Tuesday, February 22, 2011


I love buying antique quilt blocks and then using them as inspiration for my quilts.
I bought this block and was surprised to find that the background fabric was actually a feed sack from the Morton Salt company if you look closely at the block you can make out the words. Thanks Judy for figuring that out!
Well after talking to a few of my antique quilt historian friends I was lucky that Sandra Starley found out a bit more information for me as far as dating the block. Here is what she said
I found out some more info on your goose block-- Morton Salt has roots back
to 1848 but was incorporated with the "Morton Salt Company" name in 1910 so
the block wouldn't be any earlier than that.
There is circa 1940's ocean wave 9 patch quilt with very similar fabric at
Deb Rowden's blog, click on the last photo
So exciting to see this fabric in another quilt!
Thanks Sandra. visit her other blog Textile Time Travels as well....great antique quilts!


Now to decide blue binding or the shirting? What do you think you would do a blue or shirting?
another view

Nice to own another 2 color quilt looking forward to finishing this quilt this week.
I started another 2 color quilt yesterday think ST Patrick's day! it will be here before we know it!

53 comments:

Carol said...

What a great block...love the history. Great quilt Kathy...you've done it again. I think blue binding to frame it. JMHO...

Sue said...

I love Goose in the Pond. I think a shirting would finish it off nicely.

Barb said...

This is one amazing block....and the quilt is stunning.

5Foot1 said...

Lovely block. I particularly like the different fabric in that one square.

Mary said...

Oh my! I love this block! What a fantastic quilt!

Cheryl said...

Great two color quilt! You can wrap it up and send it my way!

Binding? Shirting or a contrasting color like pink. I think that was a recommendation at one time from Ann from the Quilt Lab.

Vicky said...

I'd bind it in shirting. I think the blue would draw the eye away from the center of the quilt, and with a quilt that gorgeous, I'd want the focus on the blocks. JMO!

Sujata said...

Kathie,
Such a beautiful quilt!
This reminds me of a quilt I made long time ago.. also the two color quilt.
I have to send the picture. You have inspired me to finish quilting it.
For some reason this one calls for a blue binding for me!

Crispy said...

Beautiful!! My first impression is to use blue :0)

Crispy

Nyla said...

Wonderful block. Lovely quilt. I would do blue binding to set it off nicely. Also, thanks for the links!

Karen said...

Thank-you for sharing the Antique block and its story as you know it! I just love seeing older quilts and blocks! I see you loved it enough to reproduce it. I think a blue binding would be best. :0)

Vicki said...

Love the Goose Tracks quilt - looks like snowflakes when set on point. I usually use a darker binding to frame the quilt, so I vote for blue. You've been busy!

Terrie Sandelin said...

Beautiful block and quilt -- I really love how the nine patch sashing squares echo the block and set off each one individually.

Sandra said...

You are most welcome, glad to help.
I would bind it in the blue to make a crispy finish.

Come see my new 1850 quaker signature quilt in turkey reds.

Lurline said...

A little beauty, Kathie!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Carolyn said...

This is a gmta thing! I just finished a red and white goose on the pond top and am working on getting it marked. It also is on point, I added a one inch inside border before the white border and I am planning on binding mine in the red. However, that decision will be made after the quilting. Sometimes they take on their own life and scream something other than what you have planned.

WhiteStone said...

Simply Stunning with the blue/white.

I vote for blue binding but in my mind's eye I can also see the loveliness of a binding matching the background fabric.

Hope you will post "after" photos.

Donna in SW PA said...

Wonder Quilt!!!!

Dixie said...

Really love this quilt and the story behind it. Blue and white quilts are just the best! I think blue binding would be perfect on this quilt!

Sue said...

Oh that is so cool! What a great piece of history:D

I love the quilt and either way on the binding would work. I kind of like the idea of a blue binding though. Oh I just love blue and white quilts!

Lori said...

It looks wonderful Kathie!! Love the old block too. I think either shirting or blue would look great for the binding.

WoolenSails said...

Beautiful piece for inspiration, love how your piece came out. I think both colors would look nice, but I tend to put the darker colors as borders.

Debbie

Betty Lou said...

I love two color quilts, I have two that I rescued and I don't know either's pattern. Someday I wlll show them on my blog and see if someone knows. Check my last post, lots fo dresses from the Civil War Museum.

Mary L. said...

Great job and beautiful quilt.

Pat said...

Kathie, great block and beautiful quilt. I would go with a blue binding. Have missed you lately.

