Revisiting the Vermont Quilt Festival...Part 1

For those of you who know me personally, and perhaps for those just getting to know me better, my starting with the special exhibit of Antique Vermont Quilts isn't a surprise.
Quilting Buddy (from now on known as QB in my postings) and I took full advantage this year of all the Festival has to offer. Our first new (for us) activity was to attend the Gallery Talk sponsored by the Vermont Historical Society whose quilt collection was showcased in Patterns of History: Quilts from the Vermont Historical Society Collection. Only half of their holdings were featured, and these quilts were amazing! They ranged from whole cloth quilts from the early 1800's to a more modern day example- a commemorative quilt made in 1991- not quite an antique yet! The Gallery Talk was led by the current curator, Jacqueline Calder. Come join me in a walk through.



This wool, linen and cotton quilt in a Log Cabin Variation pattern was made by Ella Hay Harris of Ludlow, Vt. in the late 1800's. It was donated to the historical society in 1954 by Ina Harding Harris.



Donated to the historical society in 1974 by Joanna Reed Parks, the maker's granddaughter, this cotton quilt in the Indian Hatchet pattern was made by "Grandmother" Webster of Marshfield, VT in about 1800.



This cotton quilt is a Cherry Basket pattern and was made by Lucy Hale prior to her marriage in 1852. It was donated by Ina Harris Harding and Maude Harding Schults in 1954.



This North Carolina Lily cotton quilt was made by Martha M. Rosebrook of Morgan, VT in about 1850. It was donated to the society in 2000 by Richard Whitehall. If you look behind the Lily, you will see a White and Red cotton Feathered Star similar to a California Star pattern. It was made by Hattie Phillips of Sough Duxbury, VT. in about 1870. This quilt was donated by Mrs. Charles Willard in 1964.



This cotton Shoofly Quilt was created by the members of the Baptist Church of East Hardwick, VT. for their pastor, the Rev. Albert Vinton. Reverend Vinton served at the church from 1878 to 1881. It was donated by Emily Clark in 1967.



This stunning quilt is all wool! Teenaged sisters, Sarah and Anne Holt of Berlin, VT. made the quilt in 1838 making the vibrancy of the colors today mind-boggling! The stitching throughout the quilt is a swirling pattern that gives great movement to the piece and showcases the talents of the sisters. The sisters stitched both their names and the date on the quilt, making it possible to document its origins. It was purchased by the society in 2010.

Below is another quilt that boggled my mind! A Crazy Quilt Variation, made by Philea A. Spear of Waitsfield, VT. in 1909 at the age of 84.



Philea recorded that the quilt took 12,976 pieces of material. Take a closer look:



Incredible!!

To be continued.....

*** Note to my readers. I have tried to be extremely careful with the documentation of these photos. Should anyone notice that there is some misinformation please let me know as soon as possible so I can rectify my postings.