Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Vintage Wednesday- Dresdon Blocks

The other day I was over checking out Sarah"s blog and she showed some vintage blocks that she had picked up and has been having fun playing with.

It sparked the memory of some that I found at an antique mall quite a few years back, so I thought I would pull them out and show you. I just love all of the fabrics - aren't they darling?

I laid a few out so that you can see how visually stunning they are together. Scrap quilt blocks really make my heart smile and vintage scrap quilt blocks really make my heart sing!

Once again I find myself wondering about the woman who made them. Who was she? Why didn't she finish her quilt? Was she going to add more blocks? Was there to be sashing inbetween them with corner posts- or just simply stitched together after she had appliqued them onto a plain background?

I am so amazed at these women from the past who did not have it so easy most of the time but still were able to create such works of art. These blocks are well made and I'm sure they will all lay flat when pressed. Most of the edges are already basted under, ready for applique.


I have 20 of them all together. They are quite large and measure 15" round. They came as a set priced at $19.95 - of course I don't always remember what I have paid for my treasures but most of them I do and especially when I consider it an amazing deal! I havn't yet decided what color of background that I will use - perhaps the 1930's butter yellow that I am so fond of. Or I might do the traditional white with yellow or green sashing and red posts. Oh, decisions - decisions, sometimes they're so hard!!!

Any suggestions from my new friends out in blogland?




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17 comments:

Sherri said...

Your Dresden blocks are lovely. I have three that belonged to my great-great grandmother. My grandmother inherited the blocks and made a quilt but had 3 left over. I think I'm going to applique them onto a white background and make a wallhanging. Seeing your blocks makes me want to get mine put together...it's been on the to-do list for a while now!

dream quilt create said...

This friend in blogland thinks a white fabric makes the cute fabric pop and is very crisp looking. Touches of buttercream yellow and red would be pretty too.

Betsy said...

you need to mix these up with some of your awesome applique. Kind of give it a nice new twist.

Funoldhag said...

What pretty plates! No matter what fabric you use with them, they will be wonderful. The butter yellow sounds lovely - soft and cheery - and white would make them pop. Sometimes it's hard to decide - but in this case I don't think you could make a mistake!

Unknown said...

I just love them. Surround them with a soft yellow and they would be spectacular. Isn't it funny that some people just loved making the tops and not finishing them?
We are all so different.
Love this blog..

Jackie's Stitches said...

They'll be the star of the show with whatever background fabric you choose! Looking forward to seeing what you'll do with them.

Gates said...

Lori, this is AMAZING!! You did a fantastic job, i don't know why you thought you needed my help. Way to go!!!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Well I can't wait to see how you and Sarah finish your blocks. Lucky both of you. Sarah finds the most amazing treasures and apparently you have the same luck. What lovely blocks.

Mary L. said...

Love the blocks. They remind me of my guild's opportunity quilt this year. You can see it and read about it here. Yours will be just as lovely.

Mary L. said...

Oops..forgot to add the link to the quilt I was talking about.
http://quiltinginoz.blogspot.com/search/label/opportunity%20quilt

Carrie P. said...

What a treasure you have. I think they would look very nice on yellow fabric or maybe a pale green.

Insightful Nana said...

What a fun collection. I can't believe what you have hiding in your closets and drawers.

Eileen said...

These are my favorite kinds of treasures too. I have a picture of a really beautiful dresdan plate put together with yellow centers on white background.. I'll email it to you. :-) It might give you inspiration, but however you end up doing it will be fun and terrific!

happy zombie said...

Oh what darling plates! I saw a DP quilt once in a show and I was gaga over the setting. Alternating white/butter yellow blocks. No sashing and the DP centers were solid red. It was really stunning and looked true vintagelicious! Can't wait to see what you do... I always love seeing settings (and deciding on them).

Nanette Merrill said...

They must be appliqued Lori! They must be put into a quilt as they were intended to be. So whatever you do will be lovely. I'm sure. They are beautiful. I never find things like that! My friend told me her daughter got a perfectly wonderful hand pieced and quilted quilt at DI last week for $4.00 in perfect condition. Sigh. I can wish these things happen to me I guess.

Anonymous said...

Oooooh your dresden plates are so nice! I like Monica's idea of alternating white with yellow backgrounds. After looking at yours I'm thinking maybe the person who made mine didn't have opposable thumbs... x

Anonymous said...

Hello Lori, I have a deep love of the 1930's....and enjoyed reading your post....I purchased on Ebay four incomplete Dresden blocks from the seed sacks....I have since completed a mini quilt and it resides on my quilting rack behind our bed.....Warm Regards Lyn

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