Maida Today: 11/01/2011

Resources for Making Antique Inspired Doll Quilts

Discovering new worlds is fun. If you'd like to see the other posts about doll quilts here on Maida Today, click here. In this post, I'd like to focus on resources for making antique inspired doll quilts. I love quilts, but making a large sized quilt is beyond my attention span. But making a doll-sized quilt would be just right!

Visit Edyth O'Neill's blog, she's got a lot of doll quilt pictures up right now. The pictures of Martha Rutledge's quilt reminded me of how I came to discover some resources about making doll quilts. I oohed and ahed over a picture Edyth shared via email of a quilt that Martha Rutledge had made. When I mentioned I would like to make a doll quilt, Martha recommended the Small Quilt Talk group.

Hexagon Quilt by Kathy Tracy

The Small Quilt Talk group is led by Kathleen Tracy, and is to small antique quilts what Maida Dolls Group is to antique dolls. Kathy has written several books about making small quilts, and one book in particular is focused on American Doll Quilts. You can learn a lot about making doll quilts from Kathy's group and books. Also, visit Kathy's website Country Lane Quilts where she has a where she has some free antique inspired doll quilt patterns. Kathy also has a blog here called A Sentimental Quilter.

In addition to Kathy's books and resources, there are some other wonderful blogs and resources. First off, don't forget about antique doll quilts themselves as inspiration. Here are some links to antique doll quilts available for purchase.

Other Books About Making Doll Quilts

In addition to Kathleen Tracy's books, doll quilters have specifically recommended these books to me:

Childhood Treasures: Doll Quilts by and for Children

Great Little Quilts: 45 Antique Crib and Doll-size Quilts with Pattern and Directions

Twenty Little Patchwork Quilts: With Full-Size Templates

There are some great gems published in the past. Amazon has a great list of books to try.

Some Quilt Blogs to Visit

Source: weewonderfuls.typepad.com via Dixie on Pinterest

There are a lot of wonderful sites on the web. I picked a few here that are either focused on doll quilts, antique quilts or have great links lists related to our topic. Visit these blogs and then look at the links they have on their blogs. You'll find some great resources!

Barbara Brackman has a great post about the Ghormley collection of doll quilts here.

Dawn, of Collector with a Needle (great name!) has a wonderful post on doll quilts with pictures of a special exhibit of doll beds and quilts at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. The Exhibit, called "Sleep Tight Doll Quilts" showcases a number of new doll quilts. Visit Dawn's blog to see some wonderful doll quilts shown there with links to other sites on doll quilts.

Inspired by Antique Quilts blog has made her own version of the wall of doll quilts above. It is so inspiring to see someone follow through on that inspiration!

Lisa's site Stray Threads isn't focused only on doll quilts, but has an incredible links list to other quilting sites focused on antique quilts. Her blog archives are worth looking through because she has a great passion and knowledge for early quilts and other textiles.

Only Doll Quilts site is of interest for obvious reasons!

Marian Edwards Dreamsweaver has a great blog showcasing some quilts she has made.

Amy Champions blog has a lovely doll quilt in process called Strawberry Fields.

Humble Quilts has a lovely post showing some antique doll quilts which inspired new doll quilts made as reproductions.

Ashton House has a lovely post on the Ghormly collection.

Study Antique Quilts

Inspiration for color and pattern can be found through studying antiques. Of course, we always sign our work so as to not confuse any collectors.

Stella Rubin Antiques

Old Quilt Company

Laura Fisher Quilts

There Are Many More Resources

I hope that this post has been helpful to you and FUN. If you're a doll quilter, please leave comments below so we can visit your sites AND leave suggestions for resources I didn't list here. See all the Doll Quilt posts here on Maida here!

~ Dixie

More on Quilted Accessories:
Edyth's Pockets and Rollups Book

Since we are talking about quilting here on Maida Today, I thought it would be good to mention Edyth O'Neill's book on Pockets and Rollups. Look at the wonderful log cabin quilt pattern that was used to make this colonial pocket. These were worn under garments for close keeping of important items. Rollups were used to store sewing notions. Edyth has more of these books available. The pockets are lovely hung on a wall along with doll quilts.

Edyth has copies of this book in limited quantitities. The original soft cover book with full size patterns is available in limited quantities for $15, including priority mailing. Sorry, shipping to Continental USA only. Send a check to Edyth O'Neill, 2155 Lightstone, Fredericksburg TX 78624.

Edyth's blog has more images of doll quilts, so be sure to visit.

An Antique Doll Quilt from 1829

Tricia Langley, an internet friend I met through an antique doll collecting group online, shares this lovely vignette with us. She says,

"I was attracted to the very early doll bed because of it's vase shaped turnings. It looks to be walnut. It is a doll size rope bed. The dolls are German papier mache heads with kid leather bodies and wooden limbs, circa 1845-1855. They are commonly (and in error) referred to as Milliner Models."

The doll quilt came with an old note that was hand sewn to the quilt. It's faded lettering has the following written:

There is a name (illegible)

June 18, 1829

Harper's Ferry

Virginia

Another name (also illegible)

fifty years ago 1882.

The quilt is backed with white cloth.

Thank you, Tricia, for sharing this lovely old gem!

When I asked Tricia what website she would like to refer people to, she recommended Rabbit Goody's site, Thistle Hill Weavers, as one that would be interesting to those who love old textiles.

Share A Doll Quilt You've Made

Source: weewonderfuls.typepad.com via Dixie on Pinterest

From the book Collecting American Country.

After I saw this picture I bought a copy of the book at Amazon.

Have you made a doll quilt you'd like to share? Please upload ONE image of a quilt you've made below and enter a link to your blog, website or online picture album. It's fine if your item is for sale, but it doesn't have to be for sale. Click the blue letters that say "click here to enter" and you choose a picture to upload and then have the opportunity to add a link to your site.

Please note - If your picture doesn't upload please send it to me via email at northdixie AT gmail.com. I'll load it on. Thanks for sharing, everyone!

Antique 19th Century Carved Wooden Doll
Courtesy of Anonymous Works

Anonymous Works' Blog is definitely one you should visit if you love folk art. He continually posts such interesting artifacts from history that you will want to be checking daily. I found his site when I was searching for "1840's dolls". I emailed and asked if I could feature this large 19th century carved wooden doll and he kindly shared images. Anonymous Works Website has a lot of wonderful carved folk art pieces as other unique treasures that are interesting to those of inspired by antiques.