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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Does anyone collect old quilts here?  |
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countrymamma
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Rural Manitoba
Canada
78 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 2:42:45 PM
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I've started although I only have found one so far. I paid 50¢ for it at a yard sale and restored it. It now sits on my treadle sewing machine.
~Carol |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 2:52:54 PM
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I bought a quilt 29 years ago at an estate sale for $3.00. And get this, it was a postage stamp quilt, all hand done. It was a little musty and faded in the corner where it had been folded (the only part to get light I guess, as it sat over the years), but I cleaned it carefully, aired it out and repaired it. I found another one in 1985 for $50.00. It is a crazy quilt with lots of red in it and has become our christmas tree skirt. Very heavy, and I know it has to have wool batting. All in all, I probably have about 24 quilts from different places. My grandma, my mom, NC mountain women, and garage/antique sales. I even found one in the middle of the road one day. Someone was probably using it to cover a piece of furniture on the back of a truck or something. I am always looking for that quilt that calls to me, and they always call to me!
jpbluesky
Heartland girl |
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shepherdess
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Robin
Eatonville
Washington
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 5:10:34 PM
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I have a few Antque quilts but there are no real neat stories behind them. I did find one last year in Rexford,Montana at an Amish settlement. It is grandmothers Flower garden, It is just the top but I am going to finish it.
Farm Girl from Western Washington
" From sheep to handspun " |
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countrymamma
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Rural Manitoba
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 5:11:12 PM
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Wow thats so neat. I keep looking - sooner or later I'm going to find more.
~Carol |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2005 : 09:07:10 AM
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Hi Carol and welcome to MJF! I have been meaning to answer this for the past few days and kept getting distracted. My oldest quilt is from 1865 that my great gran made and it is red and white , very plain just large rectangles but the fabric is sprigged cotton and I love it.Next an octagon (honeycomb) quilt all of silks with a patch that says Gardiner Maine Agricultural Fair, 1886. Next a cotton pinwheel, a cotton logcabin both pre 1900. I have a velvet crazy quilt piece (runner size) that is dated 1903. My husbands gran made a crazy quilt top while she was "courting" and there are neat things embroidered on the blocks, dates ,initials, symbols, etc. It's from about 1928-34, all velvets and silks. My husband bought me for our first Valentine's Day a Dresden plate variation on salmon pink background, with the backing an almost floral stripe to match. It is very unusual but the dresden pieces alternate with round and pointed tips so it is not just big disks of multiple fabrics.It dates from about 1922 from the fabrics used. These quilts came to me in different ways, none very expensive but I have grown to feel like they are part of the family. All my Mom's quilts done in the 70's and early 80's are here too and I treasure them. We collected a few quilt tops together ( a wedding ring 1930's, embroidered squares 1950's, and some turkey work blocks 1920's) that are now my job to finish.
If you haven't guessed by now I am a sucker for all vintage textiles, especially quilts!
with a happy heart |
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countrymamma
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Rural Manitoba
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2005 : 1:40:29 PM
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Bramble, that is awesome. Wow 1865!! You must really treasure the quilts you have.
Do you have them on display?
~Carol |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2005 : 2:10:11 PM
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Hi Ladies!
I have inherited one from my Great Great Aunt who was famous (in her area) for her quilts. The quilt I have is over 100 yrs old, although the exact date of manufacture is unknown. It has amazingly bright colors with lots of red satin like pieces. It is a triangle pattern (diamond pattern?) with each square being only about 2 inches wide. It has crazy quilt style embroidery (where the women would use every stitch they knew to show off their skills) but is is not a true crazy quilt because all the pieces are the same shape and size.
I don't display it currently because I have not found a dark enought corner for it. Sunlight is horrible for old quilts.
Also ladies, if you have antique quilts, make sure to have a quilt expert check them out before letting children near them. The reason I say this is because a lot of the old fabric dyes were actually made with Lead!! Much like lead paint. I guess lead holds color extremely well. Anyway I would hate for a little one to get lead poisoning from sucking on a quilt or something...I know kids put everything in their mouths.
