A few years ago, I started looking at velvet quilts. They were intriguing. The people who made them must have been intriguing, too. They thought differently. Other quiltmakers used cottons and wools. Even in the Victorian period, when velvets were among the rich fabrics used in crazy quilts, they were not often the primary fabric. That means velvet quilts are a little unusual.
This quilt came from a lovely lady who was a local dealer at the Antiques Expo in Portland over the weekend. She couldn't remember where it came from, but said it was possibly from the midwest. It is 79" x 80" and includes 25 blocks with crazy patchwork, LeMoyne stars and "x" blocks. Two of the blocks have small pink and white flowers appliqued in the center.
Decorative feather stitch covers every seam, and a variety of thread colors were used. Although the quilt would be considered a crazy quilt, there is a sense of structure. A cluster of star blocks fills the center, cornered by the "x" blocks and surrounded by the crazy blocks. There are also two wheel blocks, which seem more casually placed.
Here are some of the other velvet quilts in my collection. Maybe one day there will be enough for an exhibition.
Admire your collections of the 1950's quilts. Would like for you to talk to our Monarch Quilt Guild in Salida, Colorado in the year 2018. Thank you Sue
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. I appreciate you thinking of me but I am no longer on the lecture circuit.
DeleteThank you for your reply. I guess its my loss. I will keep watching your blog. Here is a tip. The Mule Kick store up in Leadville, CO. carries polyester quilt tops and finished quilts. The store is a resale shop for winter clothing. Check it out.
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