June 19, 2024
The Studio will be open this weekend.
Thursday – Saturday
June 20-22 from 1-4 PM
329 Cannon Street Chestertown MD
Come watch me work on a Red, White and Blue Quilt on the Long Arm. I’m using rulers to make the design in the block and also to make cables in the sashing.
And I have two more vintage Quilt Tops from around 1900. Made from old shirtings. These are available for sale as is….and eventually I’ll probably finish them into quilts on the Long Arm.
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!
May 22, 2024
This week I finished 4 blocks for a group “Quilt of Valor” veterans Quilt. These blocks will be gathered, then assembled by members of Olde Kent Quilters Guild, Chestertown MD.
I also, assembled this beautiful baby quilt in pastel colors. It gets quilted today on my Long Arm.
Quilt Dreams
May the 4th be with you! What a wonderful way to look at life, with your head held high, your hands on your hips, your elbows out, and a determined look on your face as you confront all that life throws your way.
Fearless, just like the bronze sculpture “The Fearless Girl” by Kristen Vishal that stands outside the New York Stock Exchange.
I’m feeling Fearless this month. A week ago, at this year’s AQS show in Paducah, I took a three day class on Quilt Appraisals. Going into the class I was sure that I had a lot more to learn, but after three days of examining and documenting a large variety of quilts, I feel ready.
Quilt appraisers are tasked with documenting quilts, old and new, and after taking the time needed to do some careful research of the current market, determine a value for those quilts for insurance, sale, or donation purposes.
So call today, make an appointment, first for a consult $20.00 and if needed an appraisal $50.00. I will examine and document your quilt.
I look forward to seeing all the quilts hiding in your closets and hearing their stories. And I’m sure to be inspired looking at any new quilts. And helping you to get a fair value for insuring or selling your quilt.
I also got some quilting finished this week. Here are photos of me working on a quilt for hospice.
I used one of Amanda Murphy’s rulers to make “Lady Fingers Quilting” in the border…the blocks are filled with my “Dancing Squares” quilting.
QUILT DREAMS
Don’t forget!
The Olde Kent Quilters Guild
Shore Love Quilt Show is happening Friday, and Saturday April 12-13.
At the Presbyterian Church
905 Gateway Dr, Chestertown, MD 21620
Come see all the beautiful quilts and artwork made by local quilters.
And look for my two entries:
Batik Gypsy
Fly Away Home
Learning New Tricks
I was making some placemats to be sold in the Market Place at the upcoming Olde Kent Quilters Guild show. I needed to add binding to 8 placemats and thought this was a good opportunity to finally learn how to attach a binding by machine. I also practiced a new way to finish the binding without any lumps!
These placemats will be available at The Shore Love Quilting Show and Market. April 12-13, 2024.
Presbyterian Church of Chestertown
905 Gateway Drive
Chestertown, MD 21620
December 16, 2023
Dream Castle Quilt Studio will be open today 10am -3pm for the Chestertown Holiday Art Walk
329 Cannon Street.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=320720010844813&id=100087204503375&mibextid=Nif5oz
Still looking for that last Christmas Gift? Maybe a quilt or wall hanging would be a unique surprise.
Come to Chestertown MD today and visit the studios of our local artists on the Holiday Art Walk from 10am-3pm.
DreamCastle Quilt Studio will participate, stop by for a cup of holiday wine and some sweets.
See my latest work.
A Walk in the Woods
60″x 72″ coverlet with warm wool batting. Great for snuggling under while watching holiday TV specials.
Or choose any of my other Christmas Quilts.
Wine bottle charms
December 2, 2023
We are back home from our Grand Adventure in ANTARTICA.
I have lots of great ideas for new quilts…maybe with a penguin or two.
Dream Castle Quilt Studio will be open today from noon to 4:00 for Dickens weekend here in Chestertown. 329 Cannon Street.
Stop by and enjoy some Apple Cider and cookies while you check out my Christmas Quilts.
August 19, 2023
We are in our studio in Chestertown this weekend celebrating Legacy Day.
https://townofchestertown.com/event/2023-legacy-day/2023-08-18/
The Studio is open today until 5:00.
Two beautiful Molas are for sale.
These are handmade textiles that are part of the traditional clothing worn by the women of the Guna people from Panama and Columbia.
10 % from the Mola sales will go toward sewing supplies for the artist Venancio and the Guna people.
Dream Castle Quilt Studio