It felt like Christmas on the day when History Repeated arrived in my mailbox. If you admire antique quilts, if you stroke reproduction fabrics, or if you adore vintage scrappy quilts—this is a title you need.
Authors Betsy and Carol sign books at Lone Star House of Quilts in Arlington, Texas.
Authors Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle are Texans in an exchange group called the 19th-Century Patchwork Divas. The 22-member group has been exchanging blocks based on traditional designs in reproduction fabrics since 1997. History Repeated uses 10 blocks and showcases them in a multitude of quilts with a variety of settings and fabrics to inspire you.
Carolina Lily, made by Marilyn Mowry of Irving, Texas. Quilted by Sheri Mecom of Bedford, Texas.
This is the kind of book I just wouldn’t be without. I’m finding it useful in several ways:
• It contains great patterns for traditional blocks (some were brand new to me)
• Each block is shown in numerous settings I can use or adapt (one setting is patterned and the others give enough information to emulate the setting if I want)
• Hundreds of reproduction fabrics make for great eye candy
• I’ll be studying these quilt photos closely to learn why they are so appealing
• I’ll refer to the Divas’ guidelines next time I’m involved in planning an exchange (they’ve thought of everything!)
Spiraling Flying Geese, made by Arlene Heintz of Waxahachie, Texas. Quilted by Dana Goyer of Euless, Texas.
And if all of that isn’t enough, I think you’ll be inspired by the group’s statistics found on page 9:
Prolific Patchwork
Since the start of the 19th-Century Patchwork Divas, our members have participated in 45 block exchanges…the result is a potential 530 exchange quilts, which all begin with a bag of blocks for each participant…we have completed 275 quilts and pieced 87 quilt tops…for future years, we have 158 bags of blocks just waiting to be made into quilts.
Now if that won’t get you sewing, I don’t know what will.
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Here’s a blog post from Be*mused about the 19th-Century Patchwork Divas and their amazing quilts. Take a peek at more of the quilts on flickr.
The quits from “History Repeated” are amazing! The piecing is so intricate and the colors simply sing! It really does make me want to get busy stitching!
Oh I am in love! The quilts on the cover have me drooling. Another book to add to my loooong wish list. I loved the quote~ 158 bags of blocks for future tops!~ wow!
Those flying geese are giving me ideas for my Underground Railroad quilt. Thanks.
I finished making Carolina Lily about a month ago. Only I didn’t know it was called that. I bought a pattern somewhere that called it Prairie Posies. I used scraps from a Lewis and Clark quilt and a couple of background pieces that I had to purchase. It think it turned out very pretty. I was so excited to see this quilt in your blog that now I want to take it to my long arm quilter very soon.
Fine web dude