Page 148 - MyMomHadAQuiltLikeThat
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my mom had a
quilt like that
Mariner’s Compass 1880s, possibly older. Comparables go back to the 1840s. eBay purchase in the late 1990s
out of VA or MD. 106½"x115" Fabric: Cotton, muslin field. Batting: Thin. Backing: Cotton muslin. Edge: The
green saw-toothed border is rolled 3/8" to the back and caught by hand. Piecing: Constructed by machine.
The small stars are very finely appliqued. Quilting: By hand, 10 stitches to the inch, in a grid having lines
½" apart. Condition: Good. The yellow and brown striped fabric comprising 7 of the 41 large stars has
popped to the point of needing restoration. Remaining fabrics are all crisp and solid, but the back has
dark stains. Comment: Popping occurred after being laundered, which was necessary becuase it smelled
of cigarette smoke. Quilt has a cut-out for four-poster bed. One of the inside corners at the cut-out for a
four-poster bed has been repaired. Otherwise, the quilt lies so flat that the appliqués look printed on. The
large compasses have 32 points.
Figure 121: Mariner’s Compass