Textiles and the Triplett Sisters

The fourth bi-ennual Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival took place June 17-19, 2021. It was a momentous event for multiple reasons, primarily because it is the first major quilt show that took place in person in over a year, instead of virtually. It is also remarkable because it is organized and run by 13-16 quilt guilds working together (depending on the year.) Quilters seemed ecstatic to be re-connecting with each other in person, talking to friends, walking the vendor mall, and of course looking at lots of quilts. In the judged portion of the show, the perennial favorite Janet Stone won best of show, 1st place in applique with her quilt “Crazy for Ewe.” Janet Stone is a super talented quilter who has won just about every show in the nation, so it is appropriate for...

As I’ve been continuing my exploration of quilts that fit a Philly style of chintz quilts, I would be remiss if I wasn’t also noting some anomalies. (If you missed the earlier two blogs on the style, or just want to look at glorious chintz quilts again, here is the link to the first one. Here is the link to the second article.) It strikes me that there are several chintz quilts from New Jersey that fit the style and use the same fabric. Of course, Trenton New Jersey was about 30 miles away, so they could have gone shopping in Philly for the day. Or maybe relatives from PA participated in the quilt making. It might be better to define my regional style as PA/NJ. Also of note is the Southern Center Medallion Style chintz...

Three boat builders, a comedian and a vocalist go into a tavern…sounds like the start of a bad joke, but instead it is the unofficial start of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) in America in 1806. The official start is traced to the Baltimore Maryland lodge in 1819 and four quilts are associated with the specific lodge, made either to honor the member initiation or obtaining a high office in the lodge. It makes me wonder if more quilts associated with the IOOF Baltimore Lodge are out there. I started on the journey when I was asked by a colleague to help a family find a missing family quilt with the image of the Baltimore IOOF founder lodge in the center. I didn’t have a clue, but I posted the photo in the AQSG...

Recently an eagle captured a squirrel off the roof of my house and flew into a neighbor’s tree to eat his breakfast. (You never know where the inspiration for a blog article will appear, especially when concurrently a discussion about eagle fabric on a Facebook page took place…the blog theme was set.) I love eagles and even considered painting one for a quilt after Kay purchased a framed eagle textile for the Poos Collection. Instead, I began tracking eagle fabric in quilts. (Not applique or painted eagles in quilts which seems too numerous to track.) So far, I’ve been tracking four types of 19th century eagle fabric nicknamed: Wreath, floral spray aka festoon, seal, and centennial. Eagle on a floral spray (festoon) with a maroon background started this journey, with the production of the fabric starting...

One of the joys in quilting are the many techniques and choices to make. You can take a taste of all or focus on a few; it is whatever makes your heart sing as you create your art. I love what is commonly known as English Paper Piecing. (I’m still advocating for the name “Italian Paper Piecing” since the oldest known example of paper piecing is the Imprunetta cushion from the 15th century. If you’d like to see the pillow, here is a link to the blog about it.) So far, the Triplett Sisters have done 3 Block of the Months: 1856 Huguenot Friendship Quilt, The Wedding Quilt, and Bird in a Lace Cage. (We called them Block of the Month’s because we focus on a block every month, but everyone is encouraged to work at...