Nova Scotia Quilts

Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada

Archive for the ‘Doublestencil/Spartex’ Category

Smaller Wholecloth Quilt Kits plus a recurring question

August 28th, 2011

It’s Sunday morning here on the east coast of Canada and the leading edges of Irene brought rain last evening and the storm will be starting in earnest later this afternoon. We don’t know yet how severe the weather will be but I’ve run off water in case my pump can’t do it in a power outage and will go pick up some more bread and tinned goods shortly. We had a category 2 come ashore in Halifax a few years ago and as a child living there there I also experienced several pretty significant ones. All in all though the two nor’easters we weathered last winter did a great deal more damage than most hurricanes do this far north. Watch me have to eat my words! I hope not!

40x54 Anchors Aweigh by Holice Turnbow for Benartex

I’ve been talking to a lot of quilters lately who want to do a wholecloth quilt and I always encourage them to give it a try. I find the activity calming and helpful in getting me centred and more productive and it is certainly conducive to improving handquilting skills.

If you haven’t tried a wholecloth before, my tip to you is to go for a smaller quilt to start – then you can move on to a larger one later.

The above wholecloth kit is one I sold to a customer recently, and because she lives in an area that has no quilt shop within 75 miles, I also sold her the 100% Quilter’s Dream request weight batting and threw in a high quality spool of YLI off white quilting thread – she only needs a needle and she’s good to go – the smaller kits come complete with matching backing and enough fabric beyond the design to supply binding. If you too have trouble in sourcing Quilter’s Dream at the Request weight, since I have a bolt of it in stock I can supply you, too.

I still have one of these lovely kits left:

BENARTEX ANCHORS AWEIGH BY HOLICE TURNBOW 40×54 complete with binding and backing PRICE $120USD + $20USD Shipping = $140USD

40x40 traditional feathered pineapple by Holice Turnbow for Benartex

A classic treasure that I currently have in stock: this feathered pineapple design by Holice Turnbow has been a favourite among wholecloth quiltmakers for 200 years, and again is complete with backing and binding in an eggshell or ecru colour.

PRICE: Benartex Feathered Pineapple wholecloth quilt kit,40×40 $120USD + $20USD Shipping = $140USD

Pennsylvania Folk Art II 43x47 as wallhanging - choice to do applique or just wholecloth

Above is the smaller version of the Doublestencil Pennsylvania Folk Art quilt kit – it is the one hanging on the wall behind the bed – and measures 43×47. I actually have the queen sized one as well. These kits are very versatile, offering you a choice of doing the quilt using the applique pieces provided, or you may choose to use your own fabric to suit your colour scheme, or you may decide to simply do the quilt without applique, thus producing a classic wholecloth quilt.

PRICE: Doublestencil Pennsylvania Folk Art II 43×47 $120USD + $20USD Shipping = $140USD

Doublestencil Pennsylvania Folk Art II queen $250USD + $30USD = $280USD

If you wish to purchase any of the above classic kits, get in touch with me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to put a hold on your choice, as these classic kits are scarce now and increasingly difficult to source.

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Now to some tips about these quilts and in particular a response to a recurring query I’ve had lately about removing the coloured inked lines on both wholecloth kits and the classic vintage applique and cross stitch quilt kits that I sell.

Many quilters as they work on these kits tend to become obsessed with the question of whether they will be able to remove the ‘wash-out’ lines printed on their kits. Some to the point where they start spot treating to see if they can and invariably such spot treating doesn’t work, and leads to more anxiety.

I want to reassure you that once the quilt kit is completed and quilted, and then properly laundered using an oxyclean washing agent all or almost all the lines will disappear on first wash. You MUST not use the coloured thick and gloppy detergent based products you use for your regular washes.

Set your machine to gentle and do a soak of about 15 minutes first, agitate on gentle for just a few minutes, rinse out twice and then transfer, supporting the weight of the wet quilt in your arms, to the dryer on a warm and gentle cycle ending when the quilt is damp dry – dry on a covered porch or over your shower rail in the bathroom and keep turning and re-folding the quilt until all portions are completely dry. On one occasion I was able to significantly lighten a blood stain the previous owner had put on the partially finished work and in my experience the blue lines have always come out too.

a small wholecloth quilt completed for a customer

For newbies, I offer a service of support, ideas and tips and I know you will be absolutely enchanted by your experience with wholecloth quilting techniques. Above is a shot I took of a customer’s small wholecloth “American Star” while I was quilting it for her. She was so pleased that she has ordered a queen sized one as well!

Just think how lovely any of the smaller quilts would look as the christening blanket of that new grandchild!! Also keep in mind that since these quilts are eminently washable, they make the ideal baby quilt and also a lovely quilt to put down on the floor or the ground to protect your sweet baby! These are a very practical luxury!!!

Posted in Doublestencil/Spartex, Holice Turnbow, doublestencil, heirlooms, wholecloth |

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The Traditional Wholecloth Quilt – kits to create an heirloom

July 29th, 2011

Recently I’ve had some inquiries about traditional wholecloth quilt kits, and at the same time I’ve been completing a new inventory of kits I currently have in stock.

