Thursday, July 9, 2009

Antique Quilts

Janet of Quiltsalott and Kathie of Inspired by Antique Quilts have recently blogged about starting a red and green Baltimore style appliqué quilt called Mary Mannakee and they have invited others to accompany them. I am so tempted to join them in their journey simply because of the history and beauty of this quilt but I know that my appliqué skills are no where near the skill level needed and I doubt that I’d be able to keep up. But we’ll see.

berrydividerxI just antique quilts. At last count, I have about 25 that I’ve had the good fortune to find in my travels over time. I also feel blessed to have been afforded the opportunity to give them a temporary home until such time that they’re passed on to someone else after I’m gone.

After red and white quilts, red and green quilts are my next favorites. The two that I have are in relatively good condition, given their approximate age which I’ve been told is over 100 years.

DSCN0726Some of the red squares on this quilt are a little worn but it certainly does not detract from its simplistic beauty.

DSCN0729The hand quilting is intricate and absolutely gorgeous. Can you make out the tulip inside the feather wreath?

DSCN0724This is another of my red and green quilts. As with most older quilts, they were created out of necessity rather than for their beauty. This quilt is in exceptional condition but is somewhat faded from age and use.

DSCN0725The hand quilting is beautiful as well.

DSCN0730This red and white bow tie quilt is another one of my favorites. The red color has faded only slightly over the years and apart from that, it too is in great condition.

DSCN0731 The hand quilting is simple but beautiful.

DSCN0732 Another red and white beauty…DSCN0734 and hand quilted in the Baptist fan pattern.

DSCN0735I have many others neatly folded in my quilt cupboard and I try to air them out and refold them as often as possible. I feel their original purpose was functionality and they definitely get lots of gentle use in my home. I switch them out on my beds at least once a month and try to coordinate the colors and patterns with the season or holiday.

berrydividerxIt is really difficult for me to pass up an antique quilt. However, since I’ve started to make my own quilts, I have become a bit more selective with my purchases. That being said, if I had to make a choice between ‘old’ or new, without even batting an eyelash, my choice would be old and loved.

What about you? What would your choice be?

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

36 comments:

Dolores said...

I love the single Irish chain. They are all lovely in their simplicity.

Joyce said...

I love old quilts too. Several years ago I purchased an antique quilt top in a nearby city. It has the most amazing green fabric in it with some red. I actually saw the same fabric featured in American Patchwork several years back. I think they were dating their quilt around the 1800's. Wouldn't you just love to know about the women who made the quilt?

Janet said...

My goodness these quilts are stunners and I'd choose old over new any day. Pre loved is what they are. Thank you for sharing them. Isn't the quilting on them just beautiful.

Julie said...

wow, you've definitely got some beauties there kaaren. i hope you know someone to leave them to who will love them as much as you do. what history. and what stories they could tell! i like both old & new. having said that, i don't like loud, 'inyaface' fabrics.
hugs,
julie xox

antique quilter said...

oh thank you for sharing these quilts with us.
LOVE Them and I agree isn't the quilting amazing?
I choose old quilts ! but since I can;t afford them my journey of making quilts inspired by antique quilts began!

how I would love to spend the afternoon refolding all those quilts for you!
Kathie

Mel said...

You've got some beautiful quilts Kaaren! I'm glad you shared some with us!

I hope to do a Baltimore quilt ONE day. Thanks for the links, very enticing!

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Oh, my choice is "old and well-loved"!!! Your collection is lovely! Thanks for sharing them with us! Now if you go over to my blog, you will see my post about your lovely pincushion gifties that you sent me. :-)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cupboard with all those wonderful older quilts. I'd choose old but the pocketbook won't allow for the ones I truly love so I must make my own and be satisfied with just that.

Rumi said...

Lovely, lovely old quilts! Thanks for sharing.

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a beautiful collection. I have 3 old quilts...sadly 2 are not in good condition but they're family heirlooms. I love all the handwork and the fact that these beauties were utilitarian. Your collection is gorgeous.

Betsy said...

your quilts are adorable. I too love antique quilts but I cannot afford to buy them.

Darlene said...

I love old quilts, as well but sadly do not have the pleasure of owning one - yours are simply delightful. I tried very hard to pick a favorite and couldn't - LOL!

Thank you for sharing, Kaaren.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

I have always loved the Baltimore style quilts. I have admired them in historic settings and books and magazines. If you do decide your are up to the challenge, I so hope we can follow along the journey with you.

Humm - old vs new .... I think my answer would be pretty clear!!

Love the display in your cabinet. You have some gorgeous treasures in and on there!!

hugs, Linda

Susannah said...

Hello Kaaren, You have beautiful, beautiful quilts. They are nicely displayed, too. I am so happy for you because we can tell how much you adore quilts.

