Barbara Brackman's Snake Quilts

Isn't this a stunning antique Snake quilt? This is just one of 16 that Barbara Brackman is showing on her blog. She's been collecting photos of snake quilt variations for several years. I like how the cheddar blocks and the red block brighten this one up. And the high contrast snake segments look great. I've never considered making a Snake quilt until now. Another addition to my "To Make" list!

If you've made a Snake quilt, please email a photo (karengriska@optonline.net) and I'll post it here. If we get a bunch it will make an awesome exhibit for the Online Quilt Museum too.

Selvages from the 1800's

You all know of Barbara Brackman, quilt historian and prolific author from Kansas. She has a very interesting post on her blog about selvages, bolt stamps and bolt labels. The bolt stamp on the selvage above is from about 1800. Under the crown it says "British Manufactory."

The image above, printed on muslin, was found on the back of this Double Irish Chain quilt top. Barbara says this is probably a bolt stamp, like a selvage marking. It says: "Finished Soft for the Sewing Machine."

Above is an example of the paper bolt labels that were used in the 1800's. They became more elaborate as printing capabilities improved. Then, in the 1900's printing on the selvage became popular again. Read more on this topic at Barbara's blog: www.barbarabrackman.blogspot.com.

She even shows a selvage block by May Britt.