Expert: Irene Schwall - 6/2/2007

Question
I am not sure if you know about this -but I have an antique quilt that my great-grandmother made and I was wondering about some terminology and the pattern, etc. Would you be able to help me with that or know where I could look? I've tried looking online but I barely know where to start!

Answer
Hello Stephan,
Although we have been communicating via my email address at xtahoeviews@yahoo.com, I have also provided the same answer here just in case this information is helpful to other viewers.

I contacted a quilter friend and she graciously provided me with the following information as it related to your quilt question.

The age looks to be from the 30s, according to the fabrics, color of border strips, etc.  Not 20s, because the prints would be smaller in scale.  Could be 40s, using 30s fabrics, of course.

If there is damage to the quilt, just make a template of the damaged triangle, using a modern fabric that has the same color and scale of design -- applique it RIGHT OVER the damaged triangle (don't remove any old fabric.)  USE THE NEW FABRIC ON THE WRONG SIDE if it's supposed to look faded, or on the right side if the old fabric was bright.  I've done this lots of times.

Circles are hard to work with, so there aren't too many designs using circles.

Follow up email:

Hi -- The design is called Snowball, Base Ball, or Pullman Puzzle -- See 3 attachments

See Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America by Carrie A. Hall and Rose G. Kretsinger

printed in 1933 -- Bonanza Books, division of Crown Publishers, Inc, NYC

Page 96, plate XXII

Regards,
Irene