History Repeating Pattern Writing

Instructions provided courtesy of guest Froncie Quinn.

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Filed under: Quilting, Crafts

Antique Quilts

The antique quilts that are chosen for pattern writing are indicative of a certain time period, method and/or have particularly interesting historical background. These include scrap, friendship, stenciled, applique, star and two-colored quilts.

In order to be the quilters' "eyes to the quilt," some of the original details are chosen to be part of the replication process including signature blocks, stenciling, patterns of the fabric choices (for instance the Calico Garden is made up of flowered fabrics), signatures and phrases on Friendship quilts.

In comparing traditional and modern-day techniques, it is important to keep the integrity of the antique quilt. In antique Peony quilt, the peony template is one piece as opposed to two diamonds seen in contemporary Peony patterns. Here are some other key components of a few antique patterns:

In the Elizabeth Green Friendship quilt, five centers have watercolor drawings.
Bias Pomegranate quilt has "funky" quilting designs.
Calico Garden has interesting nine patch blocks.

Pieced Silk Tie can be replicated to imitate silk.

Choice of fabric for a reproduction quilt is important. Vintage fabrics create the antique look.

Broderie Perse Applique

Traditional Technique

1. Choose a fabric for a Broderie Perse applique that has a similar background color to the background of the quilt. Keep in mind scale and the era of the quilt.

2. Cut the shapes out, leaving a 1/8-inch seam allowance. Do not worry about cutting around all the details of the shape.

3. Decide placement on the quilt.

4. Layer the shapes to know the order.

5. Baste the shapes.

6. Applique using needle-turn method.

Modern technique

1. As in the traditional method, choose a fabric for the Broderie Perse applique that has a similar background color to the background of the quilt. Keep in mind scale and era of the quilt.

2. Cut the shapes out, following the shape of the design.

3. Lay fusible webbing over the shapes and trace directly onto the paper.

4. Incorporating a 1/4-inch seam allowance, cut around the traced designs with paper scissors.

5. Fuse the webbing to the wrong side of each shape. The webbing should be against the shape.

6. Cut the shapes out again, this time on the lines. Peel off the paper backing.

7. Arrange the shapes.

8. Fuse by ironing.

9. If desired, machine-applique or buttonhole-stitch around the shapes.

Antique Pattern Drafting
Look at the quilt and determine the original block size. Break it down into manageable concepts, with the first step being determining block size and work your way down to unit sizes. Determine the size of each template. Draft the shapes either on the computer or by hand on graph paper to make hand-piecing templates. Then determine the size strips needed for quick-piecing. For a true reproduction, keep in mind the look of the original quilting.