Friday, October 21, 2011


Awhile ago my friend Lorre bought an antique quilt, I just loved it, besides nine patches I love making stars!
I knew I had to reproduce this quilt. Above is my version of the quilt. Instead of making a quilt inspired by an antique quilt this time I was going to try and reproduce this quilt as closely as I could. I spent a few months collecting fabrics and swapping with friends (special thanks to Mary Jo) for some of the odd fabrics in this quilt.

Here is the antique quilt , I was lucky she lent it to me to study and reproduce. Yes, I have permission to share this with you as well.

So do you think its a pretty close reproduction? I thought I would share with you my process of making this quilt.
I thought the quiltmaker was bold with some of the fabric choices in the blocks, I loved how the quilt is such a mixture of light and very dark blocks, something I don't see often in quilts today. I have to admit it was hard not to change the quilt to fit into "our" way of making quilts today! I was determined not to. I learned a lot by making this quilt, fabric combo's on the blocks, she used what she had in some of the blocks, all the fabrics what not the same but the color was. black was black, beige was beige just use it!

first I just started making a few blocks

auditioning fabrics

next the blocks go on the wall and then I start pinning fabrics I will make blocks with onto the design wall in their spot on the quilt. This is my way of getting ready for sewing the next day. I normally tried to have 5 star fabric choices pinned on the wall ready to sew the next morning.

a close up of some blocks....

now to decide how to quilt it, by hand or custom quilted by Lorre on the long arm.
any suggestions????

74 comments:

Heidi said...

You did a fabulous job! The quilt is beautiful and a very close reproduction - and, it seems to me, if you put that much time and effort into recreating this quilt, why not take it to the finish line with some beautiful ( and or simple) hand quilting?
Eager to see what you decide!

Lucy said...

Thank you so much for sharing this quilt with us. I love to see how your reproduction came together. You used lovely fabrics Kathie. Great job.

Elyte said...

Loved hearing the process of putting this reproduction together. As for the quilting, shouldn't you stick to the original method?

Taryn said...

It is wonderful!!! I cannot tell the quilts apart. If you go with machine quilting I think the baptist fan would look good. Of course, I am always partial to hand quilting.

Caron Mosey said...

Shhhhh, did you hear that? Ahhhh, yes. It's your quilt saying, "stitch me by hand please." GORGEOUS!

Rachaeldaisy said...

What a fabulous quilt!! I love that you reproduced it as closely as possible. That pink is such a beautiful shade and sets off the wide variety of colours beautifully. How was the original quilt quilted? I guess seeing as you've made the quilt as similar to the other as possible you should quilt it in a similar way too?

Carol said...

Kathie I think I'm hyperventilating! It is amazing...I'd be hard pressed to tell the antique from yours...you did an AMAZING job!

Mayleen said...

You did a wonderful job on the quilt! I'd love to see it hand quilting or at least a machine quilted design faithful to the original quilt's era.

Ruth said...

It's beautiful! I love the way you tried to stay true to the original quilt! A great idea!

Kate said...

You've done a fabulous job reproducing the antique, Kathie! I adore double pink but have never been brave enough to use it. You seem to have no such qualms!!

Recently I have been collecting dp's for my version of Humble Quilts' Blind Mans' Fancy...

not so zen -quilts in Paris said...

My kind of quilts, definitely, hand or machinequilted, if well done, it will be gorgeous. Love from Paris, Will

Stephanie said...

Love the bold pink. I always appreciate you crediting your projects. This is a glorious replica of a lovely antique quilt. However you decide to quilt it will be wonderful I'm sure.

Jackie said...

After working to reproduce it so closely, I think it would be wonderful to quilt it as the original was quilted.

Nyla said...

Just love it Kathie, you did a great job recreating this old beauty! It would be a fun one to hand quilt with the wonderful fabrics and variety of blocks but I've become very accepting of long arm quilting and getting quilts done! This one looks like a keeper!

Cheryl said...

Fabulous! You amaze me. The pink setting blocks give it a wow factor. Since I can never finish a hand quilted project, I would choose the long arm route.

Barb said...

You are doing an awesome job reproducing this quilt...amazing!!

Colleen said...

WOW! That is awesome. It looks so very close to the original.

