Quilt for Mom

I recently visited my Mom and came across a project I finished in 1990. Thought you might like to see it…

I purchased the top the first time I attended Quilt Market back in 1988. I bought it, with the idea I would finish it as a thank you gift for Mom as she was the one that footed the bill for the trip. I wished I knew more about the quilt pattern and the person that made it.

When in doubt go to the experts I say! So, I consulted a friend in Kansas (Thanks Deb), who referenced the book Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, compiled by Barbara Brackman. According to her, the pattern is known by the following names:

Tree Quilt Pattern – Ohio farmer 1896
Cleveland Tulip – household journal
Carolina Lily – Oklahoma Farmer and Stockman 10/1/31 (my favorite)
Pineys – needlecraft 1936
Presidents Quilt – LAC #297 (though the acronym definition escapes us just now)

The blocks all seem to be hand pieced but the top is sewn together by machine. As to the quilt top’s age, the experts I work with here in the office seem to think it dates back to around 1950.

I cut my own quilting design stencil from a quilt pattern book I no longer have. I think it was by Pepper Cory. I used an all cotton batting as I like the well loved feeling of 1930′s quilts. It was easy to work on. I marked my quilting lines with a fine pencil and masking tape. Sure wish I’ d had some Inchie Ruler Tape back then! I enjoyed hand quilting, but after a few blocks I remember running out of steam. In fact, I ran out of steam several times during the course of this project, which is why it took me a couple of years to actually finish the entire quilt.

It was fun to see it again after all these years…I don’t know when or if I will pick up the quilting needle again any time soon, but I’m sure glad I once did and that I have this lovely quilt as a reminder.