Chicago Int’l Quilt Festival 2010

I made my second annual trip to the Chicago International Quilt Festival yesterday. It’s a treat I give myself as my super busy time at work wraps up on the 15th (no I’m not an accountant). I kiss my family goodbye and turn off my phone and email and head to the quilt mecca of the midwest. Last year I went for the quilts but this year I was going for the vendors. At least that’s what I told the women standing in line with me while we waited for the show to open. Then the doors opened and I walked in to see some of the most stunning antique quilts I’ve ever seen.

The special exhibit this year was “America Collects Quilts: International Quilt Festival’s Antique Quilts.” On display was a selection of rare, antique quilts from the Festival’s private collection. Many are mid-19th century works and “feature incredible hand craftsmanship.” Good thing I brought the extra large memory card in the camera. I will post pictures over the next few days so you can see the whole quilt and the detail photos I took.

This one is is called “Star of Stars” and is dated around 1845. I would be amazed if these fabrics ever saw the light of day. The medallion star design has inset panel prints (which are dated 1815) surrounded by pieced diamonds. The fabrics are an outstanding collection of ombre, French and English chintz, Indiennes prints and others.

Below is a close up of one of those amazing inset 1815 panels. Notice, too, the interesting scalloped border that follows the scallop in the blue print.

Check back tomorrow for more pictures of wonderful quilts.