Mosaic Patchwork - Not the Paper Piecing of Today

I recently had the good fortune to see Elegant Geometry;  American and British Mosaic Patchwork Quilts at the IQSG (International Quilt Study Center) in Lincoln, Nebraska - just before the end of its run.
No flash photography is allowed so the few photos I am posting appear 'yellowed' compared to the real quilts.


I was especially drawn to this border.  Familiar? On my last post you saw the pieced 'tall triangles' border I am doing on one of my projects. Upon close inspection I discovered that these triangles are appliqued with a whip-stitch onto a plain background!  Hmm. Would that have been easier?
I'm sorry I don't have a close-up that captures this detail but click here to see the full quilt dated 1818. It's a stunner. (Sixth quilt)

These are the tiniest hexagons I've ever seen - measuring less than 1/4" on a side.
I asked an innocent bystander to help me show the scale!










Take a look at the amazing variety of cotton prints in these close-ups...all from one quilt.
 I'd like a fat quarter of each, please!

 

The good news is....YOU can see all of the quilts in the exhibit! All but one are part of their permanent collection. Click here. From this page you can order the catalog, have access to the gallery notes and accompanying lecture.

If you are not familiar with the concept of English Paper Piecing it involves basting fabric to paper shapes and whip-stitching the edges together. For more specific details on the method click here.


Hexagons are not the only shape pieced using this English method but perhaps they are the shape we most often associate with it today. Triangles, squares and other shapes were also pieced this way.
The informative exhibit catalog reminds us of this  fact and I quote from the concluding paragraph, "the technique has been traced back through three centuries to eighteenth-century domestic needlework.....and has had a seminal influence on the development of the patchwork tradition" in both the United States and the UK. The catalog is well done with excellent photos including close-ups. It is available through the gift shop here.




The study center has continual exhibits. Free audio devices allow you to devote full attention to viewing each quilt while listening to information about it.

To learn more about the study center and all it has to offer, visit their website(IQSG). If you are anywhere in the vicinity it is definitely worth a stop!

By the way, next fall the AQSG seminar will be held in Lincoln !

October 4-8 

Whirlwind Seminar - AQSG (Better Late than Never)

In September I attended my seventh AQSG seminar. It was held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey this year. I meant to post about it sooner but ... things sort of got away from me this fall.
I took four study centers and learned alot about regional characteristics in quilts of New York and New Jersey, Pennsylvania German bed covers (especially woven coverlets) and crib quilts. Our keynote speaker talked about Japanese quilts. Quite a smorgasbord ...........here's a small taste.

Many applique motifs were inspired by botanical forms and this design, documented almost exclusively from New York, may be related to the sassafras plant.  Notice the tree borders on both which are also associated with New York.

Crib quilts from the 19th century are relatively rare and therefore sought after ( and the market price reflects that scarcity).  These beauties are both c. 1830.These are the earliest examples I have had the opportunity to see.  Crib quilts at that time were made with the same fabrics and in the same style as quilts for larger beds. 

Crib and doll quilts, especially before 1900, are very collectible.

I am especially fond of the blue and white woven coverlets ...

...but who can resist a crib sized example - quite rare according to Trish Herr, the presenter. Multi-colored with eagles, roses and stars it is dated 1834.

Some characteristics of quilts from New Jersey are pieced blocks set on the diagonal with sashing, infrequent use of light background or setting squares and simple quilting. Taught by Rachel Cochran and Barbara Schaffer who were two of the women who wrote New Jersey Quilts 1777 - 1950 they used the term "Dark and Diagonal".

The Pennsylvania German aesthetic is unmistakable.  This table at  the Welcome Reception is a striking example.

A double blue print is used as the background color of the quilt below. Pink, green, red, orange, yellow... a colleague once remarked of the PA 'Dutch' look, "too much is never enough!"

If you are serious about quilt history think about supporting AQSG  by becoming a member and be sure to mark your calendars for Oct 3-7, 2012 for the next seminar to be held in Lincoln, Nebraska, home of the International Quilt Study Center.

You will not regret it!