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Wonderful Kathie,thanks for sharing
how you recreated this lovely treasure! Whether you quilt by hand or machine--- either way will awesome!

Carolyn

Synthia said...

You have created a true treasure. Since you have recreated the original so carefully, I would hand quilt it, assuming the original was hand quilted.

Wieke van Keulen said...

It's a beauty, like all the things you make. Compliments from Holland!

Dixie said...

Wow, love how your quilt turned out - its amazing. Love your morning surprise quilt! I vote for hand quilting it.

MJinMichigan said...

It turned out great and looks really close to the antique quilt. I'd love to know how the antique was quilted but am sure Baptist fans by machine would look good on it. I was looking at my stack of star blocks waiting to be set together this past weekend and need to get back to them. Thanks for the inspiration!

Sue said...

Wow, your reproduction of the antique quilt is wonderful. I do love a good star quilt too. And I really love the pink in this one!

Mary Lou Casada said...

Awesome quilt!!! You have really captured the spirit of the original. That pink is phenomenal! I have about 6 yards of one of Jo Morton's pinks that I want to use -- you've got me thinking!!LOL and wanting to start a new project! Very cool!
Blessings,
Mary Lou

Karen said...

I like the way that the star points and the corners of the block are light. It looks like the star points are laying on top of the darker color. Makes an interesting block. Were there any blocks on the antique quilt that mixed in more than one darker fabric within a block or was it all one dark fabric to a block?

Me and My Stitches said...

This is wonderful! I love that you reproduced it using the "same" fabrics everywhere - awesome! I say definitely hand quilting.

Vicki said...

Beautiful! A huge success - looks just like the original. Thanks for sharing your process.

Lori said...

How fun!! The hunt for the "perfect" fabrics can be a joy too. Nice work Kathie!!!

Yvette said...

WOW! You did a great job. If you want it to really look antique then you have to hand quilt it.

Cathy said...

Wow. I really love both quilts. This quilt begs to be hand quilted. Maybe a Baptist Fan. Hugs

Darlene said...

Kathie!!!! This is simply stunning. Your reproduction of the antique is fabulous. Thank you for sharing your journey.

Janet O. said...

My thoughts echo so many others. You have worked hard to reproduce the original and have succeeded! Can't tell the two apart! Though some vintage quilts were machine quilted, that isn't the norm. I daresay to continue your efforts to make a true replica it would call for hand quilting.
Excellent job!!

Nifty Quilts said...

There is so much to learn in reproducing a quilt. I've never done this as precisely as you, but I hope to someday. In the spirit of reproduction, I would quilt it the same as the original. It's beautiful!

handmade said...

Wow !!!!!!!!! Love the quilt beautiful !!!!

Pat said...

Kathie, great and true reproduction. I would hand quilt. How is the orginal quilted? Can you reproduce the quilting? What age do you think the antique is?

Brenda said...

Your quilt is beautiful, you did a great job.

Mary said...

Wow! You did a beautiful job. For reproducing an antique, I'd hand quilt, definitely. Machine quilting belongs on more modern quilts, at least in my mind. I love the pink setting squares and your stars are fabulous!!!

Annette said...

I LOVE what you've accomplished. It's beautiful Kathie.

Karen said...

Oh my word - you are amazing. And I love that pink!! Do you know which one it is? It's a wonderful replication of the original!!!

Lucy said...

I keep looking from the original to yours. It is so interesting to see your fabric choices block by block.

Martha said...

You did an amazing job of copying the original quilt -- I really can't tell them apart! I think this may be my favorite quilt you've made (although that's a hard choice to make).

My vote -- definitely hand quilting for this beauty.

Marisa said...

This is too pretty not to hand quilt. It looks amazing. So beautiful!!!

liz said...

Love it was the antique quilt unquilted? Are you handquilting the 9 patch? Because if not handquilt this it will be spectular!

Jan said...

How cool that you were able to work right from the antique quilt top! I find it very fun to reproduce a quilt as closely as possible. It usually involves a photograph and a magnifying lens! I just love this star quilt that you made, and think that there are many options for quilting it. I know, I'm a big help, right?! But, machine or hand would both work, and I would like to see a different quilting design on the pieced blocks from the alternate pink blocks. Just seems like that could have been the way it would have been quilted originally.

