Nova Scotia Quilts

Archive for the ‘heritage quilts’ Category

 

I am often called upon to help quiltmakers and collectors source specific vintage kits. Usually the request is quite detailed, with maker, title and call number of the kit. Today I’m posting this for Beryl, who is not at all used to using a computer and although she knows she saw what she wants online, she can’t tell me where – it may have been on my site – or elsewhere. So I’ve done a little legwork and come up with several possibilities. I’m hoping it’s one of these Beryl, because if it is, I am in a positiion to help you out!

I’m often able to do this, and usually haven’t discussed this customer service much online, but in the last year or so I’ve helped a customer find a replacement kit for an heirloom that was stolen in a burglary; and found baby quilt kits in the Beatrix Potter series for the proud grandma of twin boys and provided customers with instruction packages for some of the lovely vintage cross stitch kits on the market.

So if you have a request you think I can help with, don’t be shy – I’m often able to help!

Now to show Beryl and other interested quiltmakers – here’s what I’ve found.

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This is a lovely classic I am fortunate to have in stock, complete with the floss kit in two neutral shades, a medium beige and a darker beige, plus some gold blending filament to add sparkle.

This is Bucilla #3376 “Regency” in the double bed size – a lovely allover design that looks like a snowflake to me.

PRICE: $290USD + $25USD Shipping with insurance and tracking = $315USD contact me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com

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The kit shown below I currently have in stock in your choice of either a double or a king size. I have no floss kit for this but can definitely supply you with sufficient vintage floss from my own stash to wrk the colour version shown; and am likely also to have enough floss to supply other personal colour choices – this kit would look lovely in many colour choices.

Paragon 01142 “Snowflower”

PRICE: double at $225USD and king at $250 – your choice: add $25USD for shipping – contact me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to arrange purchase using personal cheque, international postal money order or Paypal invoice.

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Beryl specified that her wished for quilt is cross stitch – just to be certain though, I am including this picture of an applique quilt even though I don’t think it’s the one she is looking for – this is a quilt that at one time was available in kit form put out by an unknown company. I have never seen the kit offered anywhere and was lucky to garner a colour picture and a quilting design for it and templates with a placement diagram, so if this one is your heart’s desire – you just might be able to get copies from me and make your own – I believe it came in blue and off white,. and am unsure whether there were other colour choices. Contact me for details if you wish to order copies from me.

I hope the quilts I’ve shown you today pique your interest. Does anyone have any suggestions for other snowflake quilts made from kits that I might follow up on?  I need to find this lady’s dream quilt!

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Send me an email with “SIGN ME UP” in the subject line – janet @novascotiaquilts.com

Enjoy this lovely summer day! Bye for now! Janet

 

These days I have some serious house repair and renovation going on, and a good part of many of my days have been spent in shifting my inventory from place to place in the house as the construction zone moves into areas I’ve used for storage.

I have gradually built up a collection of lovely finished quilts, vintage and antique, made from kits and pieced in the typical prints and solids of the late 19th century and earlier half of the 20th century.

These quilts were selected in particular as being in pristine condition – stitching is strong, “beauty spots” are very limited and bindings are intact. In many cases, I suspect these quilts were never used for anything more rigourous that display – certainly many have never been laundered. All are sweet smelling and unfaded.

It has become clear to me that I need to simplify and downsize, so I am offering these treasures at very attractive pricing and until May 31  shipping to any place in North America is free with tracking and insurance included. Quilts usually cost around $50, and sometimes more to ship, so I hope you will take advantage of this great offer. Payment can be made by requesting a Paypal invoice, or by mailing to me your personal cheque in USD or an International Postal Money Order also in USD. Contact me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to arrange purchase.

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Above is a photo of the front cover on the packaging of Progress #1553, Majestic. I sold this in kit form some time ago and haven’t been able to source it again, but I do have this as a finished quilt among my collection. Sized at 79×97 which was the standard size of the Progress kits, this quilt has been made by a very skilled hand and is in perfect condition. Dates to late 1950’s, early 1960’s.

