Box of Treasures

Not only do I have my own UFOs but I have picked up other UFOs through the years. I think most of these came from the same gal, but I can't be sure. Last year I went to a trunk show by Darlene Zimmerman who showed several quilts that she had finished from vintage blocks. I was inspired to dig mine out and finish a quilt.


The vintage fabrics are just wonderful. I have 63 of these fan shapes, all hand pieced. I am really not sure how to finish them.


There are 20 of these dresden plates. some have the outter edge basted and only one has the center. I have a ton of the 9 patches and I think this is the first set of vintage squared I will tackle. I invision them done with alternating minty green solid squares. Sounds like I need to go shopping.

Here is another pieced block included in the stack of vintage work. Not sure where she was going with this one. I do have several of the patterns as well as some articles the previous owner was using, maybe I will find a clue.
This the the box that everything was stacked upon. It has some newspaper clippings from 1979 from the Adair County Free Press in Greenfield, Iowa. There were several templates, including one for the fans and for the nine patches. There is also a lsit of Kansas City Star patterns, some cut diamonds and some block patters. And a pieced block that looks like a variation on Churn Dash.
I think this fish block could be great...

An applique pattern that was in the box...

1849 Applique blocks

The blocks were purchased from an antique store over 25 years ago when we lived in Northern California. (way north near the Oregon border) I would guess they are around 16" squares, and isn't the applique beautiful. Does any one know the name of the pattern? I think it would make a stunning quilt.








The following tag has been attached to the blocks since they were purchased. I brought them in to work for the Curator of Collections, my friend Jenny, to examine. The fabrics would date the the mid 1800s and it was thought the tag would be accurate.





The back of the block shows off the tiny applique stitches. The muslin is a bit stained but the print fabric is in good condition. The blocks, until recently, had been folded in quarters, so I fear the fold lines are now permanent.