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Portable Patchwork: The Women Pioneers of the Original Quick & Easy Quilting Method, with Projects for Today
The only illustrated history of 19th-century potholder quilts, their origins, and the women who made these quilts.
Want to make your quilting easier to carry with you? Try the quilt-as-you-go methods that women of the 1800s invented so they could work on small blocks in stolen snatches of time. This quilting approach has many other Based on research ranging from the women's diaries, to finds at quilt auctions, to clues shared by worldwide quilter chat groups, Portable Patchwork tells stories about the origins of this technique and the creative women who made or owned the quilts. Included are four projects demonstrating different quilt-as-you-go methods, allowing you to master this technique and add your own unlimited variations—just as your foremothers did.
Want to make your quilting easier to carry with you? Try the quilt-as-you-go methods that women of the 1800s invented so they could work on small blocks in stolen snatches of time. This quilting approach has many other Based on research ranging from the women's diaries, to finds at quilt auctions, to clues shared by worldwide quilter chat groups, Portable Patchwork tells stories about the origins of this technique and the creative women who made or owned the quilts. Included are four projects demonstrating different quilt-as-you-go methods, allowing you to master this technique and add your own unlimited variations—just as your foremothers did.
- GenresQuilting
192 pages, Hardcover
Published November 23, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 24, 2022
Nicknamed ‘Potholder Quilts,’ these unusual quilts caught Pam Week’s interest when she bought a quilt made in 1847. Each block had been bound off, like a complete quilt, and sewn together. Were there other quilts constructed in this way?
Years of research and collecting and making quilts in the potholder style resulted in Portable Patchwork.
Her book is comprehensive, covering the construction methods of the quilt style, historical research into antique quilts and their makers, a gallery of quilts, and quilt projects for modern quilters who want to learn the potholder method. In short, a ‘field guide’ to quilt-as-you-go quilts (QAYG).
The quilts are presented by time period, from 1838 to QAYG methods of the 1970s to comtemporary quilts from today’s quilters.
Weeks’ exhaustive research has resulted in an analysis of the origin of the style. Identifying 151 quilts, she discovered that 120 of the quilts originated in New England, predominately from Maine and Massachusetts. The method seems to have originated in Wiscasset, ME. Most were made with cotton fabrics, were sized for beds of their era, and the majority were inscribed, indicating they were presentation or fund-raising quilts.
Antique quilts and quilt history and genealogy has interested me since the early days of my quilting life. The historical research and accompanying photographs are fascinating.
The quilts in this book are amazing in their variety and workmanship.
The projects exemplify the benefits of this construction style, especially for group projects. Included is a baby quilt, a sampler quilt, a hexagon quilt, and information on an ‘add a block quilt’.
My weekly quilt group was discussing making a group project and when I shared this book with them they became excited about the possibilities and are considering this construction method. I am, too. Having machine quilted two bed sized quilts, struggling with handling the weight and bulk, I am ready to try this method.
I received a free book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Years of research and collecting and making quilts in the potholder style resulted in Portable Patchwork.
Her book is comprehensive, covering the construction methods of the quilt style, historical research into antique quilts and their makers, a gallery of quilts, and quilt projects for modern quilters who want to learn the potholder method. In short, a ‘field guide’ to quilt-as-you-go quilts (QAYG).
The quilts are presented by time period, from 1838 to QAYG methods of the 1970s to comtemporary quilts from today’s quilters.
Weeks’ exhaustive research has resulted in an analysis of the origin of the style. Identifying 151 quilts, she discovered that 120 of the quilts originated in New England, predominately from Maine and Massachusetts. The method seems to have originated in Wiscasset, ME. Most were made with cotton fabrics, were sized for beds of their era, and the majority were inscribed, indicating they were presentation or fund-raising quilts.
Antique quilts and quilt history and genealogy has interested me since the early days of my quilting life. The historical research and accompanying photographs are fascinating.
The quilts in this book are amazing in their variety and workmanship.
The projects exemplify the benefits of this construction style, especially for group projects. Included is a baby quilt, a sampler quilt, a hexagon quilt, and information on an ‘add a block quilt’.
My weekly quilt group was discussing making a group project and when I shared this book with them they became excited about the possibilities and are considering this construction method. I am, too. Having machine quilted two bed sized quilts, struggling with handling the weight and bulk, I am ready to try this method.
I received a free book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
November 20, 2023
This book is a keeper for both its quilt history and its guidance on potholder-quilt techniques. It's well written and has great photos. Worth adding to your bookshelf.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews