Sunday, May 20, 2012

Antique Quilt Exhibits

The Rotary Club Antique Quilt exhibit was the highlight of my Paducah visit.  'Eagles, Stars & Bars', curated by Pat and Arlan Christ, was a wonderful selection of patriotic quilts spanning 120 years (c1830 thru c1950).  I've seen the Ocean Wave quilt, c1876, quilt in print, but what a thrill to stand in front of it.  The quilt is from Berks County, PA (dimensions 83 x 92).


















The seaweed background fabric in the Bethlehem Star quilt, c1840, was striking.  This quilt was collected in PA and has a front-to-back rolled binding on a double pink background (wouldn't you love to see the back!) - measures 100 x 104.

The Star Quilt, c1870 originated in PA.  It's hand pieced with a plain backing and back-to-front rolled binding (88 x 89).






Broken Star, c 1930, was collected in OH.  It is machined pieced with a plain backing (78 x 78).







Yesterday was Mother's Day for me.  I visited the Elizabeth Richardson Quilt Gallery (see sidebar 'Items of Interst in the Midwest') in Bowling Green, KY and then shopped at Whittles 'brick and mortar'!  I expected the quilts to be mid 20th century with a few 19th century examples.  The exhibit so exceeded my expectations!  If you're close by, be sure to stop.  No photos allowed, but check out the pics of the opening - http://www.flickr.com/photos/13303252@N06/6939451543/in/set-72157629112832264/.

11 comments:

Janet said...

My oh my! Thanks for the eye candy - these quilts are marvelous!!

Janet O. said...

Gorgeous vintage quilts!

Randy D. said...

What wonderful quilts! don't ya just wonder about their history, how they wound up where they are now?

Barb said...

what an awesome opportunity to see the Christ quilts. I've seen some here in NJ. They are incredible. The quilting is out of this world.
The rotary club was always a favorite of mine too - what the food truck outside this year? yum.
off to check out the other link.

Meredith said...

I saw the first quilt you are sharing with us in 2010 in PA. I took quite a few photos that day. Many of that quilt. That quilt is on my bucket list to make. I am glad you got to see the exhibition. Thanks for sharing your photos with us.

Lynn Dykstra said...

just spectacular!

antique quilter said...

OH my I just watched this video this morning and though oh how I wish I could see close up of some of these quilts, lucky you the quilting is to die for in the last quilt....
thanks for sharing
Kathie

MARCIE said...

These are so amazing! Your blog has my heart doing flip flops!

Lori said...

Beautiful quilts! The one time I was able to attend Paducah show I remember the rotary quilts the most!!

Heirlooms by Ashton House said...

What a treat to get to see these treasures. That Ocean Waves quilt is stunning, and I, too, love that seaweed background fabric on the Bethlehem Star quilt. Gorgeous!

Karen said...

The Oceans Wave quilt is very interesting. Lots of triangles. And the addition of the stars to the Ocean Waves design is something that is good.