Monday, May 21, 2018

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

14 comments:

  1. You had a trip that lasts a lifetime! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. What a great trip you had! Favorite photo? I liked them all! Thanks for sharing

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  3. What a wonderful trip to Pennsylvania you had! So much shopping done, and so many interesting lectures; a trip to cherish for a long time, I guess, and I wonder what went home with you (I bet you could not resist the doll's bed ;)). My favourite photo? The handquilting close-up! Thanks for all the nice photo's and the interesting links!

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  4. What a wonderful few days packed with so many interesting talks, quilts, people, antiques. Favorite photo from your post? A tie between the green delectable mountains quilt and the quilting close up from Beverly Evans collection. Thanks so much for sharing your fun with us :0)

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  5. Oh my - all so scrumptious! And to absorb all that knowledge ~ I would have wanted a recorder so I could go back through and re-listen. That sounds like a dream trip to me.

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  6. Wow! What a trip! Getting another suitcase seemed like the logical solution to get your treasures home.

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  7. Looks like a larger size doll bed. The wood used is beautiful.

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  8. Oh that burl maplewood cabinet - what a beauty! You had a packed visit filled with many wonderful sounding moments. Please keep us posted regarding the Virginia quilt collection book when you hear more about its publication...

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  9. I haven't been to Pennsylvania in ages, would love to go down and again and check out the shops. Looks like they have a lot of nice textile goods.

    Debbie

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  10. A wonderful trip again. You saw so many treasures, how wonderful. Were you really able to resist that doll's bed ;-) . And then also interesting lectures and even more shopping, a great combination :-)

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  11. Favorite photo? I love the burl maple cabinet but the many quilts are just awsome too! You could have taken home a truck load!
    Looks like you had a very full but wonderful trip!

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  12. Lots of beautiful treasures, for sure. How much of the squeals of delight were you able to suppress to silence, lol

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  13. I thought that was a real hat! Looks like a great trip and lots of fun and I have a feeling that you did buy another doll bed in the end ! :) I think my favorite is that sewing box..wow! :)

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Thanks for your comments!