Why I Collect Quilt Ephemera

Quilt Ephemera from the late 1800's to the early 1900's

I am dedicated to the preservation and documenting of quilt ephemera. As the old quilters leave us, many leave behind their prized collections of clippings, batting wrappers, pamphlets and booklets. These are often found in tattered old paper-board boxes, sometimes tied together with ribbons. In many cases, these are discarded and lost forever. It is important to future generations of quilters to be able to identify these old patterns to help date the quilts made from them.

Once I rescue them from estate or garage sales, or purchase them from vintage paper dealers, the patterns are placed in acid free plastic sleeves, ready to be shared with my fellow quilters. I have several vintage quilts, tops and blocks that correspond to the old patterns.