The pattern is very similar to another Progress kit #1492 Tree of Life. Both are patterned on the palampores or bed spread sized hand block printed cottons imported by the Dutch East India and the British East India Companies in the early 17th century – these ‘indiennes’ fabric in very fine cotton took Europe by storm and in fact are still being made today by the den Haan and Wagenmaker firm in Holland. Check out their website for some luscious fabrics!  http://www.dutchquilts.net/EN_index_.html

PRICE: MAJESTIC  completed vintage quilt 79×97  $500USD  + ship free until May 31/13

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Above is the cover photo of Bucilla’s kit “Acorn Harvest”, done in cross stitch embroidery and then handquilted – design is based on a 19th century applique quilt motif and I have this lovely quilt both in kit form and in a finished quilt. Contact me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com

The finished quilt – in a double/queen size is in immaculate condition, and is priced at  $400USD and will ship free with tracking and insurance until May 31/13

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The finished quilt featured above is a winner! Again, in pristine unused condition; and again I have the kit as well as the finished quilt. The applique on this quilt is absolutely flawless – a real ‘girlie’ quilt without being over the top - maybe just in time for a graduating daughter or granddaughter?

PRICE: Bucilla The Living Rose in double/queen $450USD + shipping is free until May 31/13

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Above is a very early quilt made from a kit put out by Home Needlecraft Company. I recently featured this quilt when discussing the markings on the old kit and how to minimise what stamping tends to remain.

http://www.novascotiaquilts.com/2013/01/removing-the-stamped-markings-from-quilts-made-from-kits.html

 

PRICE: SCATTERED MORNING GLORIES  $575USD + free shipping until May 31/13

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This one is a rare one!! I sold the only kit I ever had of this quilt many years ago and have not seen it since. I was lucky enough to find this finished one in the secondary market a couple of years and happy to tell you it has no issues – clean, unfaded and with skilled and sturdy stitching, this is Progress #1345, Bowknot measuring 79×97 – and ready to place on your bed. The quilt dates to the late 1940’s or early 1950’s and will make a unique statement in any collection.

PRICE: Bowknot  – Progress #1345  $575USD + free shipping until May 31/13

ABOVE: A closeup of Bowknot – enjoy!!

Contact me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to purchase

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 The quilt shown above is quite likely not made from a kit – I think I may have seen this pattern in a quilt magazine from the early 1980’s – whatever its origins it is lovely – a serene but colourful quilt executed with skill by a bold and confident needlewoman.  This Basket of Flowers sized at 60×60 would look lovely in a bright sunny bedroom with any kind of furniture, but can you see it with white wicker?

wow!! - a real winner!

PRICE: BASKET OF FLOWERS 60×60  $400USD + free shipping until May 31/13

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The next two quilts I’ll show you today were, of course, not made from kits. They are true pieces of our quilting past in North America and would hold their own in any quilt lover’s collection. This first one dates from the late 19th century and is made from indigo prints and a beautiful double pink print, offset by white and heavily quilted. It has clearly been used and loved, but well cared for. Fabric is still strong and stitching is intact, while the batting has not bunched up – the only sign of its age is a gentle fraying of the binding, but that binding is still intact and currently needs no attention.

PRICE: Indigo and doouble pink Geese in a Pond quilt 72×90  $575USD + shipping free until May 31/13

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Above is a Star of Bethlehem or Texas Star quilt with the unusual but totally charming addition of a strong 1930’s candy pink background which sets off and enhances the strong solid 1930’s colours making up the central pieced star.  I have checked this piece by piece and closed up a few seams where stitching had come undone, so it should be ready for display in your home. And what a display it will make! At 78×78, a very versatile size it can go on a double bed, or a twin and would make a strong statement hanging over the back of a sofa or over a door. Backing is the same wonderful pink!

