Eastern Shore Quilt Study Group

Minutes of the April 2008 meeting

The Eastern shore Quilt Study Group met last week. The topic was pink. I brought my fraktur inscribed 1852 PA German Rolling Stone with lovely pink borders (if you can picture a sophisticated double pink you'll get the idea). I had two Eastern Shore examples set on point with sashing but no cornerstones: an 1860s Evening Star and an 1870s Chimney Sweep. Both quilts are primarily pink and green. 

The highlight of the day appeared early in the proceedings, an 1830 Compass from Virginia. The very large blocks (about 30") are pieced in red, pink and an orange and blue print. The quilt has a marvelous chintz border and a tape binding. It's in great shape except for some shattering in the chintz. A Lone Star crib quilt from PA declared its origins in red, green, double pink, chrome yellow and double blue. 

There was a charming pink and white Double Irish Chain with a swag border from the 1860s. An Oak Leaf summer spread was made of various double pinks with urns in the border. One very creative member brought "quilt chunks," (bits of an old quilt incorporated beautifully into a finished piece using repro fabrics to create 4- and 9-Patch borders around the original Basket blocks. It's quite amazing. 

We saw a Lancaster Co. Pinwheel with a border or Centennial cheater cloth and a Log Cabin with great gaudy prints. There was a charming pink and white Double Irish Chain with a swag border from the 1860s. A 1930s Autumn Leaves had multiple borders of a striking pink and purple print. 

Another 30s quilt was a Basket of Tulips with lots of detail embroidered in black. A unique child's quilt from the 1930 was divided into quadrants filled with cookie cutter-type images of bunnies, hearts, leaves, a baby doll etc. A raspberry and pink President's Wreaths with triple swag borders really gilded the lily by flaunting prairie points. There was a lovely multicolor Sweet Pea kit quilt. 

A real family treasure was a Lancaster Rose appliqué from the 1930s made of the most elegant silky ivory, pink and green solids. It wasn't pink but a small quilt with a zigzag edge inscribed "The Xquisite May 1, 1930" charmed us all. It's made of tiny blue Xs on white. If only the maker had added her name. 

Of course, there was more, but I can't remember everything. The great thing about a study group is that new members keep coming and the regulars bring new goodies. If you can't find a group to join start your own. 

Cinda on the Eastern Shore