Inspired by the quilt tops from Ann Champion’s cupboard, I decided to collect some antique fabric to make doll quilts. A few weeks ago, I found this top and one other offered together on ebay with a “buy it now” option for $9.95! I was pretty excited because, even though the photos were terrible (the quilt tops were folded), I could see the fabrics looked wonderful.
This pattern is often called Album or Friendship, and the oldest date I’ve found for it is 1896, but it could be older. The quilter turned her blocks on point and added the fancy striped sashing, which was an interesting idea except that she wasn’t too particular about cutting the strips (or she just didn’t have enough fabric to be fussy cutting these pieces).
Overall, the quilt has a really nice look. I love the brown fabrics, and sometimes the quilter even had big enough pieces in her scrap bag to make a whole block with no extra seams.
This block doesn’t have extra seams, either, but it’s a totally different pattern — Washington Sidewalk. This was probably just a mistake — I believe the “humility block” is a myth.
Often she had to piece the individual pieces,
or substitute a different fabric, or both.
Right in the center of the quilt is my favorite fabric which appears to be a commemorative print made for the Centennial — isn’t it great?
The quilt top does not lie flat, so for this and many other reasons I am going to take it apart. Fortunately it is hand pieced, which makes the deconstruction easier. I really like the album pattern, though, so I think that’s going to be the pattern for my first quilt with antique fabric, although it probably won’t be a doll quilt since some of these prints are a bit too large for that.
Wow! That centennial fabric is VERY cool! I wonder if the quilt was made in that time frame or if someone made it at a later date using what they may have called “vintage” fabrics. I am AMAZED that you were able to get it for nine bucks! (bucks sounds cheaper than dollars, don’t you think?)
What a great quilt top! I love the browns and greys with the lighter colors. The odd block is a fun detail!
Can’t wait to see what you decide to do with it!
What a find! Those old fabrics are wonderful, especially that centennial print. I love when the little pieces are pieced, too.
Oh my. That is fantastic. LOVE the fabrics. That price is unbelievable!
what an amazing find!
I love the idea of taking it apart and making a little quilt with it.
would be fun just to take 3 blocks and make a table runner
or one block hand quilt it and have it as a little quilt on the wall!
consider this one of your best finds ever!
Kathie
Your new quilt is wonderful! Some of my best finds were just like the way you got this one. A bad photo..and no competition. I’ve been “burned” a couple of times..but you never know? Sometimes it’s worth the gamble? You did great! I love those fabrics. 🙂
I love the use of various stripes throughout! Great find!!
Dear Martha, I received a link to you blog thru Google News feed. I would very much like to discuss this quilt top with you before you take it apart. Would you be willing to contact me by email?
You have a real treasure here that needs to be documented for posterity. I LOVE studying old quilts. Especially if they ahve names on them! I hope you will visit the link I gave you when this page asked for a website and see the research I have done on a very similar Album Quilt. Like you, I also recently purchased an Album quilt top on eBay which I am now researching. My blog also has an article and photos about a Doll Quilt lecture I gave to the Western Wasington Quilt Study Group last year. I LOVE doll quilts too because they are so easy to transport when I do lectures. Plus they are just plan TREASURES! So happy to have discovered your blog! Happy New Year! Karen A.
Just wow. What a find, and what a task to take on, taking it apart to put it back together. You are some kind of seamstress.
Taking it apart? Oh Martha, that centennial fabric was saved because it remained a top and not a quilt. I think it would devalue it if you did that. I agree with Karen on this one! I love these fabrics, it makes a great fabric study of late 19th century quiltmaking!
Super beau, j’adore tes tissus ancien. Bravo pour ta réalisation.
Amicalement