PRICE: STAR OF BETHLEHEM  78×78  $450 + free shipping until May 31/13

Don’t delay! this won’t last – email me: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to secure your purchase

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The last quilt I’ll show you today is one I made and is left over from last year’s invcentory. A one of a kind original design by me, it is made from repro 19th century fabrics in indogoes on white muslin and is enhanced by a shot of turkey red. At about 50×50, this would make a great table cloth at a 4th of July celebration, or if you’d rather not check its washability – which is just fine, you can hang it on the wall or over the back of the sofa. The patriotism is subtle enough, too, that this quilt will hold its own any day of the year.

PRICE: JANET’S INDIGO BASKETS – hand appliqued, hand pieced and hand quilted from fine 100% cotton through and through  $350USD + free shipping until May 31/13

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In addition to all these lovely quilts, I have a fine collection of bedlinens, vintage of course and many hand embelllished – all of which are made in the USA or France of either 100% cotton or linen/hemp – if you’d like to dress your whole bed vintage – contact me janet@novascotiaquilts.com and we can talk.

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Remember, too, to add your name to my list in order to receive my monthly newsletter – send me an email with ‘Sign me up!’ in the subject  line – janet@novascotiaquilts.com

HUGS! JANET

  

QUILTS AT THE HARBOUR is 15 THIS YEAR!!! 

It hardly seems possible that what we started as an experiment so long ago has prospered and grown year by year to a two day show that has brought people from all over North America and from Europe too! Below are some pictures taken mainly at last year’s show, but one or two taken from  previous years too. All profits from commission on sales, free will offerings and bake table go to this lovely small heritage church and last year we cleared just over a thousand dollars. 

 

A photo of the lovely heritage church, dating from first settlement of the area – after a few years of worshipping in local homes, the church was built circa 1840 

 

The Sunday School/Fellowship room was built on about 25 years ago, providing a meeting room and washroom facilities. We sell smaller quilted items, knitwear, baked goods and quilters’ gently used items here, and have seating for enjoying chat, light refreshments and a little rest. The sale is staffed by myself, a couple of fellow quilters from the community and several members of the church who run the bake table, serve refreshments and talk about the history of the church and cemetery, and families in the harbour and surrounding area.  We are fortunate to have keen historians available during the show, as well as dedicated quiltmakers! 

 

Another view of the Fellowship Room, me watching a customer trying on one of the sweaters for sale last year. Her husband provided several of the photos used in this post – thanks. 

 

A still functioning and very ornate kerosene chandelier at the front of the church. Note too the beautifully handcrafted pews, painted and faux woodgrained with the original numbers. The beautiful wainscotting matches the pews and similar wainscotting is seen in some of the homes in the community that date to first settlement.  

The church also preserves the collection box which was sent along the pews on a stick by one of the church officers. Note the original wide plank floors under the carpet runner. The windows are unadorned by stained glass. 

 

An overview of the pews, covered in lovely quilts.  The Minister, Mike is checking one of them out. A wonderful assortment, mainly one of a kind, and there were several antique quilts and many vintage quilts  for sale too. Also quilts in all sizes from wallhanging, tabletopper, crib and youth bed quilts right up through twin, double/queen and king sized – something for everyone and at reasonable prices with 20% going to the church – a win/win situation. 

 

Mark your calendar now and be sure to attend, and hopefully show some quilts or consign us some of your unused quilting gizmos and goodies. We’re waiting to welcome you and you’ll have a wonderful day out among friendly people in an area of fabulous natural scenery. Visit us!!  

To find out more or arrange to enter your quilts and goodies, contact me janet@novascotiaquilts.com 

   

Recently I have sold five wholecloth quilt kits! I’m delighted, of course, that my customers are choosing these lovely kits, but I’m at a loss at the moment to re-stock. I spent the day contacting all my sources and came up empty – none available at the moment. In addition to these three possibilities below, I currently have several Benartex queen sized kits in stock – Floral Bouquet, and Feathered Pineapple come to mind – ask me about them: janet@novascotiaquilts.com

Today I want to post about the versatility of several vintage quilt kits I have in my inventory. One is designed as a wholecloth quilt kit and the other two can be finished in the wholeloth style or with applique as well. Two of these lovely kits are available with coordinating wallhanging or baby’s quilt. More details below:

This interesting kit is  inspired by a mid-nineteenth century quilt in the Smithsonian’s Museum collection. It is a Baltiimore Album style quilt measuring 88×114 inches . This size kit does not come with backing, but the wallhanging/baby’s quilt kit shown above the bed in the picture  is available in stock too and comes with backing. All coloured fabrics are contained in the kit.