It turns out I haven’t really promoted these lovely kits for several years now, and have quite a few in stock at the moment. Below I will feature two Benartex kit designs that I have in stock…

Benartex - Anchors Aweigh by Holice Turnbow 40x54, includes back and binding

Above is the lovely “Anchors Aweigh” crib or youth bed size wholecloth quilt kit by Holice Turnbow – this is such a versatile size for a quilt – it makes up fairly quickly, can be used in many settings and because it is an off-white or ecru fits well into many decorating schemes and is very easy to wash and keep fresh.

PRICE: Benartex “Anchors Aweigh” by Holice Turnbow 40×54 includes backing and binding for $115USD+$15shipping= $130USD

It’s my understanding that the Holice Turnbow designed kits by Benartex are still available, if somewhat scarce, but I’ve not found any indication that the Spartex/Doublestencil kits are still being made. Occasionally one will turn up in the secondary market. My next post – next week I hope will feature some of these kits.

The machinery to produce the very wide printed tops is now vintage if not antique and it has become increasingly difficult to find or make parts for this machinery as it wears out.

Benartex - wholecloth - feathered pineapple - available 86x106 and 40x40

Above is a picture taken from the front of the Benartex package, showing the “Feathered Pineapple” design – a classic 19th century design I currently have available in both a king/queen size at 86×106 and also in a baby size at 40×40 - the smaller size would make a luxurious tabletopper for afternoon tea and of course would look lovely over the back of a sofa, thrown over a cupboard door or as a wallhanging. Picture it enhancing a christening robe for a darling baby!

PRICE: Feathered Pineapple king/queen 86×106 $250USD+$20 shipping=$270USD

Feathered Pineapple baby size 40×40 comes with backing and binding $115USD+$15shipping=$130USD

Keep in mind that I’ll be happy to provide tips to help you succeed in making yourself a lovely heirloom quilt that is true to 19th century traditions, and can also source wide backing material and the Quilter’s Dream cotton batting to ensure your quilt drapes beautifully. Contact me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to discuss shipping one of these scarce and lovely kits to you!

Enjoy this long weekend coming up – summer is passing all too soon! Next week I will feature more wholecloth quilt kits, this time by Spartex/Doublestencil!

Best regards ~ Janet

Posted in 19th century quilts, About Me, Benartex wholecloth quilt kits, Doublestencil/Spartex, Holice Turnbow Benartex wholecloth quilt kit feathered pineapple, Spartex/Doublestencil American Heritage Quilt Collection, antique and vintage quilt kits, antique quilts, crib or wallhanging size, customer service, doublestencil/spartex american collection smithsonian quilt kits, heirlooms, queen sized quilt, quilt kits, traditional quilting patterns, wholecloth |

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HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENT

November 10th, 2008

I’m now switching from summer hours to a series of Holiday Season Open House events. If you wish to visit during the week, you will need to email me in advance so I can be expecting you – otherwise you may arrive to find I’m away that day.

Especially for holiday shoppers, I will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM until 6PM.

I will be decorating for the holidays soon and will have spicy mulled cider and cookies for my visitors. I will be closing for the winter on Christmas Eve this year, and if you wish to visit during January, February and March, email in advance for weather and road conditions in my area, and to assure that I will be expecting you.

During my Open House promotion, many of my items will bear clearly marked special prices. I have a remarkable variety of gift items: from my signature one of a kind handmade quilts and handknit sweaters, classic Nova Scotian Folk Art by masters such as Leo Naugler and Donald Armstrong, exquisite vintage hand embroidered and lace trimmed bed and table linens, beautiful vintage Suttles and Seawinds clothing (no longer made since it is too labour-intensive to be profitable), vintage cross stitch and applique quilt kits by Tobin/Progress, Bucilla, Paragon and Doublestencil/Spartex, and antique and vintage quilt tops. The list goes on and on – I have been a fanatical collector for many years and it’s now time to reduce my holdings.

This year, I am introducing gift certificates and invite you to name the denomination you wish to purchase. A nice idea would be for a group of friends or family to go together in defraying the cost of one of my wonderful and unique quilts for a very special friend or relative or to mark a special occasion. Choice, of course, is always up to the recipient and I ship all over the world.
In addition, I offer time-purchase. Half down at the time of order, plus pre-arranged monthly payments: final payment due before shipping. Shipment is made as soon as final payment is received. The item is wellpacked, insured and has a tracking number. I have many positive comments about workmanship and service that I will be happy to provide.

I am looking forward to welcoming you to my cosy studio where
the woodstove is burning brightly, seasonal music is softly playing and you can watch me making quilts the old fashioned way with hand piecing and handquilting while you sip mulled cider and munch on Christmas treats.

I hope to see you soon!

Posted in Christmas Open House, Doublestencil/Spartex, bucilla Tobin/Progress |

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