Sunday, January 29, 2012

Pillar Prints



Although I will usually be showing a particular line of fabric, I wanted to start off with one of my favorite topics, pillar prints. Pillar prints were generally printed c. 1810-1860, although they were particulary popular in the 1830's. They were often glazed with honey or egg whites to give them a shiny appearance. Their bold design made them a good choice for bed hangings. Here's a part of a bed curtain in the collection of Old Sturbridge Village, and the fabric it was made from.




Although you will occasionally see quilts with the top, backing, or borders made from a large piece of chintz, like this quilt made by a relative of Lizzie Borden,


Borden, Lizzie (cousin of). LeMoyne Star. 1830c. From New England Quilt Museum,
NEQM Permanent Collection (MassQuilts Documentation).

Published in The Quilt Index, http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=21-41-2C. Accessed: 01/29/2012


it's more common to see the print cut up and used for piecing, although you might not have noticed it.



I'll start with my favorite, from RJR's Broderie Perse line. I just have a small piece of this, through the generosity of Janet from Quiltsalott, and I can't bear to use it.



This is by Lisa DeBee Schiller for Timeless Treasures, Patt#LISA-C2372.


This is Colossal Columns by Kathy Hall for Andover, from the American Folk Art Museum, Patt. 3334.


Two colorways of Trade Goods by Karen Jarrar for Marcus Brothers.





Two colorways of The Presidents Collection c. 1830 by Nancy Gere for Windham, patt. 28135.




This is the Spencer Museum of Art Collection by Brackman and Thompson Pillar Print 1810-1840 for Moda. This also came in a light blue, and a yellow colorways.




Donna K sent in this pic of the blue colorway.



Another one by Brackman and Thompson, Material Pleasures Floral Trails Pillar Print 1800-1840 for Moda.






Leah Z. sent in three pillars.  First are two colorways of an unidentified print.





And the third is a from The British Heritage Collection with designer J.F. Thorne for Makower.



Ady sent in this picture of a fabulous print called Birds of Paradise by Free Spirit. 



And here are two colorways of Winterthur Toile by Andover, patt. 3950, copper plate printed.



Okay, here's the giveaway, and it's a good one. One yard of this Smithsonian fabric from The Rising Sun collection. Just leave me a comment, and if you send me a pic of a pillar print I don't have, I will enter you again.  I will draw on Thursday night at 10pm EST.  Good luck.


28 comments:

  1. Congratultions on starting you new blog! I jumped in as a follower straight away and then I started reading and lo! and behold you have a giveaway! I'm afraid I don't have any pillar prints to share, but I am very interested in quilt/fabric history so will be following with great interest!! I wish you all the very best with your new venture!!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed for the giveaway, purple is my favourite colour!!!!

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  2. Thanks for the new blog -- should be interesting! Please include me in the giveaway -- I'm collecting **purples** right now for a summer project I have in mind!!
    Jeanne :)

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  3. Purples are sometimes hard to find, and this is a lovely one. Thanks for the giveaway, Lisa, and best wishes on your new venture. I enjoy the history of quilts and quilting and fabrics, and I'm now a follower too, starting at the beginning with you. Thanks for another blog I know I'll enjoy.

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  4. Lisa,
    You did it again, wonderful and informative post. You really are amazing. You got going today and didn't stop.
    My birth stone is Amethyst,so I would LOVE a piece of purple fabric. I don't believe I have any pillar fabrics but I will take a look in my not so organized stash.
    Janet

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  5. Great idea! I have a stash of pillar prints and will send your a couple pictures. I vow to start cutting and using them... someday.
    Thanks for sharing - now to get some of them re-printed!

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  6. Pillar prints are the one thing that I do not buy. So I do not have any in my stash. Have fun with the new blog. I am sure many of us will enjoy it.

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  7. I have so much to learn! Thanks for the info and the chance to win this lovely purple fabric. Sorry I don't have any pillar prints to share.

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  8. Congratulations on your new blog! I'm looking forward to learning more about the history of fabric. Unfortunately, I don't have any pillar prints to send you even though I admire them. Please enter me in your giveaway.

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  9. Holy Moley Lisa! Those pillars are beautiful!! I'm thrilled with your new blog:)
    Love to join in on the giveaway.

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  10. Great idea - thank you for a great post. Ady

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  11. Wow Lisa - those pillar prints are amazing. I've only seen a couple before and ,sorry , don't have any more to add :(
    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity
    All the best for this great new blog too.

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  12. I too am drawn to pillar prints. I have about 6 yards of the one you said was your favorite but mine says "Broiderie Perse by RJR Fashion Fabrics" along the selvage. I have some of two of the companion prints of this line that say the same thing. Someday I WILL make a tree of life quilt with this fabric! I also have another pillar print from RJR fabrics that is by Jenny Beyer, I will try to send a photo.

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  13. Very cool! I have a neat pillar print called Collosal Colums. I hadn't thought about it for awhile...now my wheels are turning!

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  14. Hi Lisa,
    Great pictures (as usual)! It will be fun to see if I have any gems in my fabric collection - dating from the early days when I did not know what I was doing.
    Theresa Arnold MFSG

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  15. Congratulations on your new blog - great idea! The pillars prints are fabulous. Just wish they were all still in print!

    I'd like to see profiles on new reproduction lines as well as the old ones.

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  16. I like pillar prints, too. Also like your new blog.

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  17. Congratulations on your new blog, Lisa. A great idea.

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  18. Love your blog and all those gorgeous pillar prints. I have a few but nothing like your little collection. Will have to see if I have any you do not have. Cheers
    Lynne

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  19. As usual you astound me with your photos. Thanks Lisa.

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  20. How exciting to find your beautiful blog. Have you seen the pillar fabric in the Lately Arived from London collection by Moda? P.S. The Rising Sun fabric is very pretty. Janet

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  21. Great blog entry about pillar fabrics. Please enter my name for the drawing. I am also emailing you a photo of a pillar print I have in my collection.

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  22. What a great idea for a blog. These pillar prints are fabulous. I will have to do some looking through my stash to see what I have.

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  23. Great idea for a blog,Lisa! I've got some Pillar photos I will share soon!

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  24. Great post, Lisa. I have a small collection of the antique pillar prints including the blue bird/pillar like the Birds in Paradise.
    If anyone has some of the Birds in Paradise Free Spirit fabric, please let me know. I would love to buy some or I have some of the Winterthur toile (with squirrel) or a Brackman column to trade.

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  25. I'm so glad I found your blog! I love pillar prints and have a few. That first one is to die for though! Is it out of print? I'd be happy to give that purple fabric a new home! thanks for the chance.

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  26. thanks for the chance. you've whetted my appetite for pillar prints. where can i get some????????

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  27. I have some yardage of the fabrics that Leah Z. sent pictures. I have 3 different colorways, not the second one, however. On the selvedge I believe there is an identification of where it came from, but it's been several years since it came out. When I get the chance I'll check the manufacturer and let you know.

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