Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899: The Birth of America Through the Eye of a Needle (Schiffer Books) [Paperback]

Virginia Consortium of Quilters (Author), Paula C. Golden (Author), Bunnie Jordan (Author), Hazel Carter (Author), Joan McGowan (Author), Maren Lindberg (Author), Barbara Tricarico (Editor), Jinny Beyer (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Books | Publication Date: July 2007

This new book anticipates Virginias 400th anniversary in 2007 by presenting over 270 beautiful historic quilts and ephemera in over 430 color and vintage photographs. From quilted armor of the 17th century to crazy quilts of the 19th century, these personal family and museum treasures include homespun work of slaves and fancy work of freed women and First Ladies. The eight Virginia-born U.S. presidents are each represented here, with work from George Washingtons great great grandmother to quilting by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. The contents derive from the study of more than 3,000 quilts statewide that were meticulously examined by the Virginia Consortium of Quilters' Documentation Project. This book is an important contribution to quilting history and Virginia heritage, and will be inspirational today for enthusiastic sewers everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This new book anticipates Virginia's 400th anniversary in 2007 by presenting over 270 beautiful historic quilts and ephemera in over 325 color and vintage photographs. From quilted armor of the 17th century to crazy quilts of the 19th century, these personal family and museum treasures include homespun work of slaves and fancy work of freed women and First Ladies. The eight Virginia-born U.S. presidents are each represented here, with work from George Washington's great-great-grandmother to quilting by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. The contents derive from the study of more than 3,000 quilts statewide that were meticulously examined by the Virginia Consortium of Quilters' Documentation Project. This book is an important contribution to quilting history and Virginia heritage, and will be inspirational today for enthusiastic quilters everywhere.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (July 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764324659
• ISBN-13: 978-0764324659
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Expert Advice > Jinny Beyer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful and fascinating, December 27, 2006

By 

E Rice (western ny state) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899: The Birth of America Through the Eye of a Needle (Schiffer Books) (Paperback)

this books celebrates virginia's history through the needle, as the subtitle states. that turns out to mean lots of beautiful quilts, examples of quilted armour and other clothing, lovely pictures of virginia, and information about virginians, many of whom might be unfamiliar or unknown to many of us who are not from virginia.

there is plenty of inspiration for quilters here. there are pieced, applique (including the most beautiful whig rose i have seen), and whole cloth quilts. there are examples of quilted petticoats, slippers and bonnets. there are also humbling notes about 14, 16 and even 19 quilting stitches per inch.

this is not a pattern book--there is only one quilt pattern included, and it's only for the brave or very expert.

there are profiles of many of the identified quiltmakers, from martha washington to the slave who purchased her freedom with the income from her needle and went on to design dresses for mary todd lincoln and varina (jefferson) davis. and a couple of female confederate spies.

anyone interested in american history will enjoy this book even if they are not interested in quilts (i'm told there are some people who aren't!).

the book is extremely well-made, and the writing and photos are first rate.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful history of quilts in Virginia, January 25, 2007

By 

theenglishmajor "theenglishmajor" (NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899: The Birth of America Through the Eye of a Needle (Schiffer Books) (Paperback)

This is a beautiful book, very well researched, that presents the quilts of Virginia along with the history surrounding the quiltmakers. Virginia was the home of so many early political and prominent figures in American History. In these pages you will find many familiar figures from Martha Washington to Willa Cather, but not only the famous and their quilts are highlighted. Reading the stories behind these quilts, one experiences a true connection to the times in which the quiltmakers lived. The book documents over 270 quilts made before 1900, all of which are beautifully photographed. The information is presented regionally and includes a partial listing of museums and facilities where the quilts can be seen in person. Of all the books of this kind which document the quilts of our ancestors, this is by far the best I have seen. This is a book to treasure.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quilts of Virginia, 1607-1899, March 15, 2007

By 

M. Patch "Patchalot" (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899: The Birth of America Through the Eye of a Needle (Schiffer Books) (Paperback)

This book was a joy! It contained many beautiful quilts of the time frame. I loved the quilts, of course, but I really appreciated all the historiacal information that was included as well. Virginia is rich is early American history. Tie that in with quilts and I am hooked! I came back and bought another copy for a gift. Every quilter in Virginia should own this book!