There are many quilt patterns referred to as RPTPP — two of the most common are the one that looks like Orange Peel and this design, which is essentially a set of 4 Drunkard’s Path blocks. I first saw this quilt in one of my books from the 70’s — Once Upon a Quilt — by Celine Blanchard Mahler. I’ve never made a large version of this pattern, but I loved the quilt and thought it would be fun in a miniature size.
The original quilt is dated 1890 and, although some of the fabric choices are kind of strange, I was really drawn to it. I tried to pattern my quilt after the original and wanted it to have that same funky look. The fabrics are mostly from the 30’s – 50’s, but there are a some that are much older, including a couple of mourning prints — it’s a real hodgepodge. The green border fabric is a reproduction.
This is another quilt given to my sister, Sally. It is entirely hand pieced and is hand quilted in a diagonal grid in the blocks and a 3 row scallop in the border. The blocks are 2 1/2″ finished.
Trivia: Around this time I made a second quilt in the same size and pattern (with different vintage fabrics) and sold it on ebay — my first and only attempt at selling something I’d made. The quilt sold for $25 and the buyer was happy — “THE best doll quilt I ever bought from a miniature quilt designer!!! GORGEOUS!!” — so that was nice. I figured out that if I went into the doll quilt making business, I would be working for about $.50 an hour.
Rob Peter to Pay Paul Doll Quilt
Martha Dellasega Gray, 2003
hand pieced, hand quilted
19″ x 21 1/2″
Rob Peter to Pay Paul Quilt
Sarah J. Hann, 1890
Manchester, Maryland
I adore these drunkard’s path blocks and the myriad arrangements you can make with them. Yours is great, and so is the original (can’t be those original fabrics, can you?).
Really pretty, and such tiny little pieces! Lucky Sally!
No disrespect to dear old Sarah, but I like your quilt much better! The fabrics are wonderful. I have a few squares of those old mourning prints – they’re really interesting, and I love how you used them here.
Very charming! The green border is so sweet and so are the mix of fabrics. Thank you for sharing. I could just sit and look at it for hours…
I have always loved Drunkards Path quilts, but have never attempted making even one block as a trial because of the curves. This is a pretty little quilt! Making these doll quilts must be so fun – enjoying the process and the fabrics without the long-term commitment a large scale quilt can require. You’ve got me thinking…