Suggestions for a new "antique" quilt?
 

When I moved to the Gulf Coast, I wondered what use my coats, blankets and quilts would be. Then in January when the mercury dipped to 17 degrees, I stopped worrying.

My house turns 100 years old this year and, as part of renovations, I'd like to make a quilt for it. The quilt will go on a great old brass bed with a natural patina (unpolished). I'd like to find a pattern that would have been popular (or at least available) in 1918, the year the house was built, and use a colors appropriate to the era. This was the year the war ended, so I know that patriotism was in the air, but I'd like to avoid red, white and blue; red, to me, is not a color for a sub-tropical climate. I'd like to use unbleached muslin for the background.

Are there any quilt historians out there who can advise?

Thanks!

Thank you for the suggestions.

I think of crazy quilts (perhaps mistakenly) as dark, rich combinations of velvets, satins, and embroidery, which wouldn't suit the muggy South. However, there's nothing that says it couldn't be made of lightweight fabrics. I am, however, reluctant to tackle the random shapes without medication! I'll keep it on the list, though, just in case. I have a lot of dress-shirts that might be just right for a Crazy.

I did some searching of vintage and antique quilts and came up with Log Cabin, too. There are so many variations that one is bound to please. I particularly like the ones that use light and dark to create a 3D effect.

One pattern that appeals to me is Shoofly. It's from the mid-to-late 1800s, I believe, so would be an authentic pattern for an early 20th-century house. I saw a version where the HSTs were square, the pieces between them were rectangular and center block smaller. It had triple sashing and a nine-block where the sashing intersected. I did a little figuring and I'd have to make 120 blocks for the size quilt I want. The sashing would only be 1" wide (cut 1 1/2"). Is that too narrow? Am I asking for trouble? My skills are intermediate but I don't have a lot of quilting experience.

I was hoping to make a quilt that's understated and restful, so a two-color (unbleached muslin and maybe a muted green) was on my mind. Your thoughts?

Here is a link to the Quilt Study Museum at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. They do amazing work here and have so much information, not to mention a beautiful museum. I wish all of you could visit there. On the website you can search for antique quilts and you should find many authentic ideas. I love your plan to honor your house's history.
www.quiltstudy.org

How about the pineapple block. It could be done in yellows and oranges with green and white. The pineapple was a symbol of hospitality, especially in the south and would represent the tropical location.

To my mind (having not been around at that time) vintage to me means whites, off whites & creams with laces the same colourings. A crazy quilt in these fabrics I think would be ideal, and yes it would take longer to decorate the blocks with some embroidery, in the same colours or pastels, but it would look fabulous. It needn't be mind-boggling if you cut 12" squares - as many as you can cut at once - 3 or 4 times (stack&Whack). Of course, if you don't do embroidery it might be a challenge, some could be done using the machines' fancy stitches, lace ,braids, or you could choose to not have embroidery at all. One of these is near the top of my bucket list .

I love the Winfmill quilt..first seen in April 1903 in Ladies Home Journal. Better Homes and Gardensbook “Century of Quilts” has the pattern. I made it and it is beautiful. I used shirting but muslin would work. I think you could get the book on Amazon. I have had it for several years. Other quilts from that time are Stained Glass, Pyramid, Roman Stripe, Patchwork Flower, Broken Sash. I love old quilts and ha e spent a fair amount of time researching. Can’t wait to see what you do!

For me, scrappy is the way to go. Looks like grandma cut up the old clothes and patched them together in a quilt. Then, I fmq in a meandering way, fairly close together. Then,wash and dry very warm so that the fabric puckers. Looks like a very old, well used quilt and not too matchy matchy.

Sounds like your home is a wonderful place and how great it would be to have quilts made in the era of your home. What about civil war fabrics? I am not too up on the history of the year of your house but possibly you could look for Barbara Brackman's website or pintrest may have pictures of quilts made in the year you are interested in. Good luck in your search and will be anxious to see what your decision will be. Please share a pic when you decide and start working on a quilt.

I have an antique bed--in fact, it is old enough that it is just a bit short, consistent with when people were not as tall as they are nowadays. I have a picture of it in my grandparents' home, probably somewhat near the time you mention. The quilt on it looks to be Trip Around the World. Nine-patch is always a good basic,too.--so many variations of that one!