quiltersmuse.com Blog

A reader has sent us a photo of a crazy quilt block in which acidic ink has rotted the fabric that previously featured a saying. The words that seem to be in place are “I’ll be married” – (“some fine day”)?? The block appears to have the image of man and some daisies.

By any chance, does anyone have this same motif and saying on another crazy quilt? The reader would like to know how the entire poem or saying reads. Thanks for any help!

Pat

When a person doesn’t know the answer to a question, it is always best to ask someone who might know. Sometimes, one gets lucky. Such was the case with the “1930s” Turtle quilt that was advertised and sold as such. When I asked others who are interested in quilt history to take a look at the blocks on my website, there were several clues that came to light, proving that the quilt could not have been made as early as stated.

The first clue was the antenna on the television set, and even the presence of the television, at all. By all accounts, TVs with rabbit ears were not around until after WWII, and until that time, there were not many television shows on the air, even if a person did own a TV.

The second clue was the color of some of the embroidery threads, like turquoise, that were a much later “issue” of the DMC thread company.

When someone found an eBay listing for a piece of fabric with all of the designs that could be painted or embroidered, and that were attributed to the Tri Chem Company, 1982, the mystery was solved.

I am always happy to learn the truth about provenance, and that is why I asked the questions that I did. We cannot be experts in every area of quilting and embroidery, nor do we have to be to enjoy the work of women (and men) that has preceded our own efforts. I have updated the online file.
As Mrs. Clinton once said, “Sometimes, it takes a village.” Thanks to all who helped!
Have a lovely evening,

Pat

Whenever I go into an antiques shop, part of the excitement is never knowing what treasure might be lurking there. On one particular day, when I entered a shop, the shopkeeper asked if I was looking for anything in particular. I said that I like Crazy Quilts. She showed me an extraordinary crazy quilt that was beyond my pocketbook that day, and I wasn’t sure I liked it enough to bring home, at that price, or at any price!

She told us that there were “small pieces” in the basement, so hopeful, without being too much so, we went to have a look-see.

The first item of significance that I had seen all day was a large quilt block. It had been hacked off from a larger crazy quilt, in a not too exacting manner, I might add. However, the surface had enough interesting composite stitches of embroidery, and enchanting fabrics and elements, I decided on the spot that it had to come home with me, in spite of a price that I deemed too high, at the time.

The selling point for me is the silk commemorative ribbon that showed the image of a man. Who? I didn’t know at the time. Using the words on the ribbon, I began to investigate. The result is a very lengthy article that was published in The Quilter magazine about six years ago.

For those who missed the article, I am offering it to you on the website, along with additions that the magazine did not have room to provide. I hope that you enjoy reading all about the Louisiana Crazy Quilt Block and its connections to the Cotton Centennial Exposition of 1884-85. I have had a lot of fun in studying the antique block, and in re-creating a block with some similar features. Enjoy!

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/louisiana_crazy_quilt_block.htm

Patricia Cummings