Common Threads Quilt Exhibit

This past Monday, friends and I went to Flemington NJ to see the Common Threads: Quilting Traditions of Hunterdon County, NJ exhibit curated by Judy Grow and sponsored by the Hunterdon County Tricentennial Committee. There were 48 quilts on loan from local museums, historical societies, and private collectors.

Here are photos of some the signatures quilts:

Chimney Sweep, Amy C. Hampton, 1845, 95" x 95." Hunterdon County Historical Society Collection. "There are 49 blocks. . . with signatures in all but one block."

 

 

Eliza Hager, Signature, 1843, 96" x 96," Judy Grow Collection. "This quilt of 25 pieced blocks with white sashing and blue corner blocks uses only two print fabrics with a fine plain white. . ."

 

  

Chimney Sweep with Dogtooth Border, 1849, 91" x 106." Hunterdon County Historical Society Collection. "The quilt is dated 1849 in many blocks. . . there are 30 blocks with 29 names and typical sentiments written on them. . . "

Flemington Baptist Church Mission Band, Fundraiser, 1883, 72" x 80", Hunterdon County Historical Society Collection. "The mission was organized in 1881 and was not musical. . . eight young teenage girls met to baste blocks to be sent to the Missionary Training Schools. . ."
 

Dilts/Holcombe Album, c. 1843, 96" x 108-1/2", Lambertville Historical Society Collection. "This early album, or sampler quilt includes 56 applique and pieced blocks. . . some of the blocks are personalized with small inked pictures. . . "

Somehow I missed taking a full photo of a c. 1842 Ohio Star Signature quilt which I absolutely loved but managed to take details of several blocks with wonderful blue fabrics and sashing: 

 

Ohio Star, On-Point Set, Signature, c. 1842, 91" x 93-1/2," Sandra Starley Collection. "These 61 "Ohio Star" blocks with accompanying half- and quarter-blocks are set on-point and are separated and bordered by "fussy-cut" striped sashing fabric. . . The quilt includes 71 signatures, some of them dated 1841 and 1842. . . "

I think I need to make a smaller version of this quilt :)

I'll try and post some of the star quilts next week. 

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Copyright 2014, Barbara Schaffer