Quilts Etc!: Rosie Werner

Friday, August 3, 2012

Embroidered Cross-Stitch Quilts

At our last study group meeting here in Minnesota we tried to cover the 1950-1970 era. We discovered it was a lot to cover in one day!
Rosie Werner, our resident kit quilt expert, stated that kits continued to be very popular during this period; applique florals as well as cross-stitch embroidery.
The X's were pre-stamped on the white background fabric and the quilting lines were also designated as is typical with kits. The embroidery thread was available as a separate item; often with more than one color palette.

This one from my collection is one of those rare textiles....it's dated on the back corner in green thread. Thank you, anonymous maker, for taking the time to stitch the date on the back. I would have loved to know your name and where you lived, too!

The color scheme surely fits with the date - remember avocado green and gold?

Wedding Ring Kit Quilt
by Bucilla

The workmanship is excellent. It's beautifully hand quilted. I got it a few years ago at the flea market price of $32! Crazy.

The cross-stitch embroidered kit quilt seems 'under-appreciated' by many collectors today - probably obvious by the price I paid. Machines for quilting and embroidery have become more sophisticated, put out nice end products and surely take less time, but I believe that as fine handwork becomes increasingly rare these items will become more appreciated and sought after. There are some lovely examples.

More vintage cross-stitched quilts:

The same settings used in pieced or appliqued quilts can be seen.

Central Medallion

Strippy

The block setting for this type of kit below is often printed on vertical sections which are then sewn together. Some companies did stamp individual blocks for embroidery, however.