For me, there is no question....I love the old ones...just the "feel" of them is something to cherish.

Friends,
Susannah

Annette said...

Beautiful quilts...and very loved and cared for I can tell. Your quilt cupboard is awesome!!

Cathi said...

Your old quilts are absolutely stunning -- the quilting must be almost mesmerizing to look at in person!
I love the two-colour quilts. They are so timeless in their appeal!

Janet said...

I've gone as far as filling out the order form for the pattern from DAR. I'm still wavering over tackling such a large project. But to have more try it would be fun.

Sara said...

Those quilts are absolutely beautiful! They look great and were obviously cared for! Thanks for sharing them!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

My great grandmother was a hand quilter; I can remember playing under her large frame when I was very little. There is not even one of her quilts around today. One time I was in an antique store and saw an old pink and white quilt, it had been dearly loved. It now lives with us and in my mind; this quilt was made by my great-grandma. We call it the Grandma Ryan’s quilt and it is one of our favorites. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful quilts with us and I look forward to seeing what you create in your new quilting bee.

Candace said...

I would chose old as well, Kaaren! Your collection is incredible - it's so rare to find those such as yours in such good condition anymore! They all look fabulous in your cupboards, too!
Cheers!

Karen said...

Love the red & white bow tie quilt. I do like antique quilts but I can't be the keeper of them any more. You have a nice collection of them.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Oh Kaaren, I so enjoyed your antique quilt show! You have a beautiful collection!
I love old quilts and have great memories of them on my bed, but out of necessity with nine children in our family, they were used up when were growing up.
I have not had a chance to ever purchase an antique, but maybe someday!

Lurline said...

You have Heaven all around you!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Hanne said...

Lovely quilts - thanks for sharing !

Deb said...

all of them.. sorry the decision is just to hard to make...I would loved to have been the maker of that red bowtie.. excellent for Xmas theme..and the red and greens.. love the hand quilting.
You are easy to persuad into a new project. I checked out the pattern and it is awesome..you will get great support if you try it not to worry..

Jocelyn said...

Oh your antique quilts are so beautiful. I love the one with the Baptist Fan quilting! I've only bought 3 quilts that someone else made. They are a little hard to come by in my area, so sometimes they are quite expensive. But I love the antique ones that do grace my little cottage :-)

Karen said...

Love your antique quilts and those red and white ones make my heart go pitter patter. Your cupboard with them folded so nicely inside is a real keeper and nice eye candy. Thank you for sharing them

Hugs - karen

Unknown said...

Look at that gorgeous stitching! OMGosh!!! I am in LOVE with your quilt cupboard! What a beautiful way to display all those beautiful quilts! It's just lovely! I don't quilt, but I do tatting (hand made lace) and so I can appreciate the time spent stitching all of those beautiful quilts. What beautiful workmanship and it's wonderful that they are in good hands that appreciate them! :)

Carrie P. said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely quilts. I love them all but especially the red bow tie quilt. That pattern is what my first quilt was made from.

Carrie P. said...

Hey Congrats on your win over at Darlene's.

Francien said...

Oh Kaaren...what a lovely quilts!! and you have so many of them...I envy you!!( in a good way ofcourse) and I too like the "old and loved" ones..I am always impressed how they did that without the modern materials we have nowadays like online purchasing almost everything...longarm quiltingmachines...quiltingyarn etc...it was done with the materials they had at the time and made stunning quilts with it...
You have some beautys there...lucky woman you!!had to look at them again and zoomed in to them ..the quilting is awesome..
have a nice Sunday...greetings Francien.

Lynne said...

What a lovely collection of quilts you have. How fortunate you are.
I'm off to check out the Baltimore's now. Sounds a wonderful idea, but I already have too many projects on the go.

Rose Marie said...

Wonderful quilts and how lucky you are to have such a lovely selection. Your quilt cupboard is to die for and how hard is must be to decide which quilts to display.

Vintage Sandy said...

Kaaren,
I have a question for you how did you insert the little heart in your paragraph to take the place of love if you don't mind me asking
Thanks,
Sandy
smiller50@neo.rr.com
p.s. love your blog

Heidi said...

Drool, drool, drool...

Oh my! I love your cupboard full of antique quilts!

Drool, drool, drool...

I cannot believe you have so many old quilts. They always seem to be so terribly expensive so I don't own any other than a new quilt (very small) I bought from an Amish woman.

Drool, drool, drool...

Excuse me while I go clean myself up after all this drooling...

Hugs ~
Heidi

Nanette Merrill said...

How in the world could I choose a favorite! I love them all. The first one with the green Irish chain is my favorite though. Weird for me - who loves red! But the simplicity is classic. They are all lovely though. I am jealous.