Saturday, August 21, 2010

A Vacation Souvenir


Our family vacations usually center around what my husband and kids enjoy -- Civil War battlefields or other historic sites, dinosaur museums, zoos, aquariums... It sometimes feels like I’m just along for the ride. 

The best vacations though have something for everyone. Our trip out West included a stop at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, home to both dinosaurs and an impressive collection of Montana quilts!


This spunky nine-patch was my favorite! Made by Mollie Stine for her daughter Alice, it traveled with the family from Missouri to Montana in 1898. Details of their covered wagon trek were documented in a Bozeman newspaper (below).

double CLICK to read

The 224 nine-patch blocks really pack a punch! They're made from an astounding array of brown prints that manage to hold their own against a very bold cheddar. This interplay of color is what gives the quilt such energy.


When we got home, I pieced 80+ nine-patch blocks, with full intentions of duplicating the entire Stine quilt. Instead, I got waylaid by MS and had to pack everything up. I wish I had more than just the memory of that quilt as my vacation souvenir. 

Maybe I'll make a doll quilt for myself and share the rest of the blocks with friends. This Judy Rothermel print from Vicki's fabric giveaway might make a nice border.


I guess it's better to use up what I already have than pretend I’ll ever make more.

UPDATED June 2018: Well, I finally got around to sending Barb some blocks. Hope there's no expiration on good intentions!


10 comments:

  1. really fabulous antique quilt and i can certainly see how it would inspire you to make some of your own similar 4-patches~!

    the Judie Rothermel fabric works beautifully with them and i love that you are able to bring an unfinished project to such a generous end. good for you~!!~

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  2. How wonderful that the antique quilt still has its story!

    When you kit up your blocks, why not include the story with them (the antique and your own)?

    Best wishes!

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  3. Mmmm, no wonder you thought you would reproduce it! I love it! What a great quilt this is! YOur doll quilt will be beautiful!

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  4. Thank you Diane for the interesting article. It's so nice to read about the people behind all those olde quilts.

    It's a lovely quilt indeed. You know most times it's the simplicity and humbleness of the block that makes the quilt even more so endearing.

    Can't wait to see you doll quilt!

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  5. Hi Diane!
    what a great quilt - and what a nice thought for "ladies".

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  6. And a bird in the hand will make up a beautiful quilt! Glad you've decided to use the blocks *s*

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  7. Gorgeous little 9 patches and they do "spark" with that Judy Rothermel fabric. I like your idea to make a doll quilt and then kit up the rest. It will be a smash hit with your friends for sure!

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  8. ooh, that original is pretty. I love how the 9-Patches almost read as solid blocks but don't. I'm glad you're getting to fondle fabric and blocks.

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  9. What a great idea for re-purposing your UFO. I love the little nine patch blocks and the brown and cheddar looks great. Funny, I was playing with little brown scrap squares today and, after trying and trying different brown and red fabrics for the border, wound up with cheddar.

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