Fabric Dating Sleuthing

I received two old blocks in the mail this week.  The pattern is tulip basket, Barbara Brackman 734.

One of the scraps of fabric in the second block had lettering.  I thought there was a chance of someone recognising this print and therefore getting a date. I posted a photo in the Facebook group, Quilts - Vintage and Antique.

The result was remarkable.  My letters were deciphered as Grant and Wilson.  Ulysses S. Grant became the President of the United States in 1873 and his Vice President was Henry Wilson.  The fabric is most likely a campaign fund raiser.

Fourth Corner Molly even had her own photos of this fabric in a block.  Grant's campaign slogan was 'Let Us Have Peace' which you can also see in this print. 

So my Tulip Baskets blocks are up to 140 years old.  Pretty impressive. I wonder if the quiltmaker was a fan of President Grant or if she was using up what she had at hand.


This week's block is Block 2 by Elizabeth Cowan.

The pattern can be found at Two Bits Patches.

Photos to inspire you are at the Chester Criswell Quilt Pinterest board.

And the original posts are here and here.

Round and Round the Blogs

I posted my photos from Quilts in the Barn but I didn't add much description.  If you want to see some more quilts from the exhibition take a peek at these blogs (hello Carole, Miriam and Sue-Anne!)

Wheels on the Warrandyte Bus

Yellow Roses

 

 

 

 

 

Buddy and Me

 

 

 

And, speaking of blogs, I found a few more bloggers sharing their Chester Criswell Quilt blocks.

 

Marian Edwards Dreamweaver has put up a photo of her first three blocks.  There are so many red prints, you don't often see the same design twice.

And here is Chris's Quilting at the Farm, a new blogger but obviously a very experienced quilter.  Isn't that red print gorgeous!  Chris has started with Block #13 and it's looking great.

Block #14 is getting put together, it's running a little late but it should be sent out tomorrow.



A Swap and a New Look at Block 2

I received a swap blog from Miriam a few weeks ago.  We decided to exchange the fleur de lis Block 10 after Miriam's delightful guest blog. I wrote my signature freehand for the first time, no tracing.

 Miriam signed her block but she had the naughty pen.  She wasn't pleased with the result so she cut the centre out and replaced it with a new signature.

Miriam isn't the only one to have troubles.  Have a look at this block from the original quilt.

Did Emily Carlile have to cover a mistake, or was she just being cautious?  It is tempting to peek under the fabric.

Barbara Burnham has an interesting post on signing quilts on her blog Baltimore Garden Quilts. Her blog has lots of helpful ideas and eye-candy photos.

I've been making another block from the quilt, this one one made by Lydia Baker.  The pattern outline is the same as Elizabeth Cowan's but the green leaf has been cut differently.

Lydia Baker pattern

detail of Lydia Baker's block

Elizabeth Cowan pattern

What's Your Favorite Block?

I had a week's holiday at lovely Mallacoota in Far East Gippsland.  I finished two blocks, one of which I can't show you yet.  The other is a second Elizabeth Cowan block.

The first one I made had the colours reversed, this one matches the original block.

It's great to see all your photos and blogs about your work in progress.  It takes time to photograph the blocks and write blog posts so thank you for your effort.  Here are a few show and tell pictures which deserve a second look.

Wendy of Legend and Lace sent me this photo of Nancy Smith's Block 4. Wendy's needleturn is perfect, if you want to find out more about back basting applique her blog is a good place to start.

Carole from Wheels on the Warrandyte Bus has a lovely blue Block 4 which she finished on a delayed homeward commute.  I like the way the curves on the fabric echo the curves of the applique.

Michelle of  Buttontree Lane has only had the patterns a short while, but her choice of fabric is amazing! The mix of traditional patterns and contempory prints is a remarkable fusion.  I'm looking forward to what she chooses next.

Do you have a favourite block so far?  They feel a bit like children to me so I don't have a favourite, but Nancy Smith's block is particularly nice.

Block 2 Elizabeth Cowan

I am so pleased to present Elizabeth Cowan's block from the Chester Criswell Quilt.  Elizabeth used green for the centre and red for the four elements; I reversed the colours. 
The pattern is now on the Two Bits Patches website.  You can choose just Block 2 or you can choose to purchase The First Year set and automatically receive a new pattern at the start of each month.

The quilt and I were invited to Wonga Park to give a bit of a show.  We had an excellent day, you can read all about it at Linda's Quilts in the Barn.