The Lure Of Antique Quilts

We added a small display of antique quilts to our Guild Quilt Show this year. The five quilts were each more than 100 years old, one of them having been crafted in New England in the 1700’s.

The quilts were displayed in a setting with other objects borrowed from members and from an antique shop. The area was well-chosen and was easily roped off to ensure the safety of the quilts. We hadn’t tried this type of display in many years and were thrilled with the success.

We know we did three things right. First, the quilts were displayed at eye level, or just below to make them quite easy to see. Even though they were roped off, the whole cloth quilt with trapunto was displayed on a fake bed so that the observer could look down at the pattern.

Second, the quilts were displayed in a setting which made the display pleasing to the eye. The addition of an antique ironing board and iron gave the display a homey feel. Third, and most important, the quilts were displayed by a committee that really knew their quilt history! One of our older members told me that she was so fascinated by the stories that she found a chair, pulled it up, and sat and listened.

She told me that she liked three things about the stories. First, that each quilt had a story of its own. Those of us interested in quilts know that every quilt tells a story, but also may have a story of its own. Second, she loved the history of the fabrics and how trends have changed through the years. Last, she loved hearing how patterns have changed over time.

For example, the Log cabin was popular during the Civil War and several popular stories link the pattern to Abraham Lincoln, the pioneers, and the Underground Railroad. Later, the log cabin pattern, where half the square was made of dark fabrics and half from light fabrics, became popular. The popularity of this variation is back – at least at our local quilt show!