Anita Shackelford
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Quilt Rescue - Princess Feather

2/25/2015

1 Comment

 
As I was thinking about how many antique quilts I've rescued or where to start writing about this adventure, I remembered this mid 19th century Princess Feather in the closet. As it turns out, this is the earliest rescue quilt I have documented. It seems like an ambitious first project, but I remember that it was very rewarding to work on.

I found this quilt at a fairgrounds flea market in 1984. As you will see, the applique was in very bad condition. The price was $25. I also remember that the seller wanted to know what I was going to do with it. She said if I was going to cut it up, she wouldn't sell it to me. I said, "I think I can save it..."

The body of the quilt, and the quilting stitches were in tact and the green applique fabric was faded, but still strong in most places. The red fabric had deteriorated, with only shreds of it remaining where the quilting lines held it in place.

I did not remove the red appliques. I traced each piece, one at a time, to make templates, and appliqued over top of the originals. Then I re-quilted, following the original lines, but not quilting through the back, so the maker's stitches are the only ones showing there.

This quilt has been shown several times, as part of my Red & Green collection. Some have asked why it's not finished after all these years. My reply is that it's a better teaching sample unfinished. But, now i wonder...should I continue?
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Quilt Rescue - Finishing Antique Tops

2/23/2015

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The Quilting:

Many people will argue that antique tops should only be hand quilted. Will you invest the time to do that? Or might it be OK to machine quilt an old top? This topic is the one that always brings the strongest opinions.
                       


How important is it to quilt in a style appropriate to the period of the piece? Should we use a traditional thread color, an invisible thread, for an antique look, or can we step away from tradition and allow the thread to make its own contemporary statement?

 

Quilting Style:
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19th Century quilting might include straight line (single, double, triple), grid, hanging diamonds, cables, feathers, fans, and clamshells.
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20th Century quilts would more likely be quilted by the piece, and include echoes around applique, feathers, flowers, and ribbons.


I hope you'll follow me on this Quilt Rescue journey as I show you some of the antique tops I've rescued, refreshed, restyled, and reinterpreted.


Anita 

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Collecting Antique Quilts

2/10/2015

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Collecting antique quilts has been a long-time passion of mine. I didn’t grow up with quilts in the house, but from an early age, I was attracted to them. I fell in love with their softness and their color and pattern. I continue to be charmed by the stories connected to antique quilts and their makers. I enjoy my small sampling of nineteenth century quilts and am always looking for that next wonderful piece to add to my collection.

There are many good reasons to consider collecting antique quilts. For years, people have known the comfort and beauty of displaying quilts in their home. Simple scrappy quilts can add charm to an antique or country-style decorating scheme. For others, quilts are a trendy decorator item, displayed on the wall as any other piece of fine art would be. Antique quilts come in a great variety of patterns and colors; with a little searching, you should be able to find one to suit your style.

Quilts also have value beyond simple decoration. Quilting instructors often have a collection of antique quilts for their own study and for examples to be used in the teaching of others. The patterns and techniques used in the last century can often inspire new work being done today. Collectors and dealers buy quilts for the investment potential that they hold. I have used this rationale a few times during the purchase of a more expensive piece, but my husband reminds me that it is only an investment if you sell it again.

A good place to begin looking for quilts may be right at home. Many people find that quilt collections begin quite innocently with quilts given to them by family or friends. Perhaps your relatives have quilts that have come down through the family. Has someone expressed an interest in caring for these pieces? Volunteer to document their history, have them appraised and store them in a safe place. Let friends know that you are interested. As surprising as it may seem, many people are not interested in old quilts and quite often they are willing to give them to someone who will care for them and enjoy them.

Some people begin a collection by acquiring quilts as they come along, with no particular plan. Garage sales, flea markets and auctions are sometimes a good source for finding old quilts. If you have the time to spend, and are interested in a variety of styles, you may begin or add to a collection in this way.

If you are a more serious collector, your quilts may have a specific focus; perhaps you are in love with red and green applique, scrappy turn of the century darks, or the light and airy look of the 1930's pastels. Antique dealers, especially those dealing in antique quilts, can be the best source of quilts for those collectors interested in specific styles. The price will be higher, but you may be able to find just what you want.

Prices for antique quilts have risen and fallen over the years. How can you begin collecting and be able to afford the quilts that you want? Study the market so that you know what you are looking at. Condition is probably the most important factor in determining the value of a quilt. Quilt appraisers figure the monetary value of a quilt based on its condition and known history. Good advice is to buy the best that you can afford. For many collectors, sentiment can also play a big part in the importance of a quilt. Buy what you like. As your collection grows you may decide to skip the purchase of several of lesser price in order to buy a more expensive one. Another idea is to trade up; sell off several of the less valuable pieces and use the money to purchase that really special piece.

If you are interested in collecting quilts, the first step is to start looking. Whatever your interests, you will be able to find quilts that will fit your budget, fill your needs and satisfy your soul.
 



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Some of my antique Red and Green quilts on exhibit at the museum in Paducah in 2008
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    Author

    Anita has a long background rooted in traditional handwork, and quiltmaking, which she still enjoys.


    But more often, these days, you'll find her digitizing patterns for the Statler Stitcher and other computerized longarm quilting machines. 
     
    Her summer days are spent in the garden and she loves finding new ways to prepare good veggie-based meals.

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