By Melissa Moylan

Granted, last week was my first trip to Brimfield Flea. And like any flea or antique market, there are always going to be dealers that specialize in certain products or eras show after show. I’m sure that quilts belong in that category, however there was just something about these heritage quilts that I want to discuss. After my first day of the textile show, all I wanted to talk about were the parallels between Rodarte’s Fall 11 collection and what I called Little House on the Prairie vintage finds like quilting, openwork and simple patterns. There is something so relevant about this happening in fashion right now, which makes us yearn for a more simplistic time in the way of craft and heritage. Also, during Fall 11 runway season, I mentionedhandcrafted elements, including old-fashioned granny squares which were introduced on the runways. Here are some of my favorite quilts from Brimfield – all in mint condition I might add – with several dated back to the 19th century.

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