Phoppe

I was wondering if anyone might know of popular quilt patterns from the "Wild West" days. My cousin in Germany is creating his own saloon in an old barn on his property and I was thinking of making him a throw quilt to hang over a chair or something from the wild west saloon era. Anyone know of the common quilt block patterns that would have been used around that time? Thanks.

QuiltE

I doubt there were quilts in the Old Saloons!

However, you can never go wrong with Log Cabin Quilts!

Holice

narrow the time frame down. To my knowledge distinct patterns did not emerge or become identified until into the second quarter of 1800's

Phoppe

Hahaha I know there weren't any IN the saloons. But I just want to make something from the era. Thanks for the Log Cabin suggestion.

Phoppe

I was thinking 1870's/1880's perhaps. When they were in full swing

Holice

Yu might check books by Barbara Brackman. Several years ago she published a book of just pictures of patterns and their origin and date first published.
There is also a book with title something like "Quilts from the 1800's to 1930" or so. It might give you chronology of dates of patterns.

DOTTYMO

Please excuse the question. What or when was the slave trade with th quilt blocks telling slaves what to do.?

BellaBoo

That would be the Underground Railroad. There are books with the quilt blocks from that era. Eleanor Burns has a very good one.

For the Wild West, these books are all about quilts of that time:

Ho for California! Pioneer Women and their quilts by Jean Ray Laury

The Quilt that Walked to Golden, Women and their quilts in the mountain west by Sandra Dallas

Phoppe

Great question Dottymo!

Phoppe

Thank you Holice and Bellaboo. I will look into your suggestions!