If you've signed up to receive the email newsletter from the International Quilt Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, you were treated to a photo of this glorious Civil War era antique quilt by an unknown maker yesterday:
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| 93.5 x 85.5 Quilt From IQM Collection, circa 1860-1880 |
Look at the masterful color and value placement and deployment of design principles in this quilt that was created by someone who definitely did not have a "design wall" and probably didn't have any formal art training, either. I love how those two opposite L-shaped brackets of darker blocks and the dark brown blocks surrounding the blue ones in the center create framing and structure similar to a medallion quilt for a one-block quilt that could have been dizzyingly busy with a random block placement. I love how the strips of pink blocks do the same thing, but with more subtlety. I love the glimmer of the teal center patches and the one block with the bright blue. I was immediately captivated by this quilt, but scratched my head by its designation by the museum as a "Nine Patch Variation" and the newsletter description stating that this quilt contained "small diamonds" in addition to squares, rectangles and triangle patches.
Hunh? See newsletter screenshot below:
When you click through to read the full information about this quilt on the IQM web site, they further identify the block as Brackman 2033, which I pulled up in my EQ8 Blockbase program; see screen shot below:
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| Sorry, Nope, Brackman 2033 Is Not the Right Block |
Okay, so you could make a SIMILAR quilt to this one with Brackman #2033 if you set it on point and alternated it with unequal 9 Patch blocks that had plain center squares, but you wouldn't be able to recreate those striking vertical and horizontal medallion-like bands that I love so much about this quilt. I could not find an identical block to the one in this quilt in any of my EQ8 block libraries, so I drafted it myself:
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| THIS is the 5 inch Block in the Antique Quilt |
Some people keep their brains sharp by playing the New York Times Crossword Puzzle; others of us like to play How Did They Make That Antique Quilt? So I continued playing in my software. Given the number of blocks in the quilt and the size of the finished quilt as stated on the museum's web site, I calculated that the blocks in the antique quilt are currently around 4.675" to 4.72". I decided that the blocks in the original quilt probably started out finishing at 5" and then the shrinkage of quilting and subsequent laundering reduced them to their current size. I went with 5" and instructed EQ8 to round my measurements to the nearest 1/16" for rotary cutting, but had I wanted to be super authentic I could have set my finished block size at 4.75" instead. Rounding is optional, by the way -- if this antique quilt came to me for repair and I needed to replace a single, badly damaged quilt block, I could size this block (or any block) in EQ8 to the exact odd dimensions of the block in the antique quilt and print out templates for creating a new replacement block that would be a perfect fit. Since there are over 10,000 patches in this quilt, I think rotary cutting and machine piecing is the way to go if I I ever actually make this quilt. I printed out the photo of the antique quilt inspiration and my rotary cutting chart and have set it aside for the time being. I have other projects in progress and waiting patiently to be started. But before stepping away, look at how busy and blech this quilt looks in the EQ8 software rendering where I just quickly repeated one block with no variety in fabrics, color or value to give that medallion effect:
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| EQ8 Mockup Using Identical Fabrics in Every Block |
Now look at the antique quilt again, incorporating so many different fabrics in such a thoughtful, deliberate layout. It's the mix of so many different fabrics that gives the antique quilt such sophistication and depth:
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| Antique Quilt, Same Size, Same Blocks, Many Fabrics |
See why I'm smitten? Meanwhile, I'm dragging along with getting my new studio unpacked and organized. Bernie put these pendant lights about my worktable island and now I'm much, MUCH happier with my lighting situation. Two lights instead of one helps reduce shadowing and I have 100 watt equivalent LED bulbs in each pendant so I should be able to clearly see ruler lines and hopefully avoid slicing into my fingers even when working late at night.
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| Let There Be Light!! |
I'm still procrastinating unpacking the boxes containing garment fabrics, interfacings, patterns, etc., as garment projects are the ones I would have looped my mom in on in the past. I also haven't figured out storage for my collection of AccuQuilt dies and cutting machines or my supply of quilt batting and books. Hopefully I'll make headway with some of that today. Last time I posted, these were my goals:
Looking forward:
- Continue unpacking and organizing sewing supplies
Unpack serger and set up in its cabinet- Install firmware update for B990 sewing machine
Finish setting up and testing the long arm quilting machine: realign leader centers, install side clamps, check tolerances etc.Find my FrankenWhiggish blocksand put them on the design wall- Prep the next Stonefields block for stitching
Hmmm... I guess I did get some of those things done! It's hard to realize I've made any progress at all when SO MUCH remains to be done! Looking at that list now, I see two easy things I can do right this minute. I did find my FrankenWhiggish project and I think I'll put them up on the design wall right after lunch. Not sure why I'm procrastinating installing the B990 sewing machine update because it's super quick and easy, so I'll try to get that done today, too. Hold me accountable, friends!! As for the Stonefields block and any other actual stitching, well, I still have quite a mess in my studio but I'm working my way through it.