Ciao
Alee |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2005 : 12:39:15 PM
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Hi girls! Yes I do display my quilts. I try to rotate them seasonally and refold, rehang in different ways so no one area gets too much wear. My great grans quilt is out at Christmas time and that is just about all it can handle!The rest of them I use in an everyday way but I do baby the oldies a bit. I like to think they were made to be lived with, so we do.
Carol- If you like quilts , have you read any of the Elm Creek Quilt series by Lisa Chiaverini? I just finished the latest "The Sugar Camp Quilt" and though it started slow , it had a great ending!
with a happy heart |
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countrymamma
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Rural Manitoba
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2005 : 9:14:01 PM
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Yes I've read the Elm creek books, all except her new one The Sugar Camp Quilt. I love her writing.
~Carol |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2005 : 08:36:59 AM
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My most treasured quilt lives on a seldom used bed (the best place to store them). It is a guest bed that rarely gets used and another comforter is over it, to prevent fading. The back of the comforter is whitecotton. This way, it is never folded nor exposed to light, and when I have guests, I do store it away for a few days. This is my grandmother's quilt she made for me as a child. It is made from her old house dresses. I really want to keep it in good shape.
jpbluesky
Heartland girl |
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Nicol
True Blue Farmgirl
200 Posts
Nicol
200 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2005 : 11:26:48 AM
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My one and only quilt that wasn't factory made is so precious. I purchased it at my kids' school auction last year. My daughter's preschool class made it. The kids made the blocks with the help of the adults. It has their handprints on it. I need to display it but I haven't found the right thing to do so yet. I don't have a big enough blank wall. I would love to discover a great find!
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Edited by - Nicol on Jun 28 2005 11:33:35 AM |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2005 : 8:26:24 PM
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Countrymama-- If you like I will send you my copy since I am finished. Just email me through my profile and I will reply . Glad you like them too! I can only check that email on Tuesday so I will answer you after Tuesday. Let me know if you want it, otherwise I will post it in the Barter forum. Thanks!
with a happy heart |
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countrymamma
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Rural Manitoba
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2005 : 07:23:26 AM
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Bramble I would however I don't see a place in your profile to send you an e-mail. You can e-mail me though.
~Carol |
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thehouseminder
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2005 : 06:53:34 AM
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It's so wonderful to read about your quilt finds! I haven't found any for less than $400.00 but I do have the "granny's flower garden" my grandmother made for me while I was in high school. It's made entirely from scraps left over from her sewing and my mother's sewing. I loved to be able to identify fabric from Grandma's dresses, my mother's blouse, and my older sister's baby clothes!
I have really enjoyed the Elm Creek Books too. Has anyone read "The Persian Pickle Club" by Sandra Dallas? It's a stitch!
Lucinda |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2005 : 08:39:55 AM
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My quilt collection consists of 2 I inherited. My grandmother gave me one as a wedding present. She embroidered the flower panels when she was pregnant with my Uncle and pieced and quilted it when she was pregnant with my dad. Apparently when I was 8, I told her it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and I'd live to have it someday. 20 yrs later my wedding present.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2005 : 4:20:52 PM
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Lucinda - our book club read The Persian Pickle Club. Loved it.
jpbluesky
Heartland girl |
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BillieKay
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
BillieKay
Centennial
Wyoming
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 2:11:11 PM
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I just found a postage stamp quilt handmade in the 30's. I bought it for $50. I had a quilt that my great-great gramma made(100 years old)But it was destroyed by a dog. Wasn't a piece bigger than 8 inches. Still makes me cry when I think of it. I would love to learn to quilt. I am teaching myself to embroider right now so maybe this winter I'll try it out.
Bright Blessings,
BillieKay |
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Clare Stella
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Massachusetts
1 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 2:23:25 PM
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Though I have always loved quilts (and have a store-bought one on my bed), I do not have room in my small condo for a collection. I did have a wonderful time recently though going to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (I live nearby) to see an exhibit of quilts made by black ladies from Gee's Bend in Alabama. What is so different about these quilts is that they were made out of whatever material was available in a very poor community. Many of them look like modern art rather than typical patterned quilts. One I remember was made of dungaree pant legs surrounding some pieces of bright red corduroy. The legs of the pants look like pant legs - long and straight, and even the pockets were separately incorporated into the quilt patterns. Many of these quilts were made during and right after the depression merely to function as bedcovers but they have now been "discovered." Some of them are incredibly beautiful. If you have a chance to see this exhibit, I recommend it highly. Does anyone own any quilts of this type? They are unusual and wonderful. Clare
Everywhere you go, there you are. |
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countrymamma
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Rural Manitoba
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 2:38:08 PM
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We ended up at an antique store the other day and I found 2 quilts I wanted. My mom bought be one and I put the other one away which I will pick up on the 27th. I'm not sure how to post a picture here or I would.
