This week sees Sarah Fielke officially launch her new book Old Quilts, New Life and I am really happy to be part of the launch (I’m a day late, but hey, it’s still November 1st somewhere in the world right?). I’ve known Sarah for a while now and have followed her work for such a long time, starting with the publication of Material Obsession way back when it was hard to find quilt books with a modern twist.
In true Sarah style, this new book is quite simply stunning. There are nine antique quilts interpreted both directly and indirectly giving 18 projects in total. My friend Claire and I took a class with Sarah more than a year ago and I made a mini version of one of the quilts… but like so many of the projects I have on the go, there’s just a little left to do…
In tribute to the old quilts in the book, today I’m sharing my one of my favourite old quilts made using my absolute favourite quilt block of all time, the churn dash. I purchased this quilt in Austin this Feburary when Danielle and I were spending the day recovering from jet lag before the incredible frenzied festival that was QuiltCon started! We went out for a breakfast that could only be found in Texas, it was as big as the state itself and involved a number of mimosas. We then headed to Uncommon Objects, this great vintage and antique store with lots of nooks and crannies in which to find treasures. Amongst the shelves, I unearthed this beauty:
Immediately I knew I just HAD to bring it home (even though I could hear the groans from the Mr an ocean away “more quilts?”). It is such a simple design but something about those churn dash blocks set on point just made me fall in love right away.
The crinkly fabrics, so soft and worn with age and use. The secondary design made with the hand quilting, Baptist Fans across the quilt top:
And the fabrics, they date the quilt to be made around the 1950’s, there are shirtings, dress cottons and that pinky-red stripy background – OH MY! :
This now lives on the chair in my bedroom, ready to be flung over my legs as I read a book by the window. The only thing missing from it is a label, I do wish I could know who the maker was…
If you’re interested in old quilts, have a look on Instagram or Facebook at the tag #oldquiltsnewlife – there’s so many beauties to be found. And if you have an old quilt lingering about, pull it out into the light of day and wrap yourself in the stitches of generations gone by.
And you can see the quilt Danielle got here, I’m wishing I’d fought her for it ;)