Happy Cottage Quilter said...

Great quilt! I love two color quilts.

Sue said...

This is a beautiful quilt! Wow!

regan said...

This quilt is gorgeous! I love it! I would definitely do the blue binding. I love love love the cornerstone 9-patches in your sashings! Sweet!

Mary said...

Really nice quilt!!! I'd say blue to stop the eye from leaving the quilt. Same premise as in matting and framing art.

I saw the quilty video you shared with (sorry - don't remember which blog). It really did make me smile!

Anderson cottage said...

what a fantastic bloc, love marion from holland

Janet said...

Blue and white is such a crisp, classic combination. Your quilt is wonderful - I love it! I vote for shirting as the binding so your attention stays in the centre of the quilt. The old block is marvelous. I love how the plaid when cut small in the 9 patches can look so different. :0)

Taryn said...

What an exciting find! I tip my hat to you for finishing another 2-color quilt. I love them so much but find it hard to stick with making them. Personally, I would probably go with blue for the binding. My antique two-color quilts have the "color" as the binding and with the shirting I think it feels a little like "falling off the edge." Lovely quilt!

Julia said...

Just beautiful...
Julia ♥

Janet said...

Fabulous quilt Kathie! I love the antique block and how fun to be able to do a bit of detective work on it. I vote blue binding to frame it and keep the eye in the quilt. What's the video Mary was referring to? Do tell.

Dora, the Quilter said...

I absolutely love that Goose in the Pond block; it has been one of my favorites since I started making quilts back in the 1970's. I've used it in pillows and sampler quilts, even drafted and used it in 12" block size. Hmmmm....might be time to make at least a prayer quilt with that one!

Merilyn said...

It certainly is a great block, I love your quilt! I would probably opt for a blue binding to frame the quilt.

Miriam said...

That block was a great find!
Your quilt looks wonderful! I love the 2 colour effect. I would go for a blue binding too.
Is there a green and white quilt coming???

Michelle said...

Love that old block and the feedsack background!

My first instinct was to go with blue binding, but now I think I'd do the shirting just because its' a little different.

Linda C said...

Love your new quilt Kathie. We have been hunting for ideas to make some red and white quilts with stashbusters. This could be a contender!! Only 3 more weeks of sleeps!!!!

Carrie P. said...

that is so cool that you got more info about your block. The plaid is really neat. Creates a lot of movement. Neat to see the fabric in the other quilt too.

Sharon said...

What a beautiful quilt - I LOVE blue and white quilts! This is one of my fave blocks too. Just wonderful - I'm jealous!

And I really enjoyed seeing your inspiration block. Love the plaid in it, and especially the one little square that doesn't match. What fun!

Lisa said...

Kathie, I vote for shirting, but it looks like the voting is pretty even, so I think you will still have to decide which. :) I love the antique block. What a great show and tell!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh love those blocks! I would go with a shirting binding. But I"m sure a blue one would look good too. I've been wanting to make a quilt with that block. I love yours!

Kathi said...

I love your new header for your blog. It really is such a perfect expression of you as a quilter!
Love the new indigo and white top as well. That block captivated me when I was a new quilter, but I was put off by the number of pieces. It's nice to see an 'old friend' again done in such good colors.

Cathy said...

Love your quilt and your inspiration block. Yesterday I bought an antique quilt from the 30's. Slightly worn but adorable. I want to make a copy in country colors. Hugs

Jan said...

Well, I am not sure how I missed this post, but...I don't think that you can go wrong with either blue or light for the binding. It's a beauty; just love the blue and "whites". When I first began quilting I thought that would be all that I made because I loved them so much!

AnneElizablog said...

This is off-topic but I love your new "banner" - it's fabulous. I'm a big fan of your work.

Ann Champion said...

What a fun inspiration block. I LOVE the quilt you made!
I always go for a dark binding. That's the part of a quilt that will show soiling if used. It also reigns the eye inward. :)

Victoria @ BUMBLE BEANS said...

It's beautiful! can't wait to see this beauty quilted! amazing.

Diane said...

WOW, what a fabulous new blog header!

donna said...

What a neat block. It is always so interesting to find out the history. Oh by the way I love your new heading.
Hugs
donna

LuAnn said...

Your post reminded me of some antique blocks I bought a few months back. Love your quilt. Definitely blue binding.

Sandra said...

This is a great block. It is simplistic, yet the two color effect makes the overall design very interesting. Would the original block have been pieced on a treadle machine?