Janet said...

I LOVE it! You've reproduced it so well and with some interesting fabrics. I adore the pink setting squares. Of course it would be amazing quilted by hand but I think if you wanted to be using and enjoying it right away custom quilting is a good option.

suzanne said...

If this quilt doesn't deserve hand quilting, what does?

WoolenSails said...

You did a beautiful job on the quilt, love the fabrics and blocks you made.

Debbie

Joanne said...

Great job!!
I am sure it will be amazing no matter which way you decide to quilt it.

Quilter Kathy said...

You did a terrific job reproducing the quilt! You can barely tell them apart! I enjoyed reading about how you constructed the quilt.

taylorsoutback said...

Outstanding job on reproducing the antique quilt...

Merilyn said...

Love the boldness of this quilt too!! It is fabulous, you're doing a great job with it!!! I'd probably get it longarm quilted!!! (maybe in Baptist Fan - very traditional) and because I just the B/Fan LOL!!!!!

Rita said...

I love this quilt! It's beautiful. It will look wonderful no matter how it's finished.

Miriam said...

What a wonderful reproduction you have created!
How long did it take to make? It must have taken ages to find all those fabrics that match so closely.

Amazing!

Supergoof said...

I adore the pink fabric!!!

sewprimitive karen said...

Gorgeous, you are the most superb quiltmaker. I think it's hard to use real light fabrics, too; good for you for staying in reproduction mode :-).

Donna K from N.TX aka Quilting Bear Gal said...

Absolutely fantastic repro quilt! Nice match to original.

Barb said...

Love that pink!!
You reproduced this quilt perfectly!
Can't wait to see how you quilt it - great scrap quilt!

ineke said...

Very very beautiful. greetings ineke

Ann Champion said...

You did a fabulous job of recreating this gorgeous quilt. I love the pink you chose too. It looks so close to the original.
I'd prefer hand quilting on this one, but I'm sure whatever you decide it will be like the icing on a cake.

pamina said...

wonderful repro Kathie !

Susie said...

Your repro is wonderful. I have been having a good time reproducing some oldies, too. Just did a patriotic one and sad it is finished since it was so much fun. Can enjoy it again this winter when hand quilting. I love the pink you chose.

pomegranateandchintz said...

A girl after my own heart - I love nine-patch and stars too!! Love both your quilts, and being me, I'd hand quilt the star one, maybe with a quarter inch double row an inch or inch and a half apart, on the diagonal? (If you get what I mean!)

Nicky said...

If you are trying to reproduce it I would look to the original - what a lovely way to cement your bond of friendship with matching quilts!

marianedwardsdreamweaver said...

oh WOW Kathie, your reproduction quilt is simply gorgeous..perfect in every way!! i love to hand quilt and this unique quilt deserves to be lovingly hand quilted, like the original..without a doubt!!

Janet said...

Wow, you really nailed this one, it looks fantastic. You must have had a lot of fun choosing the fabrics.

Maureen said...

Thanks for sharing this beautiful quilt and your process of reproducing it. I can't tell from the photos which is which - needed to look at your description. Great job!

Vivian said...

Reproducing the original closely was an exciting, challenging experience, I'm sure. Those double pinks are favorites of mine.
Have you decided whether to hand quilt or have it done by long arm?

Carrie P. said...

Well done, almost a perfect match. That is so cool.

Rose Marie said...

A gorgeous quilt ..... well done!

Helene Juul said...

I hope you get this one published and will us know so we can get the magazin and make our own version. It looks soooo nice. Would love to see the blocks close up and admire the fabrics.

Quilt Hollow said...

WOWZERS!!! A beauty!!!!! Lorre's custom quilting will be quicker and you can move on with your next project. LOL

Heartsdesire said...

A fabulous job on reproducing this quilt. The pink is wonderful, and I love those star blocks. If you have the time, hand quilting would be lovely. But I'm sure you are already on to the next quilt. I don't usually like a lot of quilting on a vintage-type quilt, so I would suggest something simple on the long arm.

Sandra said...

Excellent job on re-creating this great star quilt. Kudos.

Carole said...

Lovely as always! Curious as to what fabric you used for the pink? Hum... I cannot seem to make it out! Sweet! thanks for sharing!