My husband and I like to go on nature walks when the weather is nice, especially in the fall when the leaves are so beautiful. Last week, I had my heart set on going to one of our favorite museum gardens, Winterthur. But as it turned out, when we woke up on Saturday morning the weather was cold and rainy and windy. Not good garden/walking weather at all! But we decided to go anyway, we figured with the weather being bad, we’d have the whole place to ourselves. Wrong! Turns out that a lot of people had purchased tickets ahead of time for the Downton Abbey costume exhibit- so it was crammed! It was a good day anyway- we re-visited the Downton Abbey exhibit (which we had seen back in the spring) and also saw a lovely textile exhibit full of historic quilt and needlework samples. If you are in the area (Northern Delaware/Southeastern PA/South Jersey), you should definitely stop by- I think you will really enjoy it! And best of all, they allow you to take photos in a lot of the exhibits, so you can bring lots of memories home with you :)
This is the Margaret Potts quilt. It has 85 different applique and signature blocks. Margaret worked on it for 7 years, between 1851 and 1858 in Pennsylvania. You probably can’t see in the photo that the blanket stitch used for the applique is really tiny- about 1/16″. I could just look at it and study it for hours.
Maybe you are thinking- I’d love to make a quilt like that. Guess what? You can, because the pattern is available here from the Baltimore Applique Society- and it’s 50% off! I wish I had the patience to work on something like this :) I think I’m going to order the pattern anyway- and put it in my “someday” pile (it’s a big pile, **sigh**.)
This embroidered bed cloth was probably made in New England, around 1800-1825.
We don’t do much darning anymore, but between 1790 and 1830, Anna Hofman created this sampler of darning stitches, which were used to repair damaged clothing and household linens.
In the 1700’s and early 1800’s, women’s dresses did not have pockets sewn in, so they tied these around their waist. These are embroidered with the date 1777:
Intricate whitework sampler by Jane Little, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1793:
The intricacy of all of this work fascinates me. I am a hurry-up-and-get-it-done kinda girl. I think I need to develop more patience! These samples remind me of what a unique artform stitching can be. Can you imagine making yourself pockets – POCKETS- with so much detail?! How incredible…
Thanks for sharing these wonderful treasures, Jacquelynne.
You’re welcome, Christine. Don’t you feel inspired to go sew something right now??
Fascinating! My husband’s family (Potts) came from Wales with William Penn on the ship named Shield. The ship carried the Quakers to North America and to the area that became Pennsylvania.
what amazing antique quilts and embroidery thank you for sharing with us, so glad the rain did not put you off your trip
I’m glad, too, Margaret. It would have been a shame to miss so much beautiful inspiration!
I wish I could order the patterns from the Baltimore Applique Society, but my budget doesn’t allow it. Lol. Maybe someday. It was such a pleasure just seeing the pics that you took. It sure has inspired me to get my embroidery supplies out. Thank you so much for sharing.
I live in Williamsburg, Virginia and we have Quilt presentations from time to time to time. I have so enjoyed your presentation. Have a happy day.
Rosemarie- There is certainly a lot of history in Williamsburg! It’s a lovely city, we haven’t been there for quite a few years, but I’d love to get back there sometime :)
Just beautiful, thank you for sharing!
I have done a modified “Margaret Potts Quilt”
You just have to pick out your favorite blocks and make your quilt your own way.
I will try to post a picture on facebook. You will notice that I embroidered the fruit of the spirit on several blocks.
So amazingly beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Such beautiful and detailed quilts. Thank you so much for sharing.
Just wow in awe of the beautiful and talent in these pictures thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing! I love Doing all of my Baltimore Album/album style applique. think I have that pattern. I will have to look through the whole cabinet full of patterns from all of the tracings they do. One of the people who do the tracings, just traced another and I just have to get that pattern to lol! I really really miss my get always each year. A retreat and classes doing nothing but Baltimore album for five days! I learned so much from so many. Including my sweet Elly Sienkiewicz. She is the Queen of applique and started the applique academy in Williamsburg VA. Etc. I’m so honored that she chose my work to be published in her books. She is very dear to my heart. Thank you Jacquelynne! This brought back all of my wonderful memories. These works of art are so amazing!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful historic needlework examples. The work that has gone into these and the quality of the workmanship can only be admired and envied. I like you are a get it done kind of girl and if it goes on too long it joins the UFO pile. I just love these pieces and the intricate work is beautiful.
Gorgeous pieces of ART!!! Wow!!! I’m not at that level and might not ever be. A lot of hard work went into them. So glad folks are still getting to enjoy them and they aren’t hidden away in a closet or chest!!
The needlework is so impressive !! Thank you for sharing!
What a privilege to see these in person