I'm linking up today's post with my favorite linky parties:
MONDAY
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Monday Musings at Songbird Designs
TUESDAY
To-Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
THURSDAY
Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
FRIDAY
Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
Off the Wall Friday at Nina Marie Sayre
Beauty Pageant at From Bolt to Beauty
TGIFF Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday, rotates, schedule found here: TGIF Friday
SUNDAY
Frédérique at Quilting Patchwork Appliqué
Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts
Oh Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework
The antique quilt is beautiful! The maker did a wonderful job with the fabric distribution. Another quilt for the 'to make' list. Happy organizing!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw that International Quilt museum quilt in their newsletter, I immediately thought of you! I was delighted that you drafted a block! I agree, the coloring is what makes this quilt spectacular. Good on you for checking items off the list. Your studio is coming together. Pat yourself on the back and give your sweetie a hug. Life is great and unpacking will happen in its time!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the coloration of the antique quilt. It almost looks like it was assembled from the center outward, with each framing group of blocks having similar characteristics - the center blues, next brown backgrounds, next blue centers, next pink backgrounds, and continuing. The two L-shaped darker colorations do indeed make an interesting detail.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will be settled into your new sewing space soon. Looks like a wonderful place to create.
You made such a good point about the colors and the distribution of fabrics! That really is a remarkable quilt. I think you have done an amazing job with moving and unpacking, with all the renovation going on especially. Love the lights! i hope you are enjoying being back where you "belong". :)
ReplyDeleteThat antique quilt really is quite amazing! I do the same thing often - try to figure out how the block/quilt is actually put together. And fairly often I am able to draft a pattern for myself. My HS geometry teacher would be so proud.
ReplyDeletethat is a neat antique quilt I thought I got that newsletter but I didn't so I must have cancelled that one once when I was cancelling so many things as my email was overflowing with mail. Depending on how many dies you have it can be very hard coming up with storage solution - I wish I had a different method for mine - I need to come up with something else than what I have
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ReplyDeleteIf you look at this quilt at a 45 degree angle, it is the Barbara Brackman whole blocks and half blocks on point. She changed the center from a square in a square to 2 triangles to create the medallion effect.
ReplyDeleteHi, Wanda! Although it seems that way at first glance, if you zoom way in you can see that these blocks are straight set, not on point. Look at the seam lines; the maker didn't just turn the corner squares into HSTs where necessary to create the medallion effect. Those seams are there on every single block, even when the adjacent block uses the exact same fabric. It's especially obvious when you look at the four blocks in the center of the quilt. These are not 9 patch variations on point; this is one X block straight set through the whole quilt.This quilt would be easier to make today by alternating the two variable 9 patch blocks, setting them on point, and just planning for those additional seams on the block corners where needed to achieve the medallion effect, but it totally makes sense that a mid-19th century maker with no design wall would have been working through her scraps and making one complete block at a time, then laying all the blocks out at the end or sewing the quilt together from the center outward like a medallion instead of assembling it in rows at all. I think it's fascinating!
DeleteI love playing How Did She Make that Antique Quilt in my head, on paper, and/or in EQ8! I’ve done it based on old family photos even!
ReplyDeleteThe museum has a newsletter?!?! I must check that out. It's a lovely quilt whether it was made with your block version, or the on point 9-patch variation alternating with another version with hour glass in middle and HST opposite corners. Tho the alternating block version would need some serious planning and layout so it didn't end up a jumbled mess.
ReplyDeleteNice to see your design wall up with blocks on it. Good luck on the storage for the dies and garment stuff. Understandable that the garment things would be tough as it's what you'd have work with your Mom on. And the dies...they get heavy and bulky...I need a different solution too. I have a plan but it will need to wait a couple of months.
I love that quilt and your playing with it is so much fun. You are making nice progress on your sewing room, and nice when you can check it off. I think the week after next I am going to blow up my storage...take everything out and redo it....but that sounds scary so maybe not. Good luck with your progress..a little each day.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic quilt and I love that you were able to recreate that block in EQ. For me, those 5" blocks are beautiful, but I would make it 10"! LOL You are right quilty math will definitely help keep our minds sharp...and sometimes give us a headache! Great fun though. Would you please tell me where you found those baskets for your work table? Love the extra lighting as I find I need more and more as I age!! Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful quilt and so inspiring too! I love seeing the progress you're making in setting up your sewing room. I really love those lights! I'll have to show them to my husband and see what he can do. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2026/01/14/wednesday-wait-loss-467
Definitely not a 9 patch variation. Definitely not set on point but OH! MY! What a quilt!! Imagine doing this without a design wall, without rotary cutter, but scissors and maybe templates out of cardboard and to have a finish that is THAT straight!! With 360 blocks and a bazillion of pieces!! Blows me over. Completely blown over. Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed looking at this one A LOT. ;^)
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