The other day I made a trip to the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum in Woodbury NJ

to view the antique quilt exhibit currently on display.  I am so glad I went the quilts were amazing.

It was well worth the trip and if your anywhere near this Museum or even if you have to drive a few hours like I did  make the time to go see this exhibit you won't be disappointed.  I loved that I was able to see quilts that I have admired in the New Jersey Quilts 1777 to 1950 quilt documentation book in person.  ( a must have book if your interested in antique quilts btw!)

Carolyn emailed me and said you MUST go you will love it.  She was right!  Carolyn blogged about the exhibit as well.  My next few posts will be about the exhibit.  I am going to focus on the fabrics that caught my attention and the incredible display of sewing tools through out the exhibit.  I have never seen this many sewing tools in a museum before, it was incredible.  My love of sewing tools comes from admiring my friend Judy's  extensive collection.

 can you imagine having to make your own measuring tape?  Yes you can see the hand written numbers on this homemade measuring tape!

 look at the pin cushion I have seen quite a few of these lately on blogs where people are making them again.  just look at that  red appliquéd block wouldn't you love to have a bolt of that turkey red?  I WOULD! and speaking of turkey reds ah yes I would love a few bolts of these too please!  And that poison green....don't you wish the fabric companies would print more of these fabrics?

 I LOVED this quilt the blocks were just beautiful and fun to see the one block on the bottom was a maroon instead of turkey red like the rest of the blocks, hmmm, wonder if she was a rebel in the group?
Isn't this a beautiful appliqué block?

beautiful chintz fabric , so well preserved , loved looking at all the fabrics in this quilt

ok another fun block in a quilt, hmmm chrome yellow with all these other fabrics, makes you wonder why?  but then again look above it , lancaster blue , these two blocks are in the center of the quilt just where the pillow is folded, not hidden off to the side, just makes you think doesn't it?  

Another interesting quilt with wonderful fabrics to look at.  I love blocks like this where they blend together rather then contrast.  Always makes you look at these blocks!  I have learned over the years from studying antique quilts these are what make scrappy quilts interesting to me, so I have adopted this blended look blocks in my quilts as a result