Announcing Mary Witherwax

We are back from vacation and have an exciting fall lineup coming with several new patterns, the book shipment, trunk shows and more blog posts!

I've been busy stitching samples.

We do all of our own stitching and quilting by hand.  Fun - but it does take longer.  The results are worth it and we hear that repeatedly when we show the antiques and reproductions.

First - Mary Witherwax

We purchased this treasure at auction and have the full story to share - Mary's life and the area with a Dutch connection.

c. 1850
Measures 85" x 71.5"

The full size digital pattern is available for instant download now, using the link HERE.

The pattern includes all of the blocks, alternate blocks designed by us, a full alphabet and the borders.  $45 USD.    57 print pages.

The pattern works up beautifully in many fabric color ways.

This pastel wall hanging uses a few of the blocks and letters to make a wonderful gift. It's a pattern you can use over!

Mary Witherwax was a creative young woman!

This example uses a couple of the bonus alternate blocks,

I chose my reproduction to be a family name quilt.

Every block is a joy to make and hard to put down.

There will be a private Facebook group for those with the pattern that want to join.  See the details on the pattern page.  No pressure - just a fun place to share your progress. Lots of history about the quilt and Mary will be shared.
Even a few prizes along the way!

Please let us know if you have questions!
Happy Stitching,
Dawn

My Book Antique American Needlework Tools

Project Start:  2014

Fed Ex just delivered a very special box!

The "Printers Proof" for my Book - along with a celebratory bottle of wine.  Quite exciting to see it in print - I think you will like it too.

So what's next?

In the next 6-8 weeks the books will arrive.
I have a listing in the Etsy shop for signed copies along with a free postage & bookmark.
There are preview pages on the listing.
HERE:  Book.  ON VACATION - will reopen the Etsy shop at the end of August.



Along with the book we have a line of patterns related to special sewing accessories - also available soon.  Our new appliqué pattern is also at the printer and we have decided to offer it digitally as well.
Details to follow!

I have lectures and book signing events scheduled this year and next. Including Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and The Netherlands.  I would love to visit your group! Contact me and I can work with your events coordinator - or have them contact me directly.
I can custom tailor a lecture and workshop just for your group! Quilting and or Embroidery.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Happy Stitching,
Dawn

PS
I have distributor information for International shops - contact me, I'd love to have you stock the book.
US Shops: https://www.schifferbooks.com/contact-us.html

Harrison Rose Finished

Congratulations to Michelle for her wonderful finish of her quilt, Harrison Rose.

Michelle gave permission to share this photo of her finished quilt on a king sized bed. Yes, many early appliqué antique quilts were very large!

Beautiful Quilt!
Beautiful Room!

We are so honored Michele used our pattern!

Michelle hand appliquéd and hand quilted her quilt.

She used all solid fabrics.

She chose to run her straight line quilting through the appliqué.

She used the feathered wreath motifs included with the pattern in her quilting.

She used Hobbs Heirloom batting.

The border is quilted in coral colored thread, the main center of the quilt is quilted in cream thread.

She used a "straighter" feather motif in the border than the one included with the pattern.

She also changed the color pallet of the applique, making the quilt "her own" - adding her own choices!


Didn't she do a wonderful job?
She's created a beautiful heirloom!



Happy Stitching,
Dawn
Our Harrison Rose Pattern is available HERE.
Read more about Harrison Rose HERE.
See other Harrison Rose finishes HERE and HERE
If you have a finish you would like to include, please us know!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!

Maybe a little stitching time here!

Have fun,

Dawn

Proud Finishes

Some wonderful finishes to share.

Florence finished her Catherine's Garden quilt.

She used reproduction fabrics.
Hand Applique
Hand Quilting - following the original quilting lines shown on the pattern.  She then went back in and added even more!

Isn't it beautiful?
Three years on and off with other projects in between , including moving.

For the ground fabric she used 'Lately Arrived' by Barbara Brackman from her stash.

She reports it was especially nice to hand quilt and she wished she bought more.

All cotton batting.
She quilts in a hoop - the same hoop she's enjoyed for the past 30 years of quilting.

The center of her quilt.

 "I will say it was the most fun quilting project ever - the background fabric was just wonderful for quilting and so much space quilt on and I just kept adding more and more!"

It was fun to see photos of Flo's quilt as she worked on it.  It was an honor for us to have a collector of magnificent antique quilts, make one of ours.

Thank you Flo for sharing your work!

Lee Anne has her Calico Paradise ready for quilting.

She is planning to hand quilt, possibly with pearl cotton and maybe a big stitch.

She had a very special red that is hard to find for the border.  In order to stretch it, she added 8 blocks to the border.
Great look!!

Lee Anne you captured the original look perfectly - thanks for sharing.

Send more photos of the quilting, we'd love to see it.

The choice of fabrics is perfect.

They sparkle in the summer sunshine.

There is a new line of fabrics due out soon - similar color ways perfect for this quit - stay tuned for more details this summer.  I'm particularly interested in the double blue - could be stock up time!

Joy shared her quilt all hand stitched by her.
She combined three or four old patterns in a way that appealed to her.

It measures 71" x 71"

Perfect to hang behind a king size bed.  She has a king size Pot of Flowers/Pride of Iowa quilt she has planned.  What a room that will be!

The fabrics are all from a reproduction fabric line from Laurene Sinema of Phoenix.

This quilt was exhibited in Chicago and Houston in 2017 in "Traditional Appliqué".

Joy uses wool batting.

Incredible quilting - look at the wonderful texture!

Thank you for sharing Joy!

Pip has her Calico Paradise well under way. I have ALWAYS wanted to see this quilt in
Kaffe/Brights.

She swapped out some of the madder for turquoise.

Don't you love the multi colored leaves?

For the very center she used a classic Kaffe print.

Fun combination of dots and stripes!

Pip lives in Australia. I often think about the original maker and how she would have marveled at our fabrics and the distance we can share our quilting projects.





The color glows!
Love the variety of prints and how they all work together.

Thanks to all the quilters who shared their beautiful work.
Email me if you have photos you would like me to share.

Happy Stitching!
Dawn