Pennsylvania 2018

Part of Boat House Row

I just completed my annual whirlwind trip to Pennsylvania.  My son used to row crew in the summers for the Penn Athletic Club on the Schuykill. After his career changed, I kept going adjusting the dates to textile activities.
While the Philadelphia airport and car rentals leave a lot to be desired - the city and surrounding areas make up for it.





After arrival I only had about a half day left for shopping, but I made the most of it.

This was an interesting button cabinet.
The drawers slid open from the back. All customers could see were the samples on the front.  The button cards were replacements, all the rest was original.
If you enlarge the photo, I think you can see the claim, "Either Side The Right Side - Both Sides The Same"

It is all metal.

I saw lots of tempting display cases and small counter display units.

I can always count on seeing lots of dolls and clothing.

This dealer also has lots of interesting trims and accessories.

I bought a small silk reticule I will share on a future post.

The samplers are always tempting. 

This one is quite large, but still colorful.

Cross Stitched on canvas

Some small losses in the threads

I love tiger maple and the grain on this doll bed

is spectacular. Unfortunately I pledged before I left - no 

more doll beds. Stay tuned to see if that pledge worked!

There were ample temptations in 

antique quilts.  This example was entirely hand stitched.

Day 2, I met up with Ann Hermes - 

Notes From The Quilt Lab

(On Instagram and Facebook)

We had a great time - I took fewer photos.

TOO BUSY TALKING?

Even the buildings are fun.

Beautiful burl maple cabinet.

Finely made - Possibly original hardware.

Irish Crochet Ladies Reticule

Silk ribbon drawstring top

While we shopped the dealers were setting up 

at Penn Dry Goods Market.  They posted temptations like this

to Facebook.

Did I mention saw a lot of quilts?

In fact, there were racks and piles of quilts!

The next day we also shopped.

I made many purchases I will get posted.

Ann posted hers - so look for her on Instagram and FB

for great photos.

Vibrant Orange - my photo looks gold
Fantastic Quilt!

I decided to buy another suitcase rather 

than pack and ship a box home.

Rosewood sewing box

Chrome yellow paper lining

Mother of pearl heart inlays

The next day was the Penn Dry Goods Market

It is two days of solid Lectures and shopping - 

you determine your own schedule.

I started the day with Linda Baumgarten and quilts

from Colonial Williamsburg.

Then I shopped the vendors for an hour.

Yes, I did find treasures - some from that case I 

showed you above.

Then it was back to the lecture room.

Beverley Evans shared her private collection

of Virginia quilts and asked for input. 

She is writing a book so we can't share much.

The quilting is this example is wonderful.

Fringe Detail

Evans Collection

Lunch was on site and I did some more shopping.

In the afternoon I attended a lecture by Lynn Tinley, Adjunct Professor,

American History at Oglethorpe University

"Frolicking People and Fantastic Bands: 18th Century Rhode Island Samplers"

Some of THE MOST beautiful samplers

Then, because we needed to see more quilts...

A group of us went to Ann's to see her enchanted home!

She shared a portion of her quilts - maybe 50 crib quilts.

All delightful.

You can see Ann's reproduction needle work in many

current quilt publications.

THANK YOU ANN!

The Schwenkfelder Gallery had a beautiful exhibit of samplers

The next day I attended a lecture by dealer and scholar Bill Subject.

His topic was missionary samplers.

See an example HERE.

(Scroll down to Dwight Mission Sampler)

I shopped some more

Velvet Cap Pincushion

Two more lectures

American Quilts in the National Collection - Madelyn Shaw

See online photos HERE.

Dressing For The Heat - 18th Century Summer Clothing

Neal Hurst, Associate Curator of Costume and Textiles 

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

See Colonial Williamsburg Quilts HERE.

Clothing HERE

All too soon it was time to say goodbye!

I hope you enjoyed the post, if so do you have a favorite photos?

Happy Travels,

Dawn