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Pied Piper Quilt by Agnes V. Parker, circa 1942. MichiganMSUMuseum-ad0d5m9.
Image courtesy The Quilt Index.
Satin Applique Lamb Baby Quilt by May Eliza Glasgow Stratton circa 1948.
Image courtesy of The Quilt Index.

The anticipation and joy that comes with an expected baby often means a special blanket or quilt lovingly made by the awaiting mother. These charming little quilts show the care, detailed work and often give a nod to the popular styles of the times during which they were made. During the 1930s-1950s Hollywood movies featured glamorous women and home decor swathed in yards of satin, silk and ruffles, it was only natural that these luxurious fabrics would also be embraced when it came to the expected baby's bedding. And while many of these luxurious blankets are no longer around due to use, Dr. Marian Ann J. Montgomery shares a lovely quilt that is still in excellent condition from the collection of Clothing and Textiles.

Satin Baby Quilt
By Marian Ann J. Montgomery, Ph.D.,
Curator of Clothing and Textiles, the Museum of Texas Tech University

In preparation for the birth of Barbara Ann Quail in 1944, a beautiful white satin baby quilt was made. The remaining blue dots where the quilting lines were to go is a clear indication that it was made from a quilt kit and never washed. No one knew before Barbara was born if she would be a boy or a girl, so the kit was made up with blue motifs of Bambi and Thumper. The movie “Bambi” had been released in 1942 and was a popular theme for baby quilts at the time.

Barbara Ann Quail born 1944, photo courtesy of Barbara Quail Malone.

The all satin whole cloth type of quilt was likely influenced by the work of the Wilkinson Sisters of Ligonier, Indiana who endeavored to produce only the finest, most original whole cloth quilts which they sold to an elite clientele across the world, from 1908 through the 1940s. If you recall the 1930s era was one of sleek, smooth, elegant decoration—think silk satin evening gown. Everything was moving more quickly because of the machine age and interiors reflected this. Their wholecloth, shiny satin quilts fit perfectly with the décor of the era. Not surprisingly their idea was knocked off. The Museum holds a beautiful whole cloth from the time that is green on one side and pink on another.

Wilkinson Sisters Iona and Rosalie, circa 1915.
Image courtes of the Museum of Texas Tech University.

While I was reluctant to put the names Bambi and Thumper on the quilt when describing it, the donor called them that so the reference to the movie is much more than a curatorial guess. A pillow with Thumper on it was also part of the donation, but that was washed as all the quilting lines have been removed from it. These are wonderful treasures of how Texans prepared for the birth of babies in 1944. Further information on the Wilkinson sisters and their business was published in Uncoverings, the Journal of the American Quilt Study Group in 2002, “The Wilkinson Quilt Company: ‘America’s Original Makers of Fine Quilts,’” by Marilyn Goldman.


Wholecloth satin baby quilt appliqued with Bambi and Thumper, Gift of Barbara Malone, TTU-H1979-035-014.
Image courtesy of the Museum of Texas Tech University.

 


Detail of Bambi and Thumper from 1944 quilt made from a kit for Barbara Malone. 
Photographing the image resulted in a bluish cast to the image, but it is all white satin. 
Gift of Barbara Malone, TTU-H1979-035-014.
Image courtesy of the Museum of Texas Tech University.

 

Learn more about the Clothing and Textiles Collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University.

Click here for related articles from the Museum of Texas Tech University Textile Collections.

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In Korean culture a first birthday and the 60th birthday are especially important. Dating back to earlier times when babies succumbed to a number of maladies and the life expectancy was shorter, these two birthdays became a family time to really celebrate. The first birthday celebration is called a Dol or Doljanchi, and the highlight of the celebration is when the baby is placed in front of a group of items and everyone waits with bated breath to see what the baby chooses. Each item has a positive meaning, but it is thought that whatever the baby grabs first is a look into their future.

My oldest grandson grabbed the thread which means long life.

The younger grandson chose pencils which means he will be intelligent or artistic.

So, you ask what this all has to do with stitching, LOL...well, I am headed down to another 1st birthday celebration! My sister's granddaughter is turning one and having a "Dol" celebration and I decided to make something special. I have stitched up the sweetest Crabapple Hill Studio design using the color crayon technique and embroidery. You can see a demo of the crayon technique on Quilt Roadies May 8th video. But, I wanted to add the birthday girl's name to the stitchery. I printed off the size and font I wanted from my computer after testing a few. Then, using my Me Sew Light TableI was able to trace a perfect script of her name onto the project!

