Franklin Star Trio

2012 presentation with antique quilts

I first saw this string quilt in 2012.
It was a presentation at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall.
Little did I know this quilt had a future story for me.

I like the layout, rather dark indigo setting and the unusual eccentric print around the stars.

I wasn't sure I would ever see the quilt again.  It was added to the mental bucket list of wouldn't it be a good one to recreate?

Fast forward a year and Jeananne, the owner became my quilt appraiser and friend.  She has so many fantastic quilts in her collection - this one just kept 'speaking' to me - the way quilts do.

String star before setting diamonds

One very cold and snowy day this winter we decided it was time to recreate the quilt.

We did some measuring and penciled up our pattern, dug into our stash - and worked up our first stars.

Each diamond in the star averages about 9 pieces of fabric like the original.

I learned that string piecing takes longer than I had estimated - but I enjoyed the flexibility.

Franklin Star Backing Seams

One of the many things I like about the antique is the backing - home dyed, butted whip stitch seam with selvages in tact.

We dyed our backing fabric - trying to keep it splotchy.
I hand whip stitched my backing seam and left the selvages on.

We did have them machine quilted - as much as I LOVE the hand quilting on this one - I also wanted it done to use and enjoy NOW.

Franklin Star Trio of quilts

Here are the three quilts together.

The original is on top. (left side)
Mine is in the center.
Jeananne's quilt is on the bottom, she used 20% period/vintage fabric in the strings.

Jeananne purchased the c. 1890 original in Franklin Tennessee.
It measures 58" x 75"
Back to front binding, hand quilted fans.

Reproduction Frankin Star by Jeananne Olsen Wright

This is Jeananne's completed quilt.
Start to finish 8 weeks - February - March 2015

Note the lower two rows are very scrappy setting diamonds - like the original.

She has more vintage/antique fabrics used in hers.

My Reproduction Frankin Star

This is my Frankin Star - fun memories.
Back to front 1" binding, hand stitched down.
I think my long arm quilter Jewel, was less than impressed.
As she had it ready to quilt she contacted me and asked if maybe I forgot the border - - or something it wasn't quite right.  I assured her it was OK. I thanked her for her diligent concern, and explained it was intended to be just like the circa 1890 original.  It will never be in a show, even though she did fantastic quilting.

Note the black border at the top - the only black border on the quilt.  No border at the bottom, just indigo triangles.  The right side has yet another size inset wedge.  The left side is another smaller inset piece.  No side the same, another endearing feature.
I hope you enjoyed this fun project, Jeananne has a great eye for quilts  - - DAWN