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Redwork signature quilt

Just 'discovered' a treasure! The little local museum I volunteer at has six old quilts hanging up. The place is overcrowded and the quilts are not easy to see or get to. One of them is a Redwork signature quilt, and I have admired it from afar for the several months I have been working here. Last week I took a closer look. The dates on the blocks are 1897! This quilt has blocks joined by machine sewing and the redwork squares have solid red sashing and border. It is bound with a ruffle of red. I had assumed from the sashing and from the excellent condition it is in that the quilt was quite a bit more recent than 1897! Several of squares have the year on them, so there can be no mistaking the age. Each Redwork square has obviously been personally designed, and include personal messages as well as the signatures. A club, undoubtedly a women's club, is mentioned on several. The quilt is in such good shape, it couldn't have been used very much. Now I have to find out more! Research the club, see if I can find out who the quilt was given too, and the occasion. This place is so much fun!!

Turtle

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turtle
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Reply to
Joanna

I'm not so sure they would let me volunteer at a museum where quilts were on display. I'd probably get varicose veins in my neck from yelling 'Don't TOUCH it!' . . . and then, because I'd understand our need to touch would say, 'Okay, go ahead but just a little and you have to wash your hands first.' Polly

"Joanna" We would love to see pics if you can next time you go.

Reply to
Polly Esther

What a treasure. Please do the museum and the quilting community a big favor and research the organization which made the quilt, who it was given to and where it lived from that time until it was donated to the museum.

Now for a fund raising idea.... Ask the museum for permission to photograph each square. Research which might be standard penny square designs and which were a personal design. Are any local landmarks? Choose ten or twelve designs and sell them in a pattern packet for $5.00 at museum gift shop or local needlework/quilting store. All proceeds would go to the museum. Offer a Redwork class to scout groups ( I think there is a needlework badge this would meet) or to others at museum open house events. The cost of the class will cover simple materials and loan of a hoop during class. Except for the investment in a dozen small hoops, supplies costs are very minimal so class fee can be kept below $5.00 and a nice profit is still made. Of course this fee would mean a volunteer is teaching the class.

I have done a similar thing for a local museum. The redwork quilts were on loan from a local resident so I couldn't copy the designs (owner very protective of quilts and family history). For a pattern packet I draw several local landmarks. You don't have to be an artist to draw redwork designs as there can't be a lot of detail. Find a good photograph of the landmark, re-size it to fit a 6" penny square and trace an outline. You might have to stitch it several times to achieve the look you want but once you are happy trace the design for a master. Add a short paragraph about the history of redwork.

Of course I would like to purchase a c>Just 'discovered' a treasure! The little local museum I volunteer at

Reply to
Susan Laity Price

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