These one block tops were always called "Charm Quilts" as far as I know. This one has all the same hexagon barrel shaped pieces, all hand pieced with solid strong even stitches (who were these people? :) ) . I have heard this pattern once called "Fellow Traveler" but was never able to find a single other reference to it as such. I have only seen this pattern twice, the one she called "Fellow Traveler" and this one. I would call it Jack London or Miner's Cabin because I see this style of utility quilts featured in Oregon mining museums. And the fabrics are sure to charm a person who loves one of these veritable fabric samplers. I tried to get close ups of some of my favorite pieces, and then I saw the one with the little pig on it. * I had never noticed it before. Lots and lots of novelty prints and I would say none are older than the 40's. A nice little Charm Quilt, this is one I would tie, quilt or machine quilt and be happy with it put to use for a lifetime. I honestly think these old tops with no wear, newly quilted today, have to be the best of both worlds for people who like to use their quilts and people who like to give quilts as gifts.
The top is from our clean, pet free smoke free workshop. None of our pets are allowed in the workshop and most of them have stopped smoking.
The understated quilt is always necessary for guest rooms, the bunk house, picnics and hunting cabins. I usually do tie these with a heavier cotton batting.
Out in Oregon we find UTILITY QUILTS from the post Civil War period when people were fleeing the south in a hurry and of course they carried the typical textiles from that time with them. So we find these gorgeous fabrics, many printed in France, sewn up into hastily assembled "UTILITY QUILTS", no complicated patterns, heavy cotton or wool batts and large running stitches to keep them together and put them in use as fast as they could sew them.
So I always value these Utility Quilts whatever year they were created in as long as they are LARGE & STURDY. So I appreciate this seamstress who took up to sew these random remnants into a useful quilt top and if I was going to live another 50 years, I would tie it up myself, probably put a flannel back on it.
Shipping is $18 USPS
* taking a second look, the one that I thought was a little pig, is actually a teddy bear dressed up in an Indian costume and his little son teddy bear is with him, and there is also a little baby teddy bear wrapped up like a papoose, Some corn stalks and a fire. All in one little snippet.