Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Old Sturbridge Village quilt heaven


Last weekend we had an unexpected snow, which added a little bit of magical charm to a morning at Old Sturbridge Village with the New England Quilt Study Group (a subset of the AQSG).

I felt a little shy about going on my own (the old "who will I sit with at lunch" middle school feeling), but once there, as is per usual with quilters, I found the room to be friendly and welcoming.  It was so fun to finally meet in person the delightful Wendy from Maine and her friends (Check out Wendy's blog The Constant Quilter);  Barb from Connecticut (Fun with Barb - another great quilter and blog); Carole and Tisa from Vermont, who were so welcoming to me back in October when I first joined this group; Laura from the NEQM, and others!

First we enjoyed an excellent presentation of 1830's-ish quilts.  This one was a "knock our socks off" quilt:


Who says antique quilts are drab?



Look here for more images and information about this beauty.

Here's another one -


More about this pieced and stenciled quilt here.

The cameras really came out - especially when we were allowed an up close look.  Quilt paparazzi!


We then toured around the village and saw some beauties within the buildings:




This sweet one - an Eight Pointed star dated 1822 - is the kind of quilt I just love -



More about it here.

The snow outside helped to cast such pretty light into the small rooms.




There is a word in Japanese - natsukashii - when we are reminded fondly of something - (think smells that take you back to your childhood; hearing an old song from the summer of 19_ _ ) and I really felt it here a few times, remembering how so many years ago when our kids were in elementary school, we belonged to Sturbridge and visited often.  At some point, my girls (aged maybe 7 and 8) saw quilts here which prompted me to make them each a quilt.  Noelle had seen a sawtooth star and wanted that (hers - purple!).  Kaela a classic nine patch (in her trademark PINK).  A sweet memory.



Anyway, if you love old quilts, consider joining the AQSG.  And if you are in New England, check out the New England Quilt Study Group on Facebook.  If you decide to join, let me know so that I can look out for you at the next event!

xo
Cynthia



17 comments:

  1. What a wonderful occasion ... and how great to meet with some blogging friends. I love all your pictures. They look like they should be in a book of the event. Even the snow is pretty (to look at) Thanks for all the links too.

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  2. what a wonderful weekend. Glad you got to meet some new friends, and what wonderful quilts you saw!

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  3. Wow, what a neat thing to be able to attend! (Funny how that middle school feeling never quite goes away, isn't it?)

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  4. Great photos, and it looks like a fun time! I love that first one, with the huge mix of fabrics it has. Thanks, Cynthia!

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  5. Your photos are so good!!! was fun to see you again
    xo

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  6. Amazing!! Amazing quilts and people!!! So wish I was closer to join in the fun!!

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  7. These quilts are stunning ! No doubt you spent a wonderful day with Barb and Wendy !

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  8. Enjoyed your show of pictures, thank you! I love that 8pt star with the large scale border - so wonderful that the quilt is signed and dated!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and memories!

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  10. Cynthia, you captured the feeling of the day so well. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. As we plan others, just remember that I'll be your friend there! (Chuckle)

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  11. Thanks for sharing such great photos of these remarkable quilts. Glad you meet some new awesome friends.

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  12. Your photos are the best! I'm sorry we got separated for lunch - we got lost! Great to see you again. So, when are we starting one of these quilts?

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  13. Your photos are wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing them. Sturbridge Village is the perfect place for quilters to get together!

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  14. Funny how we all loved that fantastic quilt. Maybe a challenge to make one? In my dreams! Next time I won't get lost for lunch!

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  15. wow, this is the 3rd blog I've read about this trip and each one had more info...sounds like an idyllic trip..i have been to OSV several times, never in snow, and was always wonderful...

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  16. How lucky to be able to visit Sturbridge Village & view those beautiful quilts. Great photos, thanks for sharing.

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  17. Such a Beatiful and interesting post. I have a friend in Maryland who joined a study group. Where I live it is not possible to do such a thing.
    Groetjes
    Annemieke

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