A Plethora of Vintage Quilts, Part 2!

Yes.  There were that many quilts.

There were SO many quilts, that rather than lump them into one big long slide show without commentary, I decided to opt for two posts rather than one.

Less IS more, as they say – and how can we fully appreciate anything with wide open eyes if said eyes are glazed over on over-load?

If you missed yesterday’s batch, you will find them HERE.

And perhaps, like watching LAST YEAR’S Season of Downton Abbey before this one let loose so that you didn’t forget anything and were ready for the new, you’ll want to flip back and re-familiarize yourself with those quilts because they ARE wonderful!

How about we start off with this simple 1950s churn dash?  I love red and pink together, especially as we move toward February and valentine’s day.  This is just sweet in simplicity.  While MOST of the blocks hae red either as the main design or as background, there are a few blocks that deviate from the theme, and I think that is what makes this one interesting.

Even red on red!

Check out the green gingham, second row up on the left.  Yep.  Bias on the outside edges of half square triangles.  Likely cut that way so she could make the best use of the fabric!  Two of the connecting squares are on straight grain, and two are also on bias.  I just LOVE this.  Do what you can, make the best use of the fabric, and get it done! 

And oh, that fan quilting!

Old Grey Goose!

Or at least that is what I was told this block was named.

Got another one for it?

Wonderful blue print sashings with all of these great butterscotch blocks!

But look at the second row up on the right!  LOL!

I’m going to say the maker left it there on purpose.

A primitive pink Dresden!

Or is it leaves in a breeze?

Fabulous 1940s fabrics.

And a very free spirit with applique placement!

I think this was one of my favorites!  Snowball!

It reminds me of one of THESE!!

I know my little brother had one of these, as did both of my boys.  My, how toys have changed!  But the look of that snow ball quilt brought this old child's favorite right to mind.

Meticulously pieced! 

Some careful placement, and some not..it’s a good combination! 

And definitely not boring!

who can resist a vintage random 4 patch?

Not me!

And I think I’d love to make one.

One 4 patch at a time, not quickly strip pieced.

But enjoying each little unit coming together at its own pace.

This one was stuck in the window!

And I couldn’t get it down.

Fairly shredded in places, it still speaks of a love of patchwork and scrap fabrics in that fabulous streak of lightning setting.

Oh My Stars!

Isn’t this fun??

I love these little low contrast babies.  At first I didn’t even think it was the same block, but it is.  My favorite?  second row up, second from the right, red background. Very fun!

And with that exclamation I think I just decided on what I shall name my recent string star project.  “Oh, My Stars!”  See?!  Sometimes if you just let things happen, it will come!

What a fun double wedding ring!

I love it when the rings are squashed and almost square-ish.

Some high contrast, some low contrast arcs.

Woolly bear paw!

Find the odd bits!

First row, left – triangles awry!

bottom row, second and third blocks in, on and upper row on the right –fabric substitution.  A few blacks were sewn in likely due to lack of more background fabric.  But these are the bits that give this quilt life and sparkle.  Don’t let uniformity stint your creativity!  I love this.

Also the bottom block on the right..the sashings are lighter than the background and that changes the block completely.

Oh, so loved!

Sweet blossoms!

As I’m sitting here typing up commentary between these photos, there is one thing that comes to mind.

ALL of the stitches.  ALL of the hours spent doing something that we love so much.  And as quilters, don’t we know that most quilts that are made are not made for ourselves, but as a gift of love for someone else.  So I am thinking of not just the maker, but wondering WHO the recipient was.  And how these quilts must have been cherished with the wearing out.

This was a favorite find!

Sort of Ohio stars, sort of not!

THIS!

They look like snow flakes!

Almost a “Rolling Stone block” but simpler!

Remember what I was saying yesterday about how quilt makers from an earlier time often grouped “like kinds” together? Check that out in this quilt.  Instead of scrambling everything so it was “planned randomness” ((Don’t you love oxymorons?!)) they grouped the ones that use the same fabric together in rows, or partial rows, next door to each other.  So fascinating!

Close up.

And that red and black for sashing is PERFECT!

And yes, the yellow is paint on the floor, not borders on the quilt.

Yellow and army green!

Accented with a red border and black binding.

More great fab quilting.

This was not made by a beginner either.

Templates, fabric, scissors, needle, thread….and time.  Lots of time!

A fun and woolly 25 patch!

Some blocks are planned, some are random!

But the most fun of all is the BACK!!

Check it out!

Neutrals & greys!

And last, but definitely not least!

Kaleidoscope of Strings!

Can this be more fun??  Weeeee!!

It was an awesome time spent wandering.  And I can’t wait to do it again, in another place, in another town on another adventure.

Speaking of adventures:

Hello, Hillsborough!

I took a little road trip with my friend Jen yesterday to check out a featherweight she was interested in adopting – her first vintage machine ever.  Oh, was she ever excited! And I was happy to go with her to check it over so she knew what she was getting.

Beautiful 1951 centennial!

This machine was in immaculate condition, I don’t think it was ever sewn on much, if ever.  It purrs as if brand new.  All attachments included, even the manual.  She was very happy with her price, and we left there smiling and chatting about what a wonderful machine this is.  I should have caught a photo of her with this little black box in her arms, but sometimes you can’t catch EVERYTHING in a photo.

Trust me, her smile was ear to ear!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

We all fear change to some extent. We like things the way that we like them, but without change we stay who we are where we are. This change could take you to places you've never been before. Embrace it! Vintage album block quilt found in McKinney, Texas.

As for me, I’m packing the van and headed to the cabin for the weekend.

I’ll catch you from there!  Have a great Friday, everyone!

Click Here to like our Quiltville Friends Page on Facebook for more fun!
Click Here to join our sister group, Quiltville's Open Studio on Facebook, a place to Sew, Share & Grow!!