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I am a quilter living in Woodbridge, Suffolk who has made quilts since I was a teenager. I also ring bells! Both are great British traditions....I will try to feature some of my antique Welsh and Durham quilts, the quilts I make myself, my quilting activities and also some of my bellringing achievements. Plus as many photos as I can manage. NB: Double click on the photos to see greater detail, then use back button to return to the main page.













Wednesday 21 February 2018

Very Worn Sanderson Star in Yellow and White

As I am very interested in the Sanderson Star pattern, I did buy this quilt...it has seen better days though! The quilt has been cut down at some point and a binding applied. These quilts usually have three dark borders, and not a light outer border, so I suspect that a very worn portion of the quilt has been cut off. The edges of these quilts do receive the most wear, so not surprising. The quilt has been reduced in size to 70 x 60 inches.


Here is the central Sanderson Star. This pattern was very popular and the quilts were made in some numbers. Here we have one in yellow and white.


The quilt is very well used and although the cotton sateen has survived amazingly well, if you hold the quilt up to the light you can see that the wadding is lumpy and has diminished and shifted through hard wear. There is not much of it left!


The quilting patterns have become simplified from the earlier Sanderson Star patterns. You have a simple twist, and a much simplified Gardiner feather border - it really is just large swirls here.


In the central star, the usual rose with fern has also become much simplified.


The single binding is modern and stitiched to the back and hand sewn to the front - the reverse to what I would do....
 
Still, a striking pattern even if faded and well used, as here....



Wednesday 14 February 2018

Pink and Green Durham with Star Motif

Here is a Durham quilt in green and pink sateen. The quilt was sold by a charity shop in Leeds and measures 227 x 190 cm or 89 x 75 inches.
 

Judging by the pink thread that was used for the quilting, this whole cloth side was meant to be the "best" side.


You can see the large motifs used - fans, large roses and feather swags.


The reverse has a pink frame with a green centre. There is a large central applique star and the corners have a similar quarter star.


Although the pink side is meant to be the "best" side, by looking at the quilting stitches, it is obvious that the quilting has been done from this side. It is easy to see why - the quilting motifs are arranged around the stars and it would have been very difficult to do this if quilting from the plain side.


You can see by examining the quilting stitches that the quilting was done from this side. Also, that the applique was done by machine and none too carefully!


It just shows that these quilts were turned out fairly quickly and that the overall appearance was more important than intricate workmanship...


The edges reveal that the outer edge of the border has the selvedge of the material....again another time saver...


This star may be a later, simplified version of the more complex Sanderson Star.

The central star has a rose motif, and is surrounded by feather swags. The quilt is generally in good condition, however that dark spot seems oily? ...and the quilt may have to be washed!!