This is an Amish quilt from Bucks County in Pennsylvania, circa 1895. It is one of those “heart” quilts or love at first sight. I had gone to an antique show the Saturday I was in Vermont and saw this quilt in someone’s space. The dealer was using it as a backdrop for display. It immediately caught my eye so I inquired. She remarked that she was primarily using it as part of her set-up, but if I were interested, she would certainly be willing to sell it. She named a price, and I agreed.
I think it is a gem, but what baffles me is the fabric. The olive green fabric is easy to guess. It is a wool challis. The purple-toned fabric is a blend. It has an iridescent sheen to it and it feels like it might have some linen. Perhaps it is a linsey-woolsey, a older fabric with a blend of linen and wool. Unfortunately, I am not well-versed on Amish quilts. I know rudimentary facts about them, but not expertise knowledge.
If anyone has any knowledge they would like to share on this particular fabric or genre of quilts, I would welcome some insight. The quilting is particularly lovely on this quilt, tiny, uniform stitches. Very nice.
Visiting another quilt shop on the same trip, I had to ask myself if I needed anymore vintage clothing, but when does common sense play into the role of a collector’s mind? I cannot remember when I have seen such a fine Victorian skirt. The label on the tag said “Taffeta Victorian Skirt”. The fabric is not taffeta. It is a cotton sateen, a very nice one. The detail, all done on a sewing machine is superb.
How I would love to wear this, but is is too long and would need to be altered, something I could not bring myself to do. It must have been a taller woman that wore this skirt. I wonder who she was, and what a shame to have no record of this.
These are not vintage textiles, but they are vintage trucks. It is a stretch, I know, to try and seam the categories, but I could not resist the temptation to share them. We went to a pumpkin patch in the country yesterday and this was part of the decor of one of them. I wonder if I should start collecting vintage trucks. Yikes. Some common sense might need to play out here.
… love this post! i know you are a purist ….. but what about altering that skirt at the waist and leaving the bottom design motif in pristine condition. the quilt…..be still my heart…..that is a charming quilt.
one day i’ll post pics of my favorite antique quilt acquisition from New Harbor, Maine……you’ll like it i think
I would love to see your antique quilt. I never tire of looking at old quilts. So much to learn and enjoy with these special pieces.
I like your idea regarding the skirt. I will think this over a bit and see if I could justify it!
The quilt is beautiful as is the taffetta skirt that isn’t tafetta. The detail is beautiful. And I’m glad you worked in those lovely truck gardens. They are beautiful and unique.
I think the trucks were as much a novelty as Richard Saja’s art. How does one pass along a highway and see such delights without taking a photo? Impossible!
That is a lovely quilt. I do hope that you will use it and not as a hanging. It would work in any color scheme and the woman’s heart that made it (wherever she may be) would beat in tune with you.
I do agree with you about the skirt. I always have a hesitancy about changing any artist’s concept. If it were mass produced, I would say “Go for it” but not as it stands.
I wish I could use this on the bed, but it is quite worn and would not hold up, particularly with my cats that like to sleep on the bed every night. By the way, I accept your invitation to be an auntie to your sweet kitties. I am so flattered at the mere suggestion.
Laughing about the cats on the bed and fragile blankets. The reason I have so many blankets to mend would be that little dog Lola. I had hoped she would grow out of chewing holes but she hasn’t (I can’t catch her in the act) and she paws at blankets to form a nest. I just keep telling myself it adds character.
That skirt and quilt both have so much character! And the trucks are terrific. I’m glad you stretched your rule and shared them.
The Amish quilt is very beautiful. They were labours of love, as well as being works of art, weren’t they?
wow, what a gem, the sheen on that fabric is glorious and made even more spectacular with the stitching.
The quilt is quite beautiful! I can imagine someone
quietly stitching away. I love anything Amish! I have
spent time in that area and even contemplated moving
there because I so enjoyed being near the Amish.
The skirt is beautiful too!
what beautiful treasures-i love them all! the trucks are quite inspiring. i have a old brass bed that i intend to “plant”. i think with an assortment of grasses and moss-so it can actually be used for it’s original purpose-to lay on.