauty also and has landed in the home of someone who will love it!!

Pat said...

Forgot to say - rule of thumb is to not wash a vintage quilt if you can avoid it. The fact that the pencil markings are still visible adds to its history too.

Nedra said...

Congratulations again on your win, and that antique quilt is a real beauty!

Cathi said...

Congratulations again -- on the hand quilting trophy and the beautiful new Bernina!
Your antique quilt is a stunner!

Ada Plouvier-Kopitopoulou said...

Congratulations! I love the antique quilt. And it is in such a good state! Unbelievable!

Judy Dietrich said...

Feather star quilt with feather quilting--just perfect. I would seek professional help if you decide to wash it. The brown may be cedar stains from being stored in a cedar chest. At the International Quilt Study Center--they lay the quilts flat on a large table and use a special vacuum to get rid of any dirt/grit/or dust. This also allows the quilt to breathe a little between storage rotations. The actual dirt or dust on the top of the fibers can cause lots of deterioration. This is one way to get the quilt in the best condition for storage. They do not wet clean them to preserve the fragile fabrics and colors as they are. You can use a vacuum at home on a quilt if you put something over the attachment--like netting or pantyhose. That helps to keep the suction from doing more damage. It allows the dirt to go into the vacuum. You need to go slowly and work across in sections. Good Luck!! Love your trophy for the wonder quilting & the knowledge that self taught people can win lovely prizes!! Hope you have fun with the new Bernina. What a nice bunch of quilting buddies. You are very lucky in many regards!!! Pieceful Stitching

Shirley said...

Love the antique quilt. A great prize and find.enjoy it as it is. The trophy is fabulous too. As a follower friend I am mighty proud of you.x

Nifty Quilts said...

Wow! Congratulations on your trophy and your new purchases. A good way to celebrate your accomplishment.

Every Stitch said...

What a lovely antique - looks like a lovely purchase. So nice to have a support group to sew with - and I bet they are proud of you! Am interested to see how you find the new Bernina. I am using the 440QE and wonder if the 750QE would indeed be a leap up. The longer throat has to be a plus :)
Hilda

Anonymous said...

Let me add my congratulations on your ribbon collection for your stunning quilt! And now a new sewing machine reward, too. I love the red and green you chose to collect. Beautiful inspiration for hand quilting.

Lori said...

Janet, I love the photo of you and the crystal trophy is amazing! You go girl!!

That antique quilt is stunning! I love everything about it. I'm not up for washing advice, but I'm sure you'll get a lot of expert opinions.
Congrats on the lovely machine too!!

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Well deserved! Have fun on that new machine. I love your antique quilt, hopefully someone can answer you question. Would love to hear the answer and why.

Marit said...

Janet, what a well deserved prize! So happy and proud for you! Your new antique quilt is lovely...
; ))

Thimbleanna said...

Oh Janet -- how exciting! What wonderful prizes -- and VERY well deserved. (Now make all those people take their hands off of that gorgeous quilt LOL!!!)

Your antique quilt is gorgeous too. What a dilemma -- to wash or not to wash. Sorry I don't have any answers, and I'll bet you'll get different opinions too! ;-D

Carrie P. said...

wow! that is so exciting your first antique quilt purchase and a new sewing machine. Congrats!

Jane in Cumbria said...

Oh, Janet, how wonderful to have that trophy! But then you deserve it!! Your antique quilt is a wonderful purchase, and you must be looking forward to using that handsome looking Bernina too.

Dixie Howard said...

Looking forward to seeing the gorgeous quilts you will make with your new Bernina. I looks like it could fly you to the moon! Congratulations on such a well deserved win, and really love your new antique quilt. I so admire the handquilting on those old beauties.

Françoise said...

Maybe this can get you further on the subject of washing? You would always mail her?http://quiltsandmusings.blogspot.be/2013/06/quilt-care-book-free-offer.html

Donna~~ said...

Lucky you, Janet, to win a new machine! Your quilt was so lovely you well deserved it! And pretty quilt you showed today too! With regard to washing it, Patricia Cummings has made her quilt care book available for free on her Facebook page (on June 24), or see http://www.quiltersmuse.com/Guide-to-Quilt-and-Textile-Care.html It might give you some good pointers.

Janet said...

What an incredible quilt!!! I LOVE it! The quilting is amazing and Feathered star is my favorite block pattern. Thanks for the close shots. Congrats on the trophy and new machine! :o)

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Oh wow! I love your new machine...I need to win a best in show!
The quilting on the antique quilt is beautiful!

tich said...

Sorry I am so late in congratulating you. A well-deserved award!! Love the antique quilt!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh this is a beauty!

Sonja♥ said...

Nice to see you, Janet!!!
It's so long I haven't visit your blog... but I have an excuse (LOL) I have a baby since my last visit ;)
You're so gifted... I love what you do!!!

Sue said...

Well done and congratulations Janet. Your quilting is amazing.
Its on my bucket list to make a green and white applique quilt. :-)

Carolyn said...

Janet, how thrilling for you! I have been loving your quilt ever since it was in the header for your blog. It's absolutely incredible done and quilted. You have been an inspiration to me, but I have to machine appliqué, as my hands won't allow me to do much handwork. I hope you get a new room in which to display your ribbons and trophy!

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