AQ08: Nine-Patch Courthouse Steps Variation

Scrappy pink and black nine-patch with courthouse steps variation

Primary blocks are hand-stitched

Sashings are machine-pieced - no borders

79" x 79"

The reason it's taking me longer and longer to post the remaining antique tops in the mystery quilt bundle is because I'm unsuccessfully trying to identify the blocks.  This one has me stumped. And you would think with the age of the Internet it wouldn't be so hard!  No luck in my trusty reference books, either.

Lovely use of stripes without concern for direction.  Yet you can tell the care the quilter took in cutting them - they perfectly align with the seams.I love the gradient nature of the stripes - where they are positioned makes them look like a medium tone so your eye travels from the dark center out towards the light sashing.

What's bugging me is that I should know this pattern, right?  I've pulled out all my Civil War quilt books, sure that I'd find it htere.

We need to take a closer look, but, as far as I can see, there's no damage to this top.  This is a good candidate for completing first.  Now, to add a border or find some more pink to match the sashing for a thin finish?

Again, I find myself wondering how this top made it out into the world?  Did the quilter pass away?  Did she not like it?  Or is this how she envisioned it but couldn't finish it?  

AQ04: Appliqued 8-Pointed Stars

Scrappy 8-point stars appliqued to cream background squares

Applique by hand - squares joined by machine

77" x 91"

The latest antique quilt top is a beautiful, scrappy affair with hand-appliqued 8-pointed stars on a solid background. I love the mixing of the polka dots with strips and checks. 

So many thoughts running through my head! Look how crisp those points are! The seams must be tiny as there is no bulk at the points.  Each star lays perfectly flat.  Were these pieces cut using cardboard patterns or did a modern-day acrylic ruler ensure the precision? I really need to get more information on the provenance of these tops!

Did the original quilter intend this to be a picnic quilt or grace a spare bed?  The playful colors invite a nap in the grass, but the top has a lovely weight to it - the type you snuggle under on a crisp, Winter night.

As I pass the pile, I can't help but run my hand over these soft fabrics and smile.

AQ02: Blue with Pieced Sashing Quilt

Blue Solid Squares with Pieced Sashings

Hand and Machine Stitched

No noticeable tears or stains

72"x90"

Here is the next installment of the mystery quilt bundle. Again, I hesitated posting these as I feel I should know the name of the quilt pattern.

The "Patch Quilt" tag in the corner listed it for $45.00

Can't you just imagine some beautiful design hand quilted in these squares?

The pieced sashing is all hand pieced, but they are
sewn to the solid squares with a sewing machine.

I LOVE scrap quilts.  Can't you imagine this on the bed or the back of a couch?

I don't feel my candid snapshots do the tops justice, but they get progressively more beautiful as we unwrapped the bundle.  I'd love to see this one completed and given to Steve.

Mystery Quilt Package!

Do you like surprises? I love them! Especially when you discover it's a bundle of antique quilt tops! And one has a tag dating back to 1898!

I received a message from a friend this week that her parents were moving and had a bundle of tops. Her mother had acquired them from her boss's wife who used to collect them!

Steve and I picked them up tonight, but it's too late to unwrap them. So, to share in my anticipation, I will share them with you as we lay them out. Cross your fingers for fair weather this week!