AQSG Seminar Recap

Here we are at the Seminar.  O.k. that's not really us.  Once again, I neglected to take my camera.  Why do I even have one, you ask.  I don't know.  You will just have to overlook my shortcomings.  Plus, these days, you never know who wants their photo on your blog and who doesn't.
I can tell you that it was a mind boggling experience for me.  So much scholarship in one place.  Lynn Bassett, the author of one of my all time favorite books, shown here:

(Read an interview with her here .)

was part of a knowledgeable group of women who taught a research workshop.  She kindly offered me a seriously good tip on researching this quilt top that we own. It is from Massachusetts from the mid 1850's and is a name inscribed quilt and more than likely a signature quilt.  What is the difference you ask?  Well, sometimes quilts with names were not in fact signatures of different people, but were different names written by one person.  There are any number of reasons why that would be the case - use your imagination here.  My quilt appears to have different styles of writing and so is probably a true signature quilt.  It is not clear to me right now as to whether I want to devote all the time it would take to research it or not.  Here are a couple of blocks:

 

Not all the blocks are blue.  But after my Prussian Blue Class, guess I am just drawn to that color!

 

On another note, I got to see Jill, Susan and Annette who came from Pennsylvania.  They are part of the PA group that I was privileged to meet when we lived in Ohio.  It was so nice to see them again.  Jill had a wonderful entry in the AQSG 1825 Challenge.  It was a truly lovely little quilt and both Merikay Waldvogel (read about her induction into the Quilters Hall of Fame here) and I thought it should have won a prize.  We weren't the judges however.  I am happy to say that Wendy Caton Reed (visit her blog here and see a photo of her entry) did in fact have a winning entry.  She graciously donated her lovely quilt and her prize to be in the live auction.  Speaking of that, this little guy sold for a whopping $700.  I couldn't believe it. I was thrilled beyond belief.

Of course there was some shopping involved.  The vendors who came, brought their very best items.  Talk about quilt overload!  It was great. Here is what I purchased.

 

 

It is a quilt top from Lancaster County and is Mennonite.  I trust the dealer and believe this to be true.  It is exceedingly difficult to date because  the fabrics are solid colors and also because this color combo was popular with the Mennonite quilt makers for a very long time.  Saying it is circa 1900 is probably safe.  The photo doesn't show it, but there are 6 solid color alternate blocks that have substantial spots where the color is gone.  Apparently it was folded and something spilled on it and completely removed the color through the layers.  I didn't care.  Oh yes, you know I am taking it apart. I would love to do a whole series of miniatures in these colors, but with different block patterns.  There was a time when I would not have been using this color combo, but now I love it.  It will be so fun for miniatures. 

Well, guess that is about it for now.  We came home Sunday, but I am still trying to recuperate from all the fun.  Can't wait to attend another seminar!

Till next time..........

Sheila