One thing I almost never regret buying is a good reference book.
Any time I come across a nice old quilt, I'm glad I invested in one particular book a few years ago.
It's the book "Dating Fabrics: A Color Guide 1800 - 1960" by Eileen Jahnke Trestain. Nope, there's not much of a plot, but if you love fabric, it's a page turner.
There are pages and pages of fabric swatch photos, arranged by era. It's really remarkable how, after paging through the book enough, you really start to get a sense of the style and colors of an era. The big paisley swatch is really similar to the paisley strips on the back of the quilt.
I wish I'd taken an overall picture of the back, which is gorgeous all on its own. It has long, narrow strips of the paisley, with wider strips of print and ticking stripes in between.
Another quilt, with different pages.
And the pink quilt, with examples of double-pink fabrics. If you think these are pretty, you should see the swatches from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Such wonderful prints, such great colors - it's quite a display.
OH Ah! Love it! Thanks!
Hugs, Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | September 15, 2009 at 08:27 PM
what a cool book, so love it!
Posted by: Jen | September 15, 2009 at 09:04 PM
I've almost bought this book a few times. It's a wonderful reference for those of us who love old fabrics and quilts. Our library system has it, so I check it out now and then.
You've found some truly wonderful things lately. I love the old quilts, the keys and the depression glass. LUcky you!
Posted by: Lena | September 15, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Ok. That's it. You can't post any more photos of the pink quilt because I want it and it is torture to keep seeing it! :)
Posted by: amy | September 16, 2009 at 10:53 AM
That book would be quite a feast for the eyes, for fabric lovers! And I agree with Amy. For the love of God, please stop showing that pink quilt! It's like nicotine to a smoker. Or crack to an addict. Or a really pretty pink quilt to someone who really wants that quilt!!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | September 16, 2009 at 01:01 PM
I bought that book too -- it's a great resource and I love looking at all the swatches. My favorite is the first quilt (thanks for showing a close-up of the blocks). I don't have many fabrics that old, but I do love them. I hope you're keeping that one -- it's a treasure.
Posted by: Martha | September 16, 2009 at 01:27 PM