Nova Scotia Quilts

Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada

Archive for the ‘wholecloth’ 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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Traditional unbleached 100% cotton muslin quilt backings

April 23rd, 2011

the label on the quilt backs from Hearthside Quilts

Those of you reading this who complete antique and vintage quilt tops, vintage quilt kits including applique and cross stitch, and who like to work wholecloth quilts will be interested to hear that I recently acquired several of these 100% unbleached cotton quilt backs in a queen/king size – at 96×108 inches these backings will suit most of the larger kits and tops out there. No piecing, no sourcing of extra wide fabric and at a reasonable price too – there are only a few and when they are gone I’m unlikely to have more, so contact me if you would like to reserve these.

Price: 100% cotton muslin, unbleached, made in the USA expressly for Hearthside Quilts of Vermont, sized at 96×108 each one $40USD + $10USD shipping = $50 Shipping will be combined for multiple purchases

CONTACT ME TO RESERVE ONE OR MORE of these great backings! janet@novascotiaquilts.com

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Posted in 100% cotton quilt backing, antique quilt tops, wholecloth |

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A CHANGE IN PACE

January 2nd, 2008

Most of my life I have been a terrible packrat and collector and I have come to the realization that I need to start weeding out my collections – have made a New Year’s resolution to do that and it may be easier than the second one to get fitter and lose some weight. I need to concentrate specially my collections of vintage quilt kits, both cross stitched (Paragon and Tobin)and applique and Doublestencil Smithsonian whole cloth and wholecloths embellished with needleturn applique.
In addition I have a huge supply of fabrics, mostly 19th century reproduction, amish-style solids and 1930’s both repro and genuine feedsack. As well I have a fair supply of 1970’s and 80’s tiny flowered calicos. Time to get sewing on my own planned projects so I will only rarely now be accepting commissions to hand quilt others’ quilt tops and now and then will accept a quilt restoration if I am intrigued enough. I am hoping my new commission clients may be interested in letting me surprise them after choosing colours and type of quilt – my creative juices are currently becoming frustrated! I have many antique and vintage quilt tops to be finished too.
As well, I have collected and dealt in Nova Scotian Folk Art for at least 30 years and am planning on keeping only a few sentimental pieces such as the fine Elmer Killen carving of a man and team plowing, which was left to me in my mother’s estate.
I also have smalls of all sorts to go.
Basically I’d suggest you contact me with your wish list and we’ll see what we can find – once the snow is gone and the tourists are here again I will be open 7 days a week and expect my collections to move fast, so perhaps checking out my inventory now is a good idea!
I am reaching the point in life where I want to do more of my own design projects and am also embarking on teaching online as my main occupation, so it makes sense to downsize. As well I am looking at some fairly extensive maintainance for my almost 200 year old home so reducing the stuff that will need to be pushed around from place to place makes a lot of sense to me!!!.

Posted in Nova Scotian Folk Art. Elmer Killen, antique quilt tops, applique, calico, hand quilting, quilt restoration, vintage quilt kit, wholecloth |

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