Changing of the quilts

For you viewing pleasure...two antique quilts that I just hung up.  This large crrib is hanging in the quilt lab.  It measures 41" x 52".  Can you tell me where this one comes from based on the color combination?

 Yes, that's right...Pennsylvania.

The fabrics on the front could be late 19th century, however the backing fabric dates to the early to mid 20th century.  This is one of those calicos that was reproduced over many decades.

Here is another interesting antique quilt, probably from around 1870.  It is all solid fabrics--chestnut brown, teal, red, and gold.  I don't know where it comes from, but the colors remind me of southern quilts.  It is very thin and has nice quilting.  The back is brought to the front to form the binding, which is machine stitched down with tiny stitches.

And finally, this is a large quilt block that fits nicely on my black doll bed.

Little Quilts

I just listed a bunch of items in my Etsy Shop www.etsy.com/shop/annhermes1 including some of my little quilts made from antique fabrics, stuffed cats, ditty bags, wool pinchusions, two reproduction samplers and a few vintage items as well.  More items will be listed over the weekend, too.  Please check it out if you have a minute :)

Hanging Little Quilts, link to previous post and updated information

Some time ago, I posted a blog on hanging small quilts on vintage yardsticks using little clips.  The idea came from my 2011 trip to Temecula Quilt Co. where they were using their advertising yard sticks to display little quilts. Around the same time there was a spread in Flea Market Finds magazine showing lots of things that could be done with vintage rulers and yardsticks. I added the idea of using the small clips to hang the quilts on the yardsticks and the details were shown in my post here. http://notesfromthequiltlab.blogspot.com/2011/05/rulers-and-yardsticks-arent-just-for.html

I get requests often for the details and where to buy the clips.  I had found clips from the Ackfeld Wire Co. One disadvantage was that the clips had tiny teeth, which caused me some concern, especially with vintage quilts, so I inquired and found that Ackfeld also carries clips without teeth, though they are not listed in their catalog.  I ordered some for comparison. 

The original clips with teeth are shown on the left.  As you can see, the new toothless clips on the right, have a different look and are longer.

NEW CLIP (85 cents each)

ORIGINAL CLIP (75 cents each)

I like the size of the original  clip, but the lack of teeth on the newer clip.  You can decide what you like better.  Does anyone have ideas for other easy ways to hang small quilts from rulers like this?

Some little treasures from vacation

As we do every year, my sister-in-law and I did a little antique shopping when we were out in California.  It is harder to find the primitive items I like in California (how can you beat PA?) but I had luck finding some nice items in Agoura, CA, where there is an old strip mall that is now devoted to antique and decorating stores.  There is also a great BBQ restaurant nearby.  Yum.  I added 4 little wash boards to my small collection displayed in the laundry area.  I like the small sizes.  The smallest ones shown here are toy washboards.  The others are not toys, but smaller scale.

I also found this unusual box that was filled with sewing items.

 top view

 side view

 opens to lay flat

 side view open

Here's what was inside, a needle case, marking wheel, button hook (?), bobbin.

A brief internet search uncovered that this box was indeed a sewing related box, however it is called a puzzle box and originally held Singer sewing machine attachments.  I found some photos that showed the same box with all the machine attachments in place.  My box lacks the metal mounting brackets (but the holes remain) that held the parts in place. 

Trip to California

We just returned from our annual family trip to California. We spent some time in Santa Monica, Glendale, at the beach in Oxnard, and antique shopping in Old Ventura and Agoura.

I also visited the Temecula Quilt Co., where I gave a presentation on antique PA pillowcases. I only took one photo--of the venue before the crowd arrived. I never had a chance to pull the camera out after that.

The presentation was so much fun to do; I think the 50 attendees enjoyed it too. What could be more fun than talking about antique textiles for two hours.  Here's the stack of items I showed, all back home safe and sound.  Antique pillowcases, privy bags, one large quilt and my miniature quilts.

Sheryl of the Temecula Quilt Co. hosted the event and set a lovely table of home baked goodies for all of us to enjoy.  Her shop is so beautiful and it was hopping with customers after the presentation. If you live close by, be sure to visit or visit on line at www.temeculaquiltco.com.  I also enjoyed meeting several members of the Repiecers Quilt Study Group and sharing lunch and a little show and tell with them.  I hope to see you all again next year!

Check out my latest published quilt

Have you seen the Summer 2012 issue of Fons and Porter Easy Quilts? This issues contains tons of cute projects. Check out my little quilt on page 28, "All Around the Square"

www.fonsandporter.com/issues/easy_quilts_summer_2012