Update On Wool Quilt ~ Possibly Amish?

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

I have been doing further research on the wool quilt posted in my previous writing. I have a strong conviction it could possibly be Amish although no hard data to support this at the moment. Reading and looking at photos of Amish quilts I tend to find mine does have a similarity. Certainly with it dark and bold graphics it leans very much towards an Amish quilt. Still, more research needs to be done. Thought, too, I would post a photo of the back of this quilt ~ a wonderful brown calico.

In this photo you can also see the black wool braid used to edge the quilt.

If anyone has any thoughts please leave me a comment.

Research in Progress ~ Details Of An Early Wool Quilt

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

This quilt intrigued me and at the time of purchase I asked about the history. Although very little information could be provided I do know it was originally purchased in the southwestern part of Wisconsin. So the quilt has laid folded on my bed only to wait until I have more time to do research.

It is a very bold and graphic quilt in a light purple (although it shows on the pink tone in this photo) with the blocks outlined in a tan/brown wool. Large black wool squares alternate with the pattern blocks. The back of the quilt is a whole cloth brown calico. The quilting is very fine running on a diagonal. A black wool twill tape finishes the edge . Thin batting between the layers. I date the quilt about 1880.

So I have decided to post two of the photos on my blog and place this query that perhaps someone might be able to provide more information. Comments are always welcome.

Pretty Bed Sheets, Pillowcases, Shams ~An Edwardian Trousseau

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

The beauty of elaborate and fine workmanship is so evident in the making of beautiful linens to be included in a daughter's trousseau. Making of these items might start at a daughter's early age so by the time of marriage her trousseau would include the needed requirements of setting up housekeeping.

I recently acquired a small collection of these textiles from a trousseau with a number of them remaining unused. Admiring the skill of needle, I also reflect on the mothers and grandmothers who lovingly bestowed their fanciwork to fill the trousseau of a daughter or granddaughter.

This beautiful Italan bolster sham displays a wide border of hand crochet lace accented with a wide row of drawn thread surrounded with two narrow rows of drawn work . A beautiful motto of cutwork and embroidery tells all "Good Day" .

To see more lovely estate and trousseau linens .

Open House ~ Time To Meet Old Friends

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

It was a beautiful spring day yesterday and a lovely morning to drive to Glendora, California to attend an open house at Country Village Antiques Shop. Glendora is a pretty town with a small town atmosphere situated just at base of the foothills. Glendora Avenue is the main street leading to the "village" as it is referred to and the "village" consist of about three or four blocks of small shops and a number of sidewalk cafes. It is also home to Country Village Antiques which has been in the same location now for 20 years. It is one of the few of the last havens in the Los Angeles area that still carry quality Americana country antiques. And I needed to be inspired so off I went.

It was their spring open house so the shop was filled with a wonderful array of furniture and smalls. It was not a disappointment as I quickly did see a small table so perfect for out door dining. In a nice old green paint ~ just too perfect!! I have been looking for awhile for a small table for additional sitting to fill a small area just outside my screen porch. I think I found it!

Not only was it fun seeing some great country pieces but it was also fun to chat with old friends. To spend a little time catching up on the happenings in their lives etc. and renewing friendships. Then it was time to say goodbye and be on my way.

If you are in the area and want to visit the address is 163 N. Glendora Avenue, Glendora, Ca. or you can view their web site at www.countryvillageantiques.com

Homespun Cloth ~ Fabric With A Past

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

Hand loomed homespun fabrics most generally refers to plain white linen. Linen grown from flax, harvested, spun into thread and then woven into cloth. Bleached white by repeat wetting and drying in the sun. Although it was not uncommon for dyes to be made from roots or plants to add color to the thread. Most common color combination was blue and white.

In rural America homespun cloth was used for household linens including bedding as well as making of sturdy clothing. The time span of these fabrics were from the 18th century to the early 1900's.

With the invention of the cotton gin in 1793 the spinning of cotton became less labor intensive and by the early 1800's factory spun cotton became readily available. By the mid century it was more difficult for hand weavers to compete as factory made goods were cheaper to produce.

I have often been asked how does one tell if a piece is hand woven? Hand woven cloth generally has a more irregular edge than factory woven cloth. Colored factory woven pieces more often than not will have loose threads at the selvage, from the color change, but will still have a straight edge. I have also read factory made fabrics from the mid 19th century were 30" wide while late 1800's / early 1900's fabrics most generally are 24" to 27" wide. Hand loom cloth might be 39 " to 40" wide or up to 80" wide . This wider width more than likely attributed to a mechanical shuttle throwers on a loom. Most generally I have found homespun bedding center seamed with each width of cloth about 39" wide.

A linen homespun towel with hand fringe. Notice the irregular selvage edge.

A cotton red and white checked factory homespun fabric from the late Victorian / early 1900's. The selvage edge is straight and does show some loose threads at the edge of the color change.

All factory homespun cotton fabrics in blue and white. Notice the variation of the checks and coloring of the fabrics. All date late Victorian or early 1900's.

For more details please visit here