Some History of Bonneted Children

How many of you viewed this quilt when it went up for auction earlier this year? It sold for an astounding amount for a Sunbonnet Sue, in my opinion. But it truly is one very interesting and unique quilt due to its extensive embroidery. It would make for a great pattern series.

Since I have two in my collection that are somewhat similar but much simpler (one even rather primitive due to the "hammerhead" style of Sue ), I have tried tracking down possible pattern sources of this style.

In the photo below of the next SBS quilt, the embroidery is very simple but the fabrics in the dresses are very colorful and varied.

Don't you just love that "dainty" hand and arm!"

Betty J. Hagerman Book

One of the most likely influences to me is L-3 seen on page 27 of Betty J. Hagerman's 1979 book A Meeting of the Sunbonnet Children because it shows an embroidered fence in the background.

You can usually easily find a used copy of Hagerman's book via the Internet. I highly recommend it.

Wonky "Hatchet-head" Sue

My other quilt that only somewhat resembles the quilt in the recent InvaluableAuction is actually no longer a quilt with three layers. It is now only a top but shows that one time it was tied. It needs a good pressing but no time for that right now. I'll press it before the exhibit goes up October 5th. See the photos below.

Another one of my funky SBS quilts

The hat in this SBS top (once a tied quilt) rather resembles several of the SBS patterns on pages 46 & 47 in A Meeting of the Sunbonnet Children written by Betty Hagerman as mentioned earlier.

Unfortunately, there is no last name on what is written on this separated quilt top but at least someone thought to make a stab at labeling it for the next generation. Obviously, by analyzing the fabrics, you can tell the top was made well before 1990.

The heavy red fringe on this block ran when someone laundered it.

Click here to see some more of my wacky SBS quilts and tops.

US Postage Stamps & Antique Cars

Stamp Collecting Came Before Quilt Collecting

I recently stumbled upon a quilt that is what I call a Sampler Quilt of US Postage Stamps.  Now I am trying to track down the source of the pattern. Going down such research rabbit holes is what my life is all about. (At least postage stamps are easier to identify since they usually contain the name of the issuing country and sometimes the year, too.)

Does anyone recognize this pattern? 

My guess is that the above quilt is a high-end import.

Speaking of Antique Cars 

Speaking of antique cars on postage stamps, here is a quilt in my collection with the antique cars as the quilt's sole theme.  It came out of an estate in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Love, love applique!  Still trying to track this pattern source, too. I'm pretty certain it was a commercial pattern, maybe from the 1940s or 50s.

And some detail photos of the three cars.

Thanks for dropping by!

Drop by again sometime!

2020 Update:  Found it finally! Yes, the above was a commercial quilt kit with pattern!   It was a Lee Ward's kit. 

Quilting Quiz from PBS

   

Here is a quiz about Quilting 

that I first stumbled across in 2010. 

What questions would you 

like to see added to such a quiz?

Quilting Quiz - http://www.pbs.org/americaquilts/fun/index.html


1. What do the following refer to: Chain, Feather, Herringbone, Outline?

  Quiltmaking patterns
  Appliqué patterns in popular use from the 1840s - 1860s
  Stitches found on Crazy Quilts


2. Foundation blocks are found in which group of patterns?

  Log Cabin, Pineapple, Press Piecing
  Dresden Plate, Sun Bonnet Sue, Rose of Sharon
  School House, Star of Bethlehem, Ocean Waves


3. What form of quilting originates in Laos?

  Molos
  Pan Dau
  Trapunto
  Sashiko
  Palampores


4. Who is the inventor of the sewing machine?

  Elias Howe
  Isaac Singer
  Richard Sears


5. Which term does not belong?

  Garden Maze
  Lattice
  Binding
  Sashing


6. Which of the following quilt patterns is not thought of as in vogue in the 1930s?

  Drunkard's Path
  Grandmother's Flower Garden
  Double Wedding Ring
  Dresden Plate


7. For what is the International Quilt Association known?

  Honoring a quilter every year who has made a difference in the quilting world
  Sponsoring the World's Largest Quilt Show
  Holding an annual conference in which over 250 classes and lectures are offered
  All of the above


8. What do the following have in common: Echo, Stipple, Meander, Crosshatch?

  Quiltmaking techniques
  Quilting patterns
  Methods of joining patchwork


9. Where might one find the Language of Flowers?

  Baltimore Album Quilts
  Crazy Quilts
  Appliqué Quilts
  All of the above


10. What innovation in quilting was introduced at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia?

  The Crazy Quilt
  The first electric iron
  Rotary Cutters


11. What do these things have in common: Hand of Friendship, Duck's Foot in the Mud, Bear's Paw?

  They are the names of square dance movements.
  They are the titles of Victorian children's stories.
  They are different names for the same patchwork pattern.
  They were popular appliqué patterns during the late 1800s.


12. What are the following names: Turkey Red, Indigo Blue, Double Pink, Nile Green?

  Crayola crayon colors
  Watercolor paint colors
  Rainbow Brite's friends
  Fabric colors


13. What characterizes a "summer spread?"

  light colors
  no backing
  no batting
  smaller than bed quilts, made to be used as picnic cloths


14. What do the following have in common: Baby Block, Thousand Pyramids, Trip Around the World?

  Children's toys/games
  Patterns of Asian origin
  One-patch patchwork patterns


15. Which quiltmaking technique has always been done by machine?

  Seminole Patchwork
  Prairie Points
  Miniature Quilts


16. What characteristics are associated with Folk Art Quilts?

  They are made by people who have had no artistic training.
  They are made for visual impact, not quiltmaking excellence.
  They have a spontaneity about them, often containing whimsical elements.
  They have crudely shaped design elements.


17. What do the following have in common: Diamond in the Square, Bars, Center Square?

  Types of cookies
  Amish quilt patterns
  Square-dancing formations
  All of the above


18. What do the following have in common: Charm Quilts, Scrap Quilts, Postage Stamp Quilts?

  Popular quilt styles in the early 1900s
  Patterns were obtained through mail order sources
  Quilts that used a wide variety of fabrics
  Quilts that were tied as opposed to quilted


19. Which of the following is created by a series of fabric folds to make an origami-type pattern?

  Attic Window
  Cathedral Window
  Doves in the Window


20. What are the following: Tapestry, Crewel, Upholstery, Quilting?

  Types of yarn
  Types of fabric
  Types of needles
  Types of scissors


21. Which term does not belong?

  Border
  Prairie Point
  Piping
  Scallop


22. What are the following: Bodkin, Boot Spur, Emery Pouch?

  Articles of clothing
  Sewing tools
  Quilting Patterns


23. Where is "Quilt City, USA"?

  Houston, Texas
  Lowell, Mass.
  Kutztown, Pa.
  Paducah, Ky.

A recent addition to my collection said to be Cuban made. Each block is signed with a first name and three have the date of 1996 stitched on them as well.  Any of my readers familiar with Cuban needlework?   More photos on my next blog post.