Two Crazy Quilts at the American Folk Art Museum

These two star quilts are part of the "Super Star" Exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum. The quilt above was made by Mary Ann Crocker Hinman of New York State, 1880-1890. According to the info tag, this crazy quilt emphasizes piecing rather than embroidery. Well yes, but look at that embroidery below! This quilt is truly impressive in person.

This contained stars crazy quilt was made in Barnstead, New Hampshire (that's where my brother lives!) by a member of the McAllister family in 1885-1920. This quilt has a huge variety of fabrics and embroidery stitches. Notice how the 9 stars are not lined up like a Type-A person would do it? I like that; it adds charm. I also like the gold embroidery along the outer edge. I feel a crazy quilt coming on, don't you?

Bull's Eye Quilt

This stunning Bull's Eye quilt was made in Berk's County Pennsylvania in 1900-1920 by a member of the Alverda H. Hoffman Herb family. This is one of four similar quilts made around the same time in that vacinity. Imagine, after all that piecing, this quilter decided to add some applique and lots of hand-quilting too. I love this quilt and I'm glad it has found a good home, the American Folk Art Museum.

Improv Gee's Bend Star Quilt

This quilt was made by Leola Pettway of  Boykin (Gee's Bend), Alabama in 1990. It pulsates and glows on the periwinkle wall. An organized star on a random background. Two curved corners on the bottom mean that two stars are trimmed. Oh well! That's improvisation.

This quilt is part of the "Super Stars" exhibit currently at the American Folk Art Museum.

Tied Star Quilt at the American Folk Art Museum

Take a close look at the top photo. This is a whole cloth quilt, tied with pink and yellow yarn. There are star designs done in pink, and the background is done in yellow. The ties are approximately 1" apart. I've never seen a quilt where the main design element was made with tied yarn! The yarn is fuzzy from being washed. The maker is unknown. Dated 1900-1940. United States.

Cactus Rose Quilt Block

This framed Cactus Rose quilt block from Pennsylvania is on display at the American Folk Art Museum. The maker is unknown, dated 1855-1865. The block was a gift to the museum from Cyril Irwin Nelson in honor of Robert Bishop (director of the museum 1977-1991).

Isn't this a wonderful block? It's precise and relaxed at the same time. Classic 1800's colors too. This block is framed behind glass.

I went to the museum right after my guild meeting in NYC on Saturday. I had to walk from 28th Street to 66th Street! But it was worth it. More photos coming tomorrow.

Green Eyelash Wedding Ring Quilt

Lureca Outland of Boligee, Alabama made this wedding ring interpretation quilt in 1991. It's part of the current exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum. Helen and I searched to find "the block," but we couldn't. It's quite a puzzle to us how Lureca put this quilt together. Viewed from a distance, this bold colorful quilt is stunning.

Silk Log Cabin Quilt

Harriet Rutter Eagleson of New York City started this quilt in 1874, the year she married. It was given to the American Folk Art Museum in 1979 by her daughter Jessica Eagleson when Jessica was 99 years old.

Helen is memorizing this quilt because she has one like it on her bucket list. Like most quilters, she and I have very long bucket lists so I hope we all live as long as Jessica.

This quilt was made from silk and cotton. The border is dark red velvet.

Susan Arrowood's Bible Quilt

Susan Arrowood made this "Sacret Bibel" applique quilt top in 1875-1895 possibly in West Chester, PA. It illustrates Bible stories and includes her hand-written descriptions. I've seen this quilt in books so it was exciting to see it recently "in person" at the American Folk Art Museum in NYC.

The block below shows Jesus and His twelve disciples wearing black suits.

The caption below says "The angel guarding the sleeping man." Note the broderie perse flowers and the netting used for the angel wings. Such a creative one-of-a-kind quilt!

Baltimore-Style Album Quilt

This is one of the most impressive quilts on exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum. Look at the extensive detail in these blocks! It's from 1845-50 and was found in Uniontown, PA. Maker(s) unknown.

The three baskets like the one below are made from individual appliqued strips. This seems to be a bedspread; it has no batting.

Amazing Bindings

Here are two quilts from the exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum with edges that just blew my socks off! The Dresden plate below has a double scalloped edge.

Antique Hawaiian Flag Quilt

This Hawaiian Flag quilt is part of the current exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City.

And Happy Birthday to my sister, Lynne.

Soldier's Quilt

Yesterday after our guild meeting in New York City, Helen and I visited the American Folk Art Museum to see the second installment of their quilt exhibit. It was wonderful. This is one of my favorites. It's said to have been made by a soldier (around 1854-1890), probably in the US, the UK or Canada. That's really narrowing it down!

This type of quilt is known as a military quilt or a Crimean quilt. Most examples are found in Great Britain where recuperating soldiers made them out of wool used in the making of military uniforms. The wool seems to be felted. The workmanship is very precise, the colors are rich, and the design is stunning.