I came across this quilt recently in somebody's vacation snapshots, taken in a small Texas museum: a quilt behind a fossil case (probably fading away in the light.) What a strange pattern. But you know it could be a Civil War quilt. It's hard to tell the age of a quilt from a photo and the fabrics all seem to be solids. Very little help. But there is nothing to say that it's not 1860-1900.
And the block---is that four shields?
Pieced and appliqued?
Well I didn't think much more about it for a day or two
And then I came across this image on a Civil War envelope. I'd seen dozens of Union envelopes from the War, but never a Confederate envelope. I had never noticed "The Emblem of the South," a shield with three stripes just like the first flags.
So I looked at my files of Confederate quilts (a very small file). Here's the same shield in Varina Davis's post-war memorial quilt.
Another envelope---this a Virginia symbol
Union shields (these two are from Union quilts) have more stripes.
That Texas quilt needs better documentation and conservation.
See more about Varina Davis's quilt here:
And more about the star border here at my blog post here
Thank you so much for the links, Barbara! On the MOC's quilt site, I found the Shelton Eight Pointed Star Quilt and I'm in love with the setting. I am just about to start my next hand-piecing project, and I was wanting to do the 8-pointed star. This setting is wonderful, using a striped fabric for the sashings! I love it, and it is now my inspiration for my next project! Thanks a bunch!
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to find that quilt and rescue it right away. Love the layout and the whole look of it. It needs to be treated better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and unique piece.
ReplyDeleteI am still working on fabrics for my davis daughters, no good creams, so I am thinking of trying it with some tickings that I have, mixed with tea stain solids.
Debbie
Where in Texas is the museum? I live in Fort Worth - I'd love to see it.
ReplyDeleteTerri
Thank you for sharing Barbara! That old quilt is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in the location of the Texas quilt as well. would love to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful quilt, would love to know exactly where it is and more about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this information. It is an intriguing little quilt and a unique way to set the blocks.
ReplyDelete