Friday, July 29, 2016

Embroidered Crib Quilts Part II


hand quilted
Here are a few more of my embroidered crib quilts along with one recent purchase that I assume to be for a doll.
Of the quilts shown in this and the previous post, you can probably tell which ones were kits; certainly those with pre-quilted backgrounds would have been and the central motif styles as well.
The individual blocks such as the previous Scottie and the others with miscellaneous animal images were probably available commercial motifs which were set in various ways by individual makers.



The Maypole
Applique combined with embroidery

35 x 48

Here is one that stands out as different from the other examples in a couple of ways. It's a bit larger in size and many of the blocks include a name or initials indicating that several ladies contributed to the work. 
51" x 70"
Unusual, too, is the setting which groups the bigger motifs in the central portion with the blocks on three edges quite different; all with small motifs that are unsigned. Maybe the maker wanted the quilt to be bigger but in the interest of time, those simpler blocks served to extend the size.


The elaborate lettering style of the names and initials lends a personal and decorative  touch but sadly, no one thought to add a date. Redwork embroidery was popular around the turn of the 20th century so I would date this c. 1910.


And last but not least is this little single layer of plain white cotton embroidered with the adorable Teddy Bear images produced by Willliam Pinch and the Rainbow Quilt Block Company in the 1930's 
 It is bound with what appears to be a commercial bias tape. 


17" x 20"


and....

to see my blog on an embroidered top that I took apart and the
 'new' projects I made with the rescued blocks




Monday, July 25, 2016

Embroidered Crib Quilts Part I

hand quilted in simple grid
As promised in my last post, here are some embroidered vintage crib quilts from my collection. You'll recall that my sister noticed the cross-stitched outline of  the images in the little quilt I showed in my last blog.  She thought that was unusual and she was right. The stem or outline stitch is the most common technique used in thirteen examples in my collection. Most use two or more strands of six strand embroidery thread but some use a single twist, probably perle cotton, which has a different look.


 Here's part one. Click on any image for a closer look.
 You'll notice a theme.

30 x 34


Outline stitch in black





More animals:

33 x 40

tiny motifs!



simple grid hand quilted overall

 A prayer - with animals

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep  33 x 53


machine quilted through motifs


Bambi ...with  -you guessed it, animal friends

Pre-quilted background

Bambi  35 x 55


Hot Air Balloon with ..... bear and  bunny


 32 x 43
Pre-quilted back. The maker applied a fleece backing - probably to cover the embroidery threads.

No outlining - all cross-stitch



Celestial Bears

Motifs defined with short straight stitches
Hand quilted with gold thread

41 x 54


Early to Bed

 Cross-stitched except for outline stitches for the face and hands
Done on prequilted back

36 x 57


Scotties

35 x 51

Each with a different comment. This one, " Wake up"
Hand Quilted


Ring Around A Rosy
 33 x 44

Again all cross-stitching


I have a few more embroidered examples that are not animal themed. I'll post them at the end of the week and then move on to share with you a couple of recent "salvage" projects

and

someday, I'll feature my pieced and appliqued crib quilts....