Nine Blocks: Same Nine Blocks

From Freeman's Auctions

How were quilt patterns passed around in the 19th century?

One clue is in this sampler, which is quite a bit

like the sampler below. Both are from online auctions

over the past few years

From eBay seller Gurley

Once I find a pair of twins I often notice more,

and in the case of this nine block sampler---several more

Source?

Very much like the one at the top of the page.

Anita Schorsch pictured this in her book

Plain & Fancy: Country Quilts of the Pennsylvania Germans.

Collector Sara McLane noticed the similarity to

one she owns.

The arrangement varies in each as does the border

but the central block is remarkably consistent.

It's not a common design. We could describe it

as roses with reverse applique around a central

flower and buds, arranged in four-way mirror-image symmetry,

the formal structure often seen in American appliques.

From Sara McLane's

The other blocks are usually based on different symmetries.

This floral sprawls in a more naturalistic manner.

The blocks with two-way symmetry frame the center block

in rather graceful fashion making a well-designed layout for the nine blocks.

Another slashed rose with a slashed cockscomb &

reverse applique---this one from the eBay seller. 

Notice the heavy embroidery around

this block. It seems to be a late-19th-century example

by the fabrics and multi-strip border.

And then there are the baskets.

I mentioned that there are clues in these coincidental quilts

but how can we read them?

The words well-designed seems one clue. I'm guessing that some

talented woman somewhere sold either the patterns or the blocks or

the kits to make into blocks. She might have taught needlework

or had a pattern business....

Like the designers of the high-style blocks in Baltimore albums

in which we see the same blocks in the same fabrics made by

various seamstresses.

A Baltimore album in the collection of the International

Quilt Study Center and Museum dated 1847.

#2005_056_0001

From the quilt at the top of the page.

From a BAQ in Joyce Gross's collection at

the Briscoe Center at the University of Texas.