Friday, September 30, 2016

RSC16 week 40

ROSE REDS FOR 50 YEARS

My final red block for September is my 8.5-inch improv block.  I was totally uninspired this week with no idea where to begin.  Then I came across a charm pack called Rio, which I had bought for an excellent price at Missouri Star online.  It recalls the Brazilian scenes and colors.
I found an image of a bright parrot and that was my starting point.  I actually finished the whole block in no time. When you're hot, you're hot. 


Only one other piece is from the Rio group, the brights on black.  Can't tell if they are tropical leaves or fireworks; both work fine.

With that finished I had time to work on the new project I mentioned last week.   Ages ago I bought a FQ group of 20 prints,  Just Type by Patty Young for Michael Miller.  I finally decided on a parttern for them.


This is the Color Works pattern, which has been popular in our Monona Quilters group, usually done with batiks.  The black really works well with them.  I'm making a twin size, with appeal for a man or someone in computers.

Since this is the last chance for rose, I have a partial photo of the first quilt I ever bought,  to use on our double bed.  I found it in an antique shop.  The owner asked $35 and that was right in my price range as a newlywed.  I put it through the washer and dryer once.  I thought maybe it was from the 1930's.  A long search began to find out more.  


Guess what?  In the first year of Quilters Newsletter publication I sent for a free issue, number six I think, a few pages in black and white.  There was a diagram of my pattern, a variation of Harrison Rose, named for President William Henry Harrison, and the quilt dates to the 1840's era!  There are more clues, such as the colors, the type of dyes, like the early red which breaks down.  Needless to say, I have not put it through the wash since then.

So that was the start of my study of antique quilts, collecting, studying and dating them for over 50 years.  When I get better photos I will show it in more detail.  It does have hearts quilted in the background, which were used for bridal quilts.  You can see one in the photo.

I've had a good time this month, quilting and blogging, entering the Original Design category in the Festival and seeing lots of wonderful quilts.  I hope you had a chance to visit it also.  Congrats to Cynthia for winning People's Choice.  
Have a good time starting out with October colors.

I link up with
Rainbow Scrap Challenge at 

11 comments:

  1. Your fabrics are fun. They make me smile.

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  2. Your parrot is a delight in the center of that block! And I like your keyboard quilt project - good pattern choice to show off all the type!
    I enjoy when you share quilts from your collection - it's always exciting to see treasures you've found.

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  3. That is a beautiful quilt. What a find--1840s! And your blocks look good too.

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  4. Fun block, fun new project, and a ROSY old beauty!! Hope you have more even more fun with October's ORANGE!!

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  5. Love Rio too. It is a very beautiful block. The older Harrison Rose quilt is gorgeous. What a great find for only $35.00. Kudos to you! ;^)

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  6. Your Rio parrot was the perfect start for an improv block! That is a fun one! I really like the new quilt you're starting - I'll have to check out that pattern. I like the black, but I think I've also seen something similar with white sashing, and I like that, too. What a beautiful antique quilt! It's so neat that you found out the history behind it!

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  7. Wow, what a score on that antique quilt! So glad it started you researching and learning about quilts. That Rio bundle looks like fun to play with. :-)

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  8. yur parrot works so well in the block. What a great find you havd with the quilt and so good you could find so much out about it it really is a beauty I put a label on mine but I am sure they will not be around for such a long time

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  9. Your red block is inspired, love the tropical vibe. Your off to a good start with your new project. The black really does make those colors pop.

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  10. Your antique quilt is stunning. What a great find! And I like the direction you are going for you new blocks - thanks for sharing them with Oh Scrap!

    And while I did get nominated for Viewer's Choice, I didn't win. But I did win the scrap category however. Which made me very happy!

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