19 Stars Quilt Exhibit

The history buff in me is beyond excited for a new exhibit currently open at the Indiana State Museum through October 3rd.  A collection of quilts from 200 years of Indiana quilters.  Some of the stories that come along with these quilts are rather intriguing.  The title 19 Stars comes from the fact that Indiana was the 19th state in the union.  All of the quilts in the exhibit are star blocks, quilted with stars, or the general theme of stars.

For the exhibit Mary Jane, the curator, split up the generations of quilts giving each 19 quilts.  I explored the first gallery with older quilts and was completely surprised by how modern the quilts look.  Some of the quilts are 50-100 years old and if you didn’t know the age, could be thought of as being within the modern aesthetic.  Many of the current quilting trends are in these quilts as well.

Solids and ombre create this Ohio Star.  The batting on this quilt has worn thin and it hides some of the white hand quilting.

Ohio Star (1940) by Anna W. Yoder Beachy
Ohio Star (1940) by Anna W. Yoder Beachy

I stood there in awe of the craftmanship.  The hours of work that went into these quilts is mind boggling as I can barely work on a quilt for longer than 2 months.  Did you know some of the Amish women couldn’t use certain colors, based on their bishop’s rules?  Some had to dye quilts if they were not monochrome.  Crazy to think there were restrictions on how to create a quilt.

Stars Reverses to Hollow Squares (1930-1940) by Sarah Miller Troyer
Stars Reverses to Hollow Squares (1930-1940) by Sarah Miller Troyer

The white on this quilt has yellowed and looks cream.  Mary Jane was kind enough to show us the back of this quilt.  It’s reversible.

Check out the blue and pink on the back side.
Check out the blue and pink on the back side.

My favorite in this gallery was the Lonestar.  Standing and observing this quilt solidified the plan I have for a lonestar quilt.  This quilt has polyester batting and you can see the puffiness of it up close.  More ombre and solids usage in this quilt from 1983.  Mrs Raber was about 30 years ahead of the modern movement.

Lone Star (1983) by Mrs. Raber
Lone Star (1983) by Mrs. Raber

Jumping over to the more modern/contemporary gallery these next 19 quilts are just as intriguing.  20150611_134350

This quilt was one of my favorites and I recommend this be seen in person.  The quilting is amazingly dense and creates 19 additional stars on the quilt.  This quilt is not bound.  The top, batting and backing were turned inside out.

Do you see the detail?
Do you see the detail?

This quilt is a little different.  Different museums and attractions around Indiana are quilted into the design.  You need to be up close to see the added designs.

Stars Across Indiana by Deb Geyer
Stars Across Indiana by Deb Geyer

I know one little boy that would adore this special addition.  Dinosaurs bust out of the front of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

ROAR!!!!!
ROAR!!!!!

I plan to go back prior to the closing of the exhibit on October 3rd.  It is such an inspirational exhibit and walk through history.