What do you think is a traditional quilt?
 

I need to make a quilt that looks traditional. Now I'm more of a bright, batik, paper piecing kind of girl so I am struggling with this. I have looked at antique quilts on the internet but there isn't one pattern that really screams traditional to me.

So what do you think immediately looks traditional? What colours, maybe a red and white or more subdued colours? What blocks? Should I do a sampler quilt, or just one type of block?

Any help would be appreciated.

What is the quilt going to be used for? (more like who I guess actually). Traditional I think of calico fabrics, no bright whites, older "known" patterns. But I am sooooooo not traditional either, so may be a case of "the blind leading the blind" lol

There are many different options for a "traditional" quilt. If you are referring to applique, I almost always immediately think of a Baltimore Album.

As far as others, it depends what era you're thinking of -- 1930's, 1920's, Civil War, primitive, etc. In general, quilts from those eras used dyes that were neither as bright (luminous) nor intense (pure) of a hue & typically the fabrics were not color-fast and would fade with time, exposure to sunlight & washing. Picking duller colors will typically help & picking an off-white rather than a pure white (same for black) will also lend a more authentic nod to the past. There are quilt shops that specialize in patterns, kits & fabrics from particular eras. If you're able to narrow it down for us as to whether you mean appliqued or pieced & how intricate of piecing you mean, that would help.

Currently, I'm working on an Irish Chain/Sunbonnet Sue with 1930's repro fabrics. Both the Irish Chain & Sun Bonnet Sue patterns originated in the 30's, and the repro fabrics work perfectly with the pattern.

Here are some ideas from an LQS by me that specializes in traditional quilts & fabrics:
http://www.piecefulgathering.com/shop/Kits.htm

Thanks for your replies

I don't have to be specific to one era, I was just after something that looks like it was made a long time ago, and I would prefer no applique mainly because of time that will take. Any kind of piecing is fine. Thanks for the tip on the white fabric.

You might try a red and white Double or Triple Irish Chain. Complicated enough to keep you interested and antiquee enough when you are finished to look like old time. Don't use bright white solids, but an off white to give it that vintage looks.
tim in san jose

Have you considered looking at amish quilts made with solids and pieced in a traditional pattern. Maybe you'd enjoy that since solids is also very modern again.

googled antique amish quilts
/www.google.com/search?q=amish+quilts&biw=1164&bih=817&source=lnms &tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAmoVChMI3pWlxLjZxwIVit CACh2ErQlE&dpr=1.1#tbm=isch&q=antique+amish+quilts

Scrappy log cabin. That's traditional for sure.

Nine patch pieced and quilted by hand.

(I read way too much Little House on the Prairie as a child...)

Hole in the Barn Door, aka Monkey wrench. Earth tones, plaids. Off grain. Scrappy. Cotton or wool batting with plenty of shrinkage. Quilted 1/4" from all seam lines.

A traditional quilt to me indicates small pieces arranged to create a geometric pattern. I think scrappy also gives a more old-fashioned look to a quilt. The Civil War fabrics, as they're called -- those rich, subdued shades in smaller prints -- give an instant historic look to a quilt. There are a number of designers that specialize; Jo Morton and Marcus fabrics are two that come to mind.

The Ohio Star or Irish Chain are good traditional patterns and keeping the fabrics toned down and softer than saturated color will keep the traditional look. The Irish Chain is great in just two colors, a light background and any other fabric that isn't saturated with color, even bright calico would be tradional.

One of my favorite combinations of "old" or traditional is cheddar yellow, turkey red and indigo w/ an antique white thrown in the mix.

Good luck with your project and please post your choice and progress.
peace

Log cabin or Irish Chain are my thoughts. Muted colors, calico or small blender prints.

I would add baskets, Dresden plate, or churn dash to the mix. There are many great basket patterns to choose from

I also like Boston Commons and Trip Around The World, the choices of colors are endless. The patterns are traditional but the colors can be Civil War era, 30's, floral or batik.
Does you quilt need to tradition in pattern and color??

For me when I think traditional quilt Double Wedding Ring is the very first in line. Then Crazy Quilt.

You can't beat log cabin for traditional. froggyintexasnowfroggyinThe Land of Enchantment, New Mexico USA

What about a sampler quilt....lots of different traditional blocks - many if not all of which can be done by paper piecing if you happen to really like that method.

A traditional quilt isn't bright or modern. I think of the old patterns like Irish Chain, GFG, DWR.

I was just thinking about this too, and I cast my vote with the others who suggest Irish Chain. I'd go for single; it's simple, beautiful, traditional and fast.
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Quiet Earth tones, and blocks that have been around since before I was born. Log Cabin, Drunkards Path, that sort of thing.

Exactly my thoughts, using tea stained / slightly dull yellow fabrics. Hand pieced and hand quilted if you want truly traditional. Now throw it in a pile on the floor to let the kids sleep on and you are there!! LOL, I remember back in the olden days, sleeping on a "pallet" (not sure if that is spelled or even close to being right, just how it sounded to me as a child). Wish I could go back to those days and show them how much I appreciate them now!

You're going to get as many answers as there are respondents to your question so I won't muddy the waters. I would warn you not to confuse 'traditional' with 'period', however.

If I were you, I'd do a Google search of quilt show winners in the 'Traditional' categories. That should give you a good indication of what is considered traditional by entrants and judges alike.

Thank you everyone, your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

Thanks for the tip ghostrider, I hadn't thought of that, I have been looking at antique quilts but looking at the traditional category might give me more ideas, but it looks as though patterns like log cabin and Irish chain seem to yell traditional to most people so I might go with something like that.

To me traditional means older patterns and fabric, like 9 patch, dresden plate, double wedding ring, and ect. I hope it helps.

Traditional is in the mind of the beholder, IMHO. there are so many options. You really cannot define it as one look.
sandy

Traditional quilts aren't always dull and ugly. I have many made by my MIL,in the 30's and 40's. They are bright and pretty. Dresden plate, snowball, and hexes have been around a very long time. Trip around the World, Drunkards path. Log Cabin. These are Traditional. All of them, Sunbonnet Sue has been around a long time.

I think of unbleached muslin and calico in a traditional block like churn dash, nine-patch, Ohio star, etc.

I put a quilt in a competition thinking pp was traditional. Message was it was in the wrong category.
i would say traditional is more pieced blocks triangles squares etc. .

For me traditional quilts generally have one or more of the following: symmetry, blocks, traditional colors/prints, while more modern quilts are often asymmetrical with brights or more modern prints.

Define traditional colors. ;)

sandy

I'd say red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, black, white, and any combination of those eight. :)

'Traditional', even for quilts, is also often location specific. I imagine traditional quilts in Australia are vastly different than traditional quilts here in the northeast corner of the US which are quite different than traditional quilts in the UK despite the close common heritage of all three areas.

When I think of traditional, I think of log cabin, Sunbonnet Sue, drunkards path, double Irish Chain and a few other blocks that have been around forever. And more of a calico variety of fabrics.