Once the stitching was completed I used fusible batting on the back and framed it! I love how this project turned out and am excited to see what this little girl chooses for her destiny!

Stay tuned and travel along with us on Quilt Roadies.

Click here for Anna's YouTube Channel.

Click here for Anna's blog.

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The National Quilt Museum just posted this on their Facebook page and we can't believe how small Pat Kuhns made these quilts. We're wondering what all the seams looked like...

Today is all about #SecretsMW for #MuseumWeek! Our Registrar gives us a behind the scenes look at several miniature bed quilts created by Pat Kuhns.

Pat drafted these foundation pieced patterns to a small scale so they would fit the miniature bed frames. Pat also made coordinating fitted sheets, flat sheets and pillows to complete the set. #nqmcollection

These are on exhibit & part of the Collection of the National Quilt Museum.

Click here to watch a short video about these miniature works of art.

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Pauline Salzman's quilt, Furrealism: Dali Has Gone to the Dogs, is based on a Salvadore Dali painting. It is also the winner of Best Wall Quilt at Quiltfest Lancaster 2019, a winner at the NQA 2013 show, an Honorable Mention winner in Houston 2014...we could go on and on...

In the Journal of the International Quilt Association - Quilts Summer 2015, she wrote about the quilt:

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CLICK HERE TO ENTER CONTEST ONLINE


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This lovely block has quite a few pieces. How many blocks would you make? Do you want to know what it's called? Play the game and find out.

 
 

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Need help with your cuddle quilt? Here are some tips from Alex and Teresa Coates of Shannon Fabrics. Once you see how easy they are to make, you'll want to make more than one.

Learn more from Teresa in Show 2410.

Cuddle Kits are still available in the TQS Shop.

See how easy it is to appliqué.

 

Learn how to self-bind.

 

Learn how to bind the traditional way.

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"I really wish I had taken more pictures of this quilt. Even in the close ups I couldn't figure out how it was planned and constructed. At first I thought that it was some hexies and some diamonds in between. Then I realized it is probably all hexies. It is very hard to tell which parts belong to which hexies. She broke many of the hexies into three diamonds and used the fabrics to create secondary designs. And how did she get straight lines on the star???? Amazing!"

Did we mention that this quilt is hand pieced, hand appliquéd (where's the appliqué??), and hand quilted?

Take a look at the detail pictures. Can you tell which hexies have which fabrics??? Can you figure out Hexagon II by Fumie Sasaki?

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Jill Kerttula recently re-posted a great tip for storing your quilts. It involves 2 shelf brackets, 1 closet rod (cut), plumber's pipes, and chain.

Jill originally wrote on her Facebook page:

In case you are looking for a good way to store/display your art quilts... Here is what I have done with 2 shelf brackets, 1 closet rod (cut), and plumber's pipes. The chain is for security, but may not be needed depending on how secure your brackets are.Jill knows a thing or two about quilting as well as she was one of two artists featured in the Special Exhibition Rising Stars at Houston 2018. The annual Rising Star exhibit  features the works of specially selected quilt artists who have developed and demonstrated substantial creative growth over recent time. Ricky sat down with her to talk about the honor and to look at some of her quilts.

Recently she updated the post to say:

I am reposting this, because it has turned out to be a great idea. I now not only use this one, but also a couple other bars in a pegboard to hang small pieces on. It makes them easy to get to and stores them hanging. The poles I used for the longest started to bend a bit after a while, so you might opt for metal, wood, or thicker pipes. I also bought the fittings for the ends, so no more duct tape!

 

(Photos: Jill Kerttula's Facebook page)


Jill knows a thing or two about quilting as well, as she was one of two artists featured in the Special Exhibition Rising Stars at Houston 2018. The annual Rising Star exhibit features the works of specially selected quilt artists who have developed and demonstrated substantial creative growth over recent time. Ricky sat down with her to talk about the honor and to look at some of her quilts.

 

 

 

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We all know the work of Elsie Campbell is exquisite, and this quilt is no exception. Inspired by the whole cloth quilts of the Henry F. DuPont collection at Winterthur, it took Elsie eight years to complete. It's not hard to see why Elegance (80" x 80") won Best Hand Workmanship - Traditional at Quiltfest Lancaster 2019.
 
Scroll down after the quilt and enjoy Elsie in this Go Tell it at the Quilt Show! interview by the Quilt Alliance.