Dutch Quilt Reproductions

I have always loved antique Dutch quilts.  Over the years I have shared my completed reproduction quilts with you here. 

Today I am sharing them in one post.

This was the first, "Hindeloopen".  I purchased the kit in Houston from the Petra Prins booth many years ago.  It was packaged so lovely!  A big bow around the tissue.  Later, the pattern was published in the book, "Treasures From Holland".  Made entirely of beautiful Dutch chintz.  It is machine pieced and hand quilted.  The original is backed in red cotton.  I didn't know that at the time and mine is backed in a Dutch print.  

The antique quilt is included in the book, "A History of Dutch Quilts" by An Moonen.

This quilt was made from fabric charm squares gifted to me.  The pattern was included in the package.

It is made from a variety of Dutch chintz prints.

The solid navy is also glazed.

I machine pieced and machine quilted this one.

For the longest time I wasn't going to cut the charm squares.  As the fabrics became more readily available in the US I ordered yardage and used the charms.

The Elephant quilt is my small "loose" interpretation (from stash) of an 1800-1825 coverlet from the Netherlands Open Air Museum.  

There is a similar pattern in Petra & An's book, "Promenade in a Dutch Garden".  I made my interpretation before the pattern book was out.

The antique is also included in An's book, "History of Dutch Quilts".

The antique is backed in red, an unquilted coverlet.

Mine is hand quilted and includes batting.

My next attempt at duplicating a Dutch antique is the back of the Gooische stars quilt.

I decided to make two separate quilts, rather than one two sided quilt.

I changed my border, using a reproduction print from a line licensed from The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.

I am re-thinking the quilting plan, as I learn how many of these examples are unquilted.  Maybe it is time I back one in red?

The pattern can be found in Petra & An's book, "Promenade in a Dutch Garden". 

Detail of the center.

I never tire looking at the fabrics.

The piecing was a joy, revisiting all of the beautiful fabrics.

More Detail

Fairhaven RJR Fabric by Pat L. Nickols Lapis Green Reproduction Print
Matches a print in the antique cover quilt

What's Next!

More Dutch inspired quilts.

A bit of the fabric stash

1.5" diamonds, machine pieced, hand quilted

I think the next project may include hexagons and diamonds in Dutch fabrics....

Should I start another project?

New Book Promenade in a Dutch Garden

One of the doll or crib size projects

It was an exciting day today when the post rang!  My copy of "Promenade in a Dutch Garden" by Petra Prins & An Moonen published by Quilt Mania.
In my opinion the book is a must have!
By combining history, reproduction quilt patterns and beautiful photography An and Petra have created a fabulous book.

Check out the bonnet top cradle in the photo - and mine - I think this will be my first of many projects from the book - pieced on both sides no less!

Full size - Fabulous border

It was great fun to dig out my stash of Dutch Chintz and repros I plan to mix.  I have some blocks left over from a previous project I just might mix in too....

The book includes a nice variety of large and small projects.  At over 250+ pages and rich in color photography I can hardly put it down.  Even the cover folds are beautiful!

I love the use of prints - including pillars, chintz, euro inspired printed cottons and silk.  An has also given the museum locations of the antique quilts.

Front Cover - Filled with rich photos inside

I  have made a few Dutch inspired quilts.
(links to the photos below)

If your LQS does not stock the book, ask them to consider carrying the Quilt Mania books and magazines so you can shop local.  It is a bit of a 'splurge' book, but I think worth the price.  I certainly got my monies worth from Petra's first book, which I think is very hard to find now.

Now...to get a trip to the Netherlands planned....it is on the short list.

I enjoyed meeting so many hand quilters last week - most of my Dutch repros are hand quilted - very hard on polished chintz!

Have a great week!  I hope it includes some stitching time.


Links:

Petra's Blog  HERE
Den Haan & Wagenmakers HERE
William Booth Draper (Chintz) HERE  Great prices and service - wide widths
US Resource imported Dutch Chintz - An's Book, Best to call for inventory HERE
Open Air Museum HERE
Quilt Mania HERE
My Completed Dutch Chintz Quilts HERE and HERE and From Petra's first book HERE
Ady's New blog HERE

The Audition is Over

A couple weeks ago I told friends I would have the borders on a quilt - then didn't post about it.  The top had me stuck for a year deciding on borders.