PRICE: Floral Album queen/king size 88×114  $395USD + $30USD shipping tracking and insurance

                 Floral Album baby’s quilt/wallhanging 40×40  $175USD + $20USD shipping and tracking

                          COMBINED SHIPPING for both kits $30USD tracking and insurance included

  contact: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to order with your personal cheque, an international postal money order or your Paypal account

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Another Spartex/Doublestencil is the lovely Pennsylvania Folk Art II Kit. I have this design available in double/queen which comes with no backing, and in the baby’s quilt/wallhanging size of 43×47, complete with backing. These kits could be done using the fabric for applique as shown and supplied, or you might decide to choose your own fabrics. I have seen both quilts done as a wholecloth quilts and I’m inclined to prefer this very simple and subtle treatment.

PRICE: Pennsylvania Folk Art II  double/queen kit $250USD + $30 USD shipping, insured and trackable

                  Pennsylvania Folk Art II baby quilt/wallhanging $175USD + $20 shipping, insured and trackable

                                Combined shipping for the two items: $30USD w tracking and insurance

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And last: the very lovely, formal and classic Hagerstown Feather , which was produced by Penn Prints, another name under which Spartex/Doublestencil traded. So all three kits are from the Spartanburg, South Carolina textile mill, made of finest quslity 100% American made and grown cotton. This firm is long out of business, the mill that was the lifeblood of this small southern city silent and vacant now.

These kits  rarely shows up in the secondary market and I have acquired very few in the last year or so.  Interest remains high in these classic vintage kits, judging by he inquiries I receive.

PRICE: Hagerstown Feather double/queen size top  $250USD + $30USD shipping, insurance and tracking

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Contact me: janet@novascotiaquilt.com to order and arrange payment by personal cheque, international postal money order or your Paypal account – I offer great customer service with a friendly personal touch.

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And don’t forget to email me to SIGN ME UP!  for the monthly newsletter with all sorts of interesting informatin, special offers and listingf the newest vintage kits acquired before they are posted onlone.  janet@novascotiaquilts.com

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Happy Easter and happy spring!!   Janet

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I’ve noticed people are starting to search for information on the Quilt Show and Sale held each fall in Hall’s Harbour, so decided I’d better post on it in lots of time for people to start making plans to visit that weekend and/or exhibit their quilts.

QUILTS AT THE HARBOUR 13th ANNUAL QUILT SHOW AND SALE: 

 will be held on Saturday September 24 from 10AM to 5PM and Sunday September 25 from Noon until 5PM

at: Hall’s Harbour United Baptist Church, 885 West Hall’s Harbour Road at the corner of Sullivan Road

Admission by Free Will offering and refreshments are free. There is expected to be a bakesale as well and this is always a crowd pleaser!

For quilters, we always have a “gently used” table full of books, magazines, notions and loads of patterns and fabric – always very tempting!

We welcome quilters to exhibit their items either for sale or for viewing only and we welcome exhibitors from outside our immediate area – the more the merrier!!!

We are expecting lots of quilts and this year there will be some vintage and antique ones for sale as well some vintage embellished bedlinens, both North American and imported from France.

Quilters are already planning and working on quilts that will be on show, so it is expected to be an interesting weekend.

There is ample parking, bus tours are welcome, and the building is wheelchair accessible.

All donations at the door, and a 20% commision on all sales is given to the church and we are usually able to raise between $600 and $700 which helps to support and sustain this lovely small and historic church built in the 1840’s and actively serving the community to this day.

For more information on how to enter your quilts for the show, check my blog: http://www.quiltingwithjanet.blogspot.com

Hoping to see you in September at Quilts at the Harbour 13!!

Janet