Quilt As Desired

Hello Everyone,

While I was at MQX in Portland teaching and viewing the gorgeous quilts, there were some special exhibits.  One of my favorite was from my friend Mary Kerr.  The exhibit is called Quilt As Desired.  Mary is an accomplished quilter, an appraiser, author, and collector of quilts.

This particular exhibit was of vintage quilts.  She had collected vintage quilt tops and decided to have different long arm quilters, throughout the world quilt them as they saw fit.  The results are absolutely stunning.  

These were transformed from tops to truly beautiful quilts! I selected only a few to show because this is a must see exhibit!! It will be coming to the quilt show that I coordinate at the New England Air Museum in September, 2015.

I simply adore this Grandmother's Flower Garden!

The quilting was done in yellow thread and is to die for...

This plain applique top was quilted with some unbelievably awesome quilting.

Everything about this quilt, I love.  The Dresdens the ice cream cone borders, the colors, the quilting...

Just look at it!!

This is Mary and two more gorgeous quilts!

Ahhh... red, white, and blue beauty!

This otherwise plain top was quilted and the quilting totally made this vintage top SING LOUD!

LOVE these Dresden too.  The background color is just fabulous!

This one was quilted my Karen McTavish.  Just wonderful!

Look at what bow ties can transform into!!

Hope you liked this little tour.  To see more of Mary's quilts and her work, just click here to be taken to her website.

Until Next Time...

Quilt As Desired

A Vintage Find

Hello Everyone,

While in Pennsylvania for Christmas, we went to a flea market and I found a beautiful quilt.  I really couldn't believe the condition it was in and I love the design.  

It is all hand quilted and the fabrics are a calico (30s) type print and white.  It did have a stain on it, but when I got it home, I washed it and the stain came out... YAY!!

Pavi came to check it out.  The always present quilt inspector.

Here is the block and a close up of the fabric and quilting.  Does anyone know the name of this block??  I am not sure, but I can totally see this made up in modern fabrics.  In fact, I think I may just do that!

I think Pavi really approved, he is more than comfortable.  

But what I couldn't really believe was the pristine condition it was in, unfortunately the man selling it didn't know the year it was made or who made it.  He said he had gotten it from an estate sale.  No label on it either.

The other great thing was that I got it for a song and a dance!! I couldn't believe the price.

Right now it is living on my railing in my foyer.  I really like how it looks there.

If you have any clue as to the name of the block or possible age of this quilt, I would really appreciate any input.

Thanks!!

Until Next Time...

A Vintage Find

Vintage Grandmother's Flower Garden

Hello Everyone,

Back at Christmas time, my sister in law had a wonderful vintage Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt with her.  When she took it out of the bag to show me,  I was in love!

Each flower is hand sewn with fabric that dates back to the 20s or 30s.

The choices of colors is just fantastic!  I love them encircled with the solid white.  As some of you may remember, I am working on my own.  You can read about it here.

The binding was a sweet yellow and two of the edges are zig zag, the others straight.

The entire quilt is hand quilted and in excellent shape!  It has a couple of stains on the back side, but not on the front.  The great part of this story was that it was for sale!!!  I was psyched!!  She said the proceeds would go to the local animal shelter (something near and dear to my heart).  I asked how much and she said to make an offer and guess what????  They took it and I own this fabulous quilt!

I am in love with it!!  I don't think that I could have found a quilt like this in the condition that it is in, I am so fortunate!  Thank you, Shirley for bringing it to me this weekend!

Also, a couple of months ago a very good friend of mine, (you know who you are), found these...

and sent them to me!  What a surprise to receive these in my mailbox.  My day was made!

Some great vintage Grandmother Flower Garden blocks that are begging for me to finish them.  

Great colors and well put together.  Now for one more project on my to do list!  Thank you so much for making my day, you truly are wonderful!

Do any of you have anything vintage?  I would love to know and if you have photos, would love to see them!

Until Next Time...

Vintage Grandmother's Flower Garden

Vintage Dresdens

Hello Everyone,

Just last week I was cruising eBay and found a beautiful vintage top. It was nearing the end of the bidding and the bidding was quite low. So I thought, what the heck and placed a bid within the last few minutes. Guess what, I won the auction!! And the best part is I received a beautiful top for only $57, a steal!!

Drum roll please...

Aren't these beautiful Dresdens? I believe they are either 30s or 40s. The item description said 20s. If anyone out there can tell for sure, I would love your opinion. They almost look like feedsack prints.

A beautiful "ice cream cone" border. It is a little flared, so I may need to make some adjustments prior to quilting it. But all in all this quilt top is in fantastic shape.

The only other thing that I might consider doing is adding a solid color fabric circle to the middle of the dresdens. What do you think, leave as is or add an appliqued circle?

Here is the entire quilt top in all its glory!! Isn't it just wonderful! I plan on quilting it and then putting it on the bed in the guest room. Very quaint and vintage. Love it!!

Business wrap up... City Scapes and Tempest Quilt Kits are now back in stock!! Find them here. Also, a brand new designer from Australia has some wonderful quilt patterns. You can find them here on my site!!

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Until Next Time...

Vintage Dresdens

Antique Finds Today!!

Well, today I spent the day running errands and grocery shopping. We also de-christmased our household. Alas, the holidays are truly over. But I was done with everything fairly early and decided to go to 2 local antique shops. They are quite large and have loads of antique vendor booths. I just wanted to poke around not really knowing what I might find. I did see some old quilts but they were more than I was willing to spend at this time. But, I did have fun and found some vintage and some not so vintage buttons!!Aren't they cool!! I love them and I think they will make nice additions to some projects. Maybe I can make a tote or 2, embellish a quilt. I especially like the green ones that look like crystals. But if anyone has any specific projects that you think these particular buttons would look good on please post a comment and let me know.

Antique Finds Today!!