I LOVE Dutch fabrics.  Maybe LOVE isn't even a strong enough description...Obsessed?

When I bought "A History of Dutch Quilts" by An Moonen I savored every page - so of course when she and Petra Prins published "Promenade in a Dutch Garden" I was all in.  Their deep, rich textile heritage is evident!

I've been working my way through the books making several of the quilts.  I have more on the bucket list and stacks of Dutch fabrics to pull from.

This is my top with the borders I finally decided on.

I decided the larger scale light chintz is what I liked best.

I chose a light cream solid back that looks like linen.

The batting is a first for me, "Quilters Dream Angel"
Request:  Thinnest loft preferred by hand quilters

I won't get to it until I have Harrison Rose quilted.
The top is layered and ready when I am.








This quilt has wonderful details.


A mix of blocks.

The wonderful center star.

I chose fabrics to match the antique shown on the cover of An's book.





You can see more of my finished Dutch inspired quilts HERE.

You can find wonderful Dutch fabrics HERE.  Including the harder to find Dutch Heritage STRIPES.

Have a great week!
Dawn

PRACHTIG!

Yes, for me - the past week was PRACHTIG! (My fluency in Dutch has a long way to go) BEAUTIFUL!
Friends, Fun, Fabric and Fun.

If you have followed my blog since I began, you know I have had an interest in Dutch fabrics since the 1990's.  I used to travel to Amsterdam for work. Dutch Fabrics was a favorite stop. I have completed a few of their quilts from the last two books.

Imagine my delight last year when I invited them to visit Minnesota and they accepted!  Petra Prins and Judith Ebbelaar visited Minnesota on their recent USA trip.

We had originally reserved an appointment to the storage room in Lincoln Nebraska at the International Quilt Study Center. With a change of plans that had to be cancelled. We were unable to make it to the Iowa Quilt Museum either. Darn flu and March weather!

We did have fun.
Velma the decided to come out of hiding.

She LOVED the ladies and a few times had to go into her own room for a nap in the sun to leave us in peace.

Maybe she wanted us to look out the window at the deer?
Or pet her instead of beautiful fabrics?

Yes, the deer came out and made an appearance.

Early morning or at dusk, they come out to raid the feeders...they are definitely suburban deer.






After a rest, we spent some time pulling things out of the vault to examine.

This is Petra and Judith looking at an antique quilted piece out on the tables.

These are study pieces, so yes - touching and examining with care is encouraged.  We wash our hands frequently to remove any oils or soil to protect the fabrics.  I do have gloves for others pieces.

Petra fabrics are printed with high quality and fine attention to detail.

We used a magnifier to compare examples.

I love this fine, fine dot in the Dutch Heritage line and plan to order more color ways of it.  See link above to order. (or on my blog side bar)
If you have any questions please let me know. The postage is always less and they only charge exact postage.

We looked at Petra's quilts from her trunk show.

All lovely!!

I had seen some of the original antique quilts, and photos in books. It was a special treat to see them in person and have Petra tell me about reproducing them.

Examining the use of fabrics and placement of color.

How beautiful!!

An extra special treat for me, Petra brought the antique "Conversation" quilt.

We placed the two quilts side by side on the sofa.

What a delight to see the two quilts side by side.

I was so enthralled I forgot to take a photo of Petra with the quilt.

Petra's Quiltmania Quilt Along

I even held the quilt and looked a the conversation prints in detail.  Later we got out some of my antique conversation prints and I shared some with Petra.

Fun.

I really like how my Hexy Stars quilt colors blend with the
Dutch Heritage fabrics.


Lovely hand piecing.

Judith enjoying some fun (sick? ya, sure!!!)

After some relaxing and fun, we did leave the house!

Remember, fabric, fun and food!!

There was shopping.

The evening they were expecting 12" of snow in Northfield, we went to Reproduction Fabrics to shop and visit Margo.

