Featured Doll's Bed Quilt.....

Hi All! I have a doll's bed quilt that I believe was done sometime in the later 1800s on Block Island, by some one of the BI women.....each square is approximately 1/2" in size. The size of the quilt is 16" by 19 & 1/2", and the dollar bill helps show the size. The history is that in 1905 the Steamer "Spartan" ran aground off Block Island. She was also carrying bolts and bolts and bolts of Calico fabric in many colors. When that washed ashore, it was all salvaged and washed by the women, and dried on a HUGE hill which to this day is called "Calico Hill". From what I also gather, the BI women were nicely attired in lovely calico dresses!!!! In 1960, sometime after my Mom had acquired the little quilt, her very "senior" friend who did all kinds of sewing, sewed the backing with some remaining calico fabric remnants from the Spartan that she still had!!! I Love the quilt and plan on having it "shadow box" type framed with the post card I have of the Spartan by a well respected Art store/Framer. I am assuming this may have some either collector or historic value???????? Thank YOU for any/all input!!!!

I imagine it MIGHT help if I posted the pictures!!!!!

 

Can we see it?

 

HA!!!! You beat me to my error!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

LOVE IT!!!!

 

Thanks King, I do too....will have to print up the story that goes along with it when I get it 'framed'!!!!

 

each square is approximately 1/2" in size

Aquitaine, that quilt is absolutely delightful!

Can you image what a pain it must have been to piece all those tiny squares together??? I've done more than my share of patchwork quilts, but never with pieces anywhere near that small! Very cool, for sure.

Were it mine, I'd be framing it, too!

 

No cable tv...
And maybe their hands were quite small.

 

It was a "thing" for a while, and some quilters still do it. I have a vest made mostly of squares that are 1x1 inch. (and no I didn't make it) It's a test of skill, dexterity, and sanity.

 

That's so sweet.

 

Thanks, PIvy!! I really wanted to get past the holidays before taking it in for an estimate on the framing.....I have a pretty good idea it will be at least a couple of hundred.....but I want it done 'right' too!!!!

 

The third of which I would absolutely LOSE if I even thought of trying anything THAT small!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes it will be worth it, You most likely know this already but just in case make sure they use acid free backing inside the frame to mount the quilt on.

 

What a lovely quilt Thanks for sharing this!

What a great piece of history - maybe print that information out and tuck it into the frame for future generations.

 

Absolutely!!!! And Thanks!!!!

 

Thanks Book.....hoping to finally get to it in the next few weeks!!!!!

 

I love both the quilt and the story that goes with it!