Textiles and the Triplett Sisters

While at the recent AQSG Seminar, the Poos Collection added a new acquisition. At this point with the collection as large as it is, there must be a specific reason to add a quilt to the collection. In this case, there were three solid reasons, plus bonuses. First, the quilt had a bird print in it. As I’ve mentioned before, if it has a bird in it, it is likely coming home. This fabric is what is known as a “Portuguese Print” during the 19th century which came to mean a bright furnishing fabric with wide stripes usually floral but alternating with birds or other wonders. Second the quilt had a center medallion known as Trophy of Arms with a tan background, which the Poos Collection didn’t have. The medallion is #3 in the Waldvogel Chintz...

My sister has just completed her version of the Triplett Sisters 1856 Huguenot Friendship Quilt. Since she already has the original antique quilt in her collection, she wanted to make her version completely different, and she decided to add cute applique squirrels into the corners. I love squirrels and can’t help but think of the dog from the movie who is easily distracted by SQUIRREL! It did make me wonder when squirrels first started appearing on quilts. Afterall, I’ve researched the presence of giraffes, (here is the link to that blog article) so why not squirrels? Squirrels have appeared on quilts via applique, embroidery, pieced, printed, hand painted or inked. Pick your technique and you can probably find one. Several crazy quilts have squirrels embroidered into the quilt, but those are late 19th century. So, not...

I’ve been researching Pennsylvania/New Jersey Chintz quilts to see if there is a basis for a regional quilt style theory. (If you’d like to re-read, follow the link to article 1, article 2, article 3). I’ve also been researching the origination of Anne Varley reproduction fabric, one of my favorite Dutch Heritage fabrics in a Quaker Woman's Sewing Suitcase. (Here is the link to check out that article.) So, imagine my surprise, joy, and pleasure in finding one of the original fabrics in a chintz quilt! The style of the chintz quilt fits the regional style I’ve been studying. So, when I found the block with the Anne Varley fabric which was found in a Quaker sewing collection…I was thrilled to learn that the block made by Mary Ann Bond was also a Quaker woman, but...

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...