Washington DC

This past weekend we went to Washington DC with friends. We had a great time! While we were there we visited the American History Museum at the Smithsonian. Of course the first thing that I wanted to see were the quilts that were on display. If you ask at the desk, they have a list of the quilts, their history and where they are located in the museum. They had 3 on display at this time.

The first one I saw was Mary C. Pickering's Quilt. This quilt had appliqued floral baskets and vines with trapunto style quilting in elaborate fruit and floral designs.


The second quilt was a Hawaiian quilt. This quilt was made as a wedding gift for Rosina Georgetta Kalanikauwe-kiulani Ayers, who is said to have been a descendant of King Kamehameha.


The third was a reproduction of a cradle quilt. The original was made approx. 1836.

Next I went to see the First Ladies Dress Exhibit. They had some fabulous dresses on display. I really loved the inaugural gown that Helen Taft wore. It was from 1909, made of white silk chiffon with appliqued floral embroidery in metallic thread and embellished with rhinestones and beads. It looks so elegant and graceful.

Afterwards we visited Julia Child's kitchen. It was so cool to see where she prepared so many wonderful dishes! I have watched the movie Julie & Julia twice now. And each time I just want to go home and COOK!

While at the museum I also saw this beautiful embroidered pocket. I know from a trip to Williamsburg that women wore these to keep their sewing things in and I'm sure whatever else they needed. I love the idea of having one of those today, since I do not always have a pocket and it would be a great way to keep what you need to work on a project so handy.
We also attended a concert at the Kennedy Center and visited the Washington National Cathedral. They are both awesome places! I did not even see everything at both places and I was in awe of them. Hopefully we will get a chance to visit another time and see even more.

Happy Sewing,
Jean