Quilt Dreams

June 3, 2024

Following up on my education in Antique and Vintage quilts I have been following Auctions, watching what sells and for what price.

What a great way to see a variety of old quilts, every sort of pattern, every shape and size, and every condition, from beautifully made to total disasters.

This week I went with a friend to a local auction. Wow! So much to see there. A top hat, lots of trains, old Japanese dolls, china, jewelry, paintings, Dietz lanterns, and many tables and shelves full of  paraphernalia.

I was first attracted to a broken star quilt from the 1930s in great condition.(P.S. it sold for just $66.00.)

My friend was interested in furniture. So we looked. And on the way out we weaved through all the larger lots.

I was attracted to one, it had two granny square Afghans, a crocheted baby quilt, a small hand quilted baby quilt…and then I saw these…

This quilt was from a Marie Webster pattern published in 1922. Made some time in the 1920-1930s. It’s in great condition, just one small group of holes on one leaf.

This block was first published by the Ladies Art Company in the 1890s. Hand quilted with turkey reds and probably hand dyed greens.

Made with turkey reds and chrome yellows, from probably around the latpe 1800s or early 1900s. Excellent condition.

I have not yet located a name for this pattern. The fabrics are turkey red with a hand dyed “fugitive green”. Also, late 1800s.

This piece was quilted as a summer top…no batting. On the back I found some feed sacks, two from Patapsco Mills in Baltimore, and one from Brandywine Mills in Wilmington DE

This quilt was probably made around 1880.

The fabrics are double pink and mourning cloth purple. The purple dyed fabric is fading to brown in some places.

This quilt has some damage, a tear that took off part of the last border for about 10 inches in one corner.

But this is my favorite quilt of them all.

I grew up in Wilmington, DE.

For my first 6 years I lived in my Grandmother’s house, just a few blocks from the Brandywine Mills, and what is now Brandywine Park.

My other Grandmother also lived in Wilmington, just a few blocks in the other direction. She was a seamstress and I’d like to think that she could have made this quilt!

So…what do you think I got all of these for?   The opening bid was      $10.00…I was bid up, but got the whole group, for just $20.00.

I’m hooked!  What a great find!  I’m hoping to visit the auction in two weeks…wonder what new treasures I’ll discover hidden on the shelves.

Betty Tucker Dietz

Happy Quilting!