Today the quilt top I’m pulling from the quilt top cupboard is an Ocean Waves. It’s a two color quilt done in a burgundy fabric and a shirting with a small red flower.
This quilt top dates to around the 1880’s. It’s hand pieced in the main body of the quilt with the the borders added by machine.
I love the triple border, which I’ve seen in quite a few older quilts. The border strips were sewn on by machine, but the mitered corners were sewn by hand.
I guess our quilter of yesteryear wanted those miters to be very accurate and was unsure of sewing them by machine?
The hand piecing is very nice and accurate. The quilter used scant 1/4″ seams which were recommended in that era. Many of the fabrics are a looser weave than we commonly see today and ladies’ magazines suggested using narrow seams to remove excess weight from pulling at the seams. The combination of loose weave and narrow seams spelled disaster for many quilts from this era. They just didn’t hold up.
I have several tops in my collection that followed that advice and are a good examples of what not to do!
Looser weaves should be sewn with a wider seam allowance so the threads don’t ravel and pull loose.
I like the pattern done as a two color quilt. It was also common to do the piecing of an Ocean Waves scrappy style.
This top is in beautiful condition. I’d love to quilt it some day.
I purchased this one at an estate sale. I got there early in the morning. 
Tags: 1880's quilt top, hand pieced, Ocean Waves, two color quilt
Another beautiful treasure! I can’t help wondering why tops aren’t quilted at some point, and feel a nudge to go and quilt some of mine. ;O)
I have always been attracted to Ocean Wave quilts. Lots of triangles!
I have always been drawn to two color quilts like this, but I much prefer making scrappier quilts. Making multiple blocks with the same colors/fabrics is a labor of love. Of course, we have so many more options today. But, a two color quilt like this sure has a lot of impact! Another great find for you, Ann.
I really like the two tiny prints that have the look of solids (until you look closely), but are much more interesting, in my opinion anyway. The piecing on this is very precise and I agree — the triple border with it’s mitered corners was a very nice finishing touch. Another amazing top from the Ann Champion cupboard!
Thank you for sharing your vintage/antique quilts and quilt tops with us! I just love studying the fabrics and patterns of old quilts. I should put some of mine on my blog, which I’ve been neglecting for over a month! Louise
This is so cool, I never knew you could find unfinished quilt treasures at estate sales! How fun it will be to finish it up one day.
I’m currently helping with a community sewing/quilting project at http://www.WeAllSew.com. We’re linking sewers with each other and with sewing inspiration on the web. Check it out!
very interesting information
Beautiful top. The details are so interesting to read. Thanks Ann!