Margo shared the artwork for her new lines coming out soon - fun to see! She also gifted us with some of her new paper products that use artwork from her Dargate fabrics.


Let's just say...a bags of fabric came home with us.

We had lunch at a cute cafe on Main Street.

On the way back to the cities we stopped at Eagle Creek Quilt Shop and shopped the sale and regular

fabrics. Imagine the laughs when we found sale bolts in the bathroom...

There was time for sewing, as we heard the snow warning - well, the snow never came.

We looked at the original and reproduction and variations of the Noah and Matilda Quilt.

Just a light dusting of snow the second to the last morning.

There were meals here. Including some local specials, wild rice chicken soup and 

Minnesota Hot Dish.

We had a lovely meal out at a favorite Italian restaurant.

We enjoyed some spicy food with margaritas.

(Let's just say that is not my hand, however I enjoyed one too)

I had a mini class from Judith on a new to me appliqué technique.

Great fun!  I understand Gerda does her hexagons by creasing first.

I was so fortunate to be gifted with this beautiful c.1850 Dutch

Tape Measure. I plan to research the makers mark and will 

post about it later this year.

Thank you for this treasure!!!

Thank you for the many happy memories.

Also, this wonderful hat from Marken for my ladies bonnet collection.

Painting by Rudolf Possin, Markem Museum

Here you can see the lace addition.

The style of the hair is just as important as the bonnet.

Thank you Petra and Judith for taking time from your vacation

schedule to visit from Washington DC to Minneapolis! Read more about

their travels on their blogs.

SO many happy memories made!!

Happy Stitching,

Dawn

Netherlands Part Three

Day 6 
We visited the Overloon War Museum.  (HERE)
I didn't really know what to expect, I am glad we went.

With the motto, "War Belongs In A Museum" it is an important reminder of what war is.  Overloon, the picturesque village I admire with it's beautiful homes and people - had been completely destroyed (Fall 1945).
Farmers still find live ammo in their fields.

Not to minimize or skip over all that the HUGE museum holds, I did find a Red Cross layette set, complete with a flannel quilt.

1840 sheet 25 #3 of the Aglaja
44" Long by 27" Wide

Day 7
We met with independent antique textile historian An Moonen in Westervoort. (HERE)
I am honored that An generously shared her time and collections.  It fulfilled a dream!  I only wish I had more time and could attend all of her lectures.

Her books on Dutch Quilts are available on Amazon.
I was able to have An sign a copy of my treasured book, "A History of Dutch Quilts".  I saw the quilts from her collection in the book.  I also saw some new collection additions.

I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to hear An lecture to do so.  An provides the rich cultural heritage the Dutch have in the world of textile history.  Contact information and fees are available on her website.

Detail of Patchwork Crib Quilt
33" x 28"

The vibrancy of this double sided crib quilt is an important illustration of available colorful cotton prints.  Many retain their original finishes.  This crib quilt includes prints that date from 1750 - 1815.

Additional details are in An's book.  The pattern for this double sided quilt is in the book, "Promenade in a Dutch Garden" by Petra Prins and An Moonen - out of print.   Maybe a new book will be available. soon...

This embroidered quilt example dates to circa 1675.  The top is embroidered silk, the filling is two woolen cloths and the backing is plain weave silk.  The back and front of the quilt do not share the same quilting.
The backing silk is quilted through the second layer of wool filling.  The wool layers are bound together by herringbone stitch.  The quilt is blind seamed all around.
Additional details are in An's book and generously shared on her website.





In addition to quilts, An's important textile collection include a diverse collection of Dutch samplers.
She has documented relationships between samplers and trousseau linens.  We saw examples in sheets, pillow covers and samplers.  Including examples dated to the 18th century.
We also saw garments and accessories.

An's website has additional information, grab a cup of coffee and visit all of the site pages.



All too soon we reluctantly had to return to Amsterdam.
When you have the opportunity to attend a workshop/lecture with An - Please do so! So much important textile history! 


Day 8-10

Our last few days we spent back in Amsterdam.
We visited antique shops, the flower market and museums.

