Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Carpenter's Wheel

Carpenter's Wheel has long been a favorite pattern of mine and when I saw Diane over at Leehaven quilts working on one I was inspired to dig out my vintage ones for a visit.
The first is one of my oldest quilts. Though it isn't in the best of shape - ok it is in poor shape...but look at how wonderfully the indigo fabrics have held up!
The date (September 1838)is embroidered in the center with a shooting star. A tiny signature is stamped on one corner "S. Shiner (or Shriner or Shriver) Anyway, I bought it in Baltimore many years ago. The quilting is amazing - it has only survived because of those tiny stitches.The next is from a century later...I love the symmetry of that! It is in pristine condition. When I bought it in West Virginia at a flea market it was wrapped in cotton...someone loved it. Makes me sad to think they never used it!
I think it was on that same trip to W. Virginia that I picked up this Mountain Mist batting wrapper with the pattern for the Carpenter's Wheel. The quilting in my quilt is similar to what is suggested on this pattern the layout however is different.

And because Diane loves Brownie I had to put a cat shot in here....this is Brownie "guarding" the fabric because we know it all belongs to her....

12 comments:

*karendianne. said...

Sio!!!! How completely neat. Thanks so much for pulling these out and sharing them. You are furthering my commitment to stick with these blocks. I am swooning over the very old Carpenter's Wheel. The indigo is indeed strong and I love how it stands out in the entire pattern. This one is really something else. And the quilting… whew. Amazing!!! And the 2nd one is so beautiful with the colorful fabrics. Yes, I must keep going!

…and I am so happy to see Brownie. You're just giving a real treat here today.

Impera Magna said...

What lovely quilts.... and I love the Carpenter's Wheel blocks...

I wonder if I will live long enough to try and the cool quilts that I fall in love with??? *lol*

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

great block, great quilts! I'll take the brown one... ;-) hugs!

Tonya Ricucci said...

ooh, I love the 30's version! woohoo, polka dots. and hey, I love Brownie too. She was my I-get-to-love-on-a-kitty sweetie pie before I got my own cats.

Taryn said...

Wow!! I am nearly speechless. Sure the older quilt's fabrics are in rough shape (except the indigo) but the magnificent quilting is doing a good job trying to hold everything together and the DATE, how great is that!? I love the 1930's quilt too. Looking at it reminds me of a quilt I have with an interesting border. I am thinking it is a variation of the Carpenter's Wheel. Thanks for sharing these quilts!!

Cathy said...

Your quilts are beautiful. You have such a wonderful collection of quilts. I enjoy seeing them. Hugs.

Gypsy Quilter said...

It's nice to know they've found such a loving home. Thanks for sharing.

Karen said...

Oh, you have a couple wonderful antique quilts. The Carpenter's Wheel has lots of pieces to making just one block.

Dionne said...

Your quilts are beautiful. I love antique quilts, but I don't have any.

regan said...

Both of these quilts are amazing! I love the border fabric on the 1830's one, too.....gorgeous quilting.....it's a stunner!

And Brownie is a sweetie!

Purple Pam said...

Don't we all know how cats love to guard the fabric! Your carpenter's wheel quilts are wonderful. I like that pattern so much.

julieQ said...

What an amazing quilt!! I do not have many old, old quilts, but I adore looking at them...stitched in no light with scraps...I really admire those ladies of old!!