Vintage Redwork and Vanilla Cupcakes

That's what I love about the ancestors...They tell it like it is. What would they think of us? complaining when we have to run down to the basement to do laundry...Try washing your undies on a ROCK youngster... The photos are of antique pillow shams. At first I wasn't sure what they were (but of course that didn't stop me from buying them) because they are only one layer but an antique dealer told me that they were placed on top of the pillow to keep the dust off.

I found this amazing quilt top at an estate sale for $10. Now this was worth waking up at dawn for! As I walked to my car with my treasures a woman caught sight of it hanging from my arm and said to her husband accusingly..."I see redwork and I am going to cry. I told you we should have left earlier". Let me show you some of the best parts of the quilt...

It looks like the owner pieced together blocks from several different sources. This block is a "penny square" from the Pan American Exposition, held in Buffalo, NY in 1901. People could buy a printed square for a penny and go home, embroider the blocks and make a Pan-Am Quilt. That would be the Holy Grail of quilt finds for me. They have one at one of our local museums.

 

The closest I have come so far is a pattern book to make my own Pan-Am Quilt...someday... Here's another block from my quilt that is included in the Pan-Am...

A Southern Belle block, also known as a Crinoline Lady. What I love about this quiltmaker is that every block is classic red and white redwork...except this one...

The last block on the quilt. Now that is a signature touch!

I think this 2 book set is just an beautiful account of redwork history. Oddly enough, the Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya had the set with a Japanese cover. I have heard that the Japanese are really getting into redwork. The cloth underneath the set is a vintage mangle cloth from Germany, purchased from this wonderful dealer. If you enlarge the photo a few pictures up, you'll see the detail woven into the piece. People use these as table runners now, but I don't have the heart to expose it to that kind of danger! I drape it over the "Health Chair" of this...

My vintage Ironrite Ironer/Mangle. My mom had one of these, from my grandmother.  I thought it was magic that you could feed a damp hanky into it and it would spit out a hot, ironed hanky. But I digress, this site has great info. on redwork and its history. Here are some of the blocks I have collected...

What do you think I should do with them? Surround them with fabric and make pillows, sachets? Ideas?   I even tried my hand at making a few...with limited success...

So, as you can see, I love red and redwork. It is so simple and reachable, yet beautiful. Oh, when I wasn't taking redwork photos I made cupcakes...

The cakes are made with half and half, butter and good vanilla. I adapted the recipe to remove the Crisco (yuck!). They are iced with a vanilla buttercream (with heavy cream). I had better get these out of the house fast or the new jeans won't fit! The dog and husband give them 2 thumbs up (well, actually 1 thumb and a dew claw). If you'd like the recipe, let me know and I'll post it. It's really easy, you just pop everything into the bowl at one time. Great with a stout cup of black tea...

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks...

Comments

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Your redwork quilt is awesome. I would love to make one but don't have the eyes or the patience for embroidery anymore.

[LeeAnn]

It all looks so beautiful! I have a redwork project in mind for sometime in the future. Great inspiration!

[sondra]

Once again, I'm envious, of the redwork!! Recipe please!!

[Leigh]

Wow! What an awesome find. I adore all redwork. It reminds me of my Great Grandmother. I have wanted a mangle since Martha explained how they work. What a beauty you have! Yes, I am reading your post today with great envy. I can so relate to the poor wife at the estate sale.

Leigh

[Sarah]

vicki, I love that first bit about beauty and duty!

I have been meaning to email you, do you think we should do tablecloth Thursdays once a month? How about the First or last Thursday? I was derailed by the small fry's birthday and then Halloween!

[Cindy Hamlin]

That quilt find rocks!

For the loose squares, shy not make a denim tote bag or messenger and frame them with some red rickrack on the front, maybe add some red gingham?

Cute!

P.S. I bet the hubby is still hearing about how "he got her there late!"

[pinkgreen]

What an amazing find - the redwork squares are just beautiful. I especially love the one of 'Old Faithful' - just like my dog. Cupcakes look scrummy - recipe would be fab please.
Cathy XX

[bronwyn]

Wow! That redwork is truly amazing. I'm not familiar with it being from Souh Africa, but I love it. What an incredible find. I think you must be well qualified to start your own museum :)

[LiLi M.]

Hi Vicki! I'm going to have one of those delicious cupcakes on your birthday. Congrats from Holland & have a nice day!! Love Li(dwien)Li

[Sandra Evertson]

Ooo, the red and white is so crisp and beautiful!
Sandra Evertson

[Darly]

I am green about your red!!! What a lucky girl u r Vicki ! Just for future reference, how early did you get there?????
SmiLeS~dArLy DoLiTtLe

[melissa deakin]

gorgeous finds.
you amaze me.
thinking of you...

[linda]

What a great find, I love redwork pieces. The cupcakes look so yummy...I know I would enjoy the recipe. Linda

[Redwork in Germany]

The Redwork quilt is beautiful and thank you for all those lovely pictures.

[Terri McGarry]

I have a Pan Am Expo quilt top made by my husband's great grandmother and would love to know the value. It's in excellent condition.

[Vicki]

Hi, I dont do appraisals, but I think a local woman does. Google Linda Hunter quilts and you will find her. Coincidentally, my high school students are making a repro PanAm quilt. We have one at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site here in Buffalo. I would love to see a photo of your quilt. Its my favorite because of the local history. Good Luck! Vicki

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