In addition to textiles, the Netherlands has a rich heritage in precious metals that includes the genre of needlework tools.

The Museum of Bags and Purses was another fascinating stop.  A global representation of bags from 12th century to present.

Housed in a restored 17th century row house the tea room offers a glimpse of what the original interiors would have looked like.

The museum displays include examples needlework and sewing tools.

The museum originated with one individual collection - an interesting story!

We were unable to visit every place we wanted.  We have already started a list of stops for the next trip.
Fortunately - a very special person helped ease that angst and I have some special keepsakes.
The red floral fabric is called 'dekenbloemd' or 'milk-en-bloed'  The red plaid is a vintage scarf and mourning hat that are still worn today in some regions.  The hat fabric is 'made' (to simulate fabric no longer produced) by dipping the ends of multiple sized wood dowels in paint the dabbing it on the ground fabric to create circles.

The card shows the baby pram with a cover from a red floral print coverlet.


This regional dress illustrates the use of a scarf at the shoulders.

Note the point of the cap on the forehead.

More special gifts and shopping

Velma approves of more gifts and shopping.
Her house sitter did great, but she is happy we are home.

Now, it is back to reality....

The quilts are back in their special acid free storage boxes.  Padded at the folds in acid free tissue they are waiting for their next adventure in a few months.

Before they come out again, a few of the older quilts in another stack are coming out.

We are selective when and where many of them are taken out.
Send me a note if you are interested in a program in 2017 or later.

Thank you very much for your comments!
Dawn

Additional Information:
War Museum Website (HERE)
An Moonen Website  (HERE)
An Moonen Blog   (HERE)
Needlework Tools and Accessories:  A Dutch Tradition - - Made in Holland
        by Kay Sullivan see Amazon

Dutch Chintz Quilts and Wooden Shoe Pin Cushions

My Repro Quilt on the wall

I saw this reproduction quilt and wanted to make it for two reasons - the beautiful dutch chintz fabrics and the medallion style.

It is machine pieced and hand quilted and hangs on the wall above one of my work spaces.

The original Hindeloopen quilt is dated around 1800-1815.
The reproduced fabrics are only similar in nature and not exact reproductions of the original.  Many French fabrics are in the original, including dessin geometrique.

The kits are still available HERE

Similar fabrics in the US HERE

UPDATE:  New Petra Prins Repro farbics HERE

This is the zigzag border.
Here you can see more detail in the prints.

This quilt was very hard to hand quilt because of the finish on the chintz.  I wanted it to keep the polished finish so it has not been washed.

The center of the quilt is a 8-pointed star framed in a narrow border.

In the kit, my center border is a tone on tone rust chintz.  The pattern on the inner border is hard to see in the photos.

The corners in the kit are a little different than the original.

The original is a cream star surrounded in color with a center of a fussy cut or appliqued center.

The binding is twill tape, I purchased from Reproduction Fabrics and hand applied.  I love it!!

I'll be sharing a couple more quilts finished this way.


5/2013 UPDATE - Replaced the binding with a knife edge

Photos of the original are in the book:

A History of Dutch Quilts
By An Moonen
(An has beautiful quilts pictured on her website too)

This isn't a pattern book - fabulous history and photos.
More info HERE

I made another Dutch Reproduction - simple pattern - the project is more about the variety of the prints.

I machine quilted this one.  I learned my lesson with the chintz...kind of sorry the finish is lost on this one.

I have the Tree Of Life panel and border just waiting for me to get sewing...

Checking my sewing items and look what I found - souvenir pin cushions.

I know ... it's a stretch - but enjoy.

Grouping of wooden shoe pin cushions

The curled toe pin cushion is hand painted with a windmill scene and labeled Belgium

Thimble is stored in the shoe

This is funny to me - why a wooded shoe souvenir from New Hampshire?

Labeled:  Man of The Mountain Franconia Notch NH

This is a cute pair - pin cushion and thimble holder are in separate shoes. 

For inquiring minds - click HERE for a history of real wooden shoes.

When you travel - do you bring home stitching related souvenirs?

If so what did you bring home?

Thanks for stopping by - have a great weekend!!