The one I brought home today will need a few repairs although not many. The one I pick up next week needs no repairs.
~Carol |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 2:54:34 PM
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Carol, I would love to see your pics of the quilts. If you go to the Tech Section here, there's a tutorial about how to post Yahoo photo album links, but it can be used as a guide to any format, such as Photobucket, etc. Good luck!
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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Edited by - Clare on Jul 20 2005 2:54:57 PM |
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atwell
True Blue Farmgirl
88 Posts
susan
Laporte
IN
USA
88 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2005 : 7:42:50 PM
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Clare Stella!!
I too had the opportunity to see the Gees Bend exhibit when it came to milwaukee. Just amazing!!!!!I have a large coffee table book with photos and the stories of the women and the area. I also had to purchase one of the t-shirts and a handful of the postcards. I have 2 or 3 more books on african american quilts and their makers. I love the spontineity , resourcefulness and graphic quality of these.
This is what happens when you start with what you have,follow your instinct, and do not have a preconceived notion of what a quilt
"should be" Quiltmaking at its purest!If you are interested in these other books let me know and I will post the titles here!I dont own any quilts like this but have purchased old tops( to be finished someday. ...) and of course collect books about old quilts.
susan
FatQuarterQuiltFarm
Long Arm Machine
Quilting ~and~
Fabric Flea Market |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2005 : 9:25:02 PM
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I saw some quilts like the ones you describe Clare Stella at a quilt museum at Paducah, KY 3 years ago when we were out there to see my newborn grandaughter (she turns 3 tommorrow!!) it was sure a fun place to go..any of you been there? My mom and I flew out to see the new baby and visit oldest son and daughter in law and were there a week.. loved it there! The quilt museum had lot of rooms and lots of types of quilts..and I remember the ones that were so different from the rest and were like you described..neat!'
My favorites are the primitive pioneer types though, and I love love love 1940's fabrics. There is supposed to be a quilt show here in town this weekend. Utah had a state holiday called Pioneer day that we celebrate the day the pioneers made it to Utah and there are all sorts of fun old timey things going on in all the small towns nearby. I love it!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things! |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 11:53:06 AM
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Antique quilts is what got me interested in quilts and quilting in the first place. I was fascinated by old quilts when I was a teenager. One of my great grandmothers was a phenomenal quilter and I was lucky enough to grow up in a household that used those quilts. Her favorite pattern seems to have been the Lone Star. I remember seeing more of those than any other. The only one of her quilts I own is a baby quilt that my mother embroidered(with cowboys and indians) before I was born. Grandma Black quilted it. She was my dad's grandmother. She was also a painter(something she didn't take up until she was 85) and the daughter and granddaughter of true pioneers. Her grandparents came over the Oregon trail in 1847. My mom said she also made her own wool batts from the fleece from her sheep. She died when I was 16 at the age of 100. And yes, I knew her very well.
The other old quilt I own was made by another of my great grandmothers. It's a Double Wedding Ring made in the 30's, in perfect condition. It's my favorite since I love that pattern. During the Washington state centennial in 1989 one of the state historical society projects was cataloguing antique quilts. My mom had all of hers and ours done. She has made sure that my 3 sisters and I all have at least one quilt done by our great grandmothers. We had 3 that were quilters. I also have a set of blocks done by this same grandma. They are from the 30's also is my guess. They're the Snail Trail pattern in orchid and mustard yellow solid. Really awful! Maybe I'll do something with them someday. This grandmother was my mom's grandma and also an interesting woman. She defied her family and came west from Iowa to teach school in 1905. Eventually the rest of her family came west also. She died when I was 33 at the age of 103 and not only did I know her well but so did my children.
When my DH's grandmother found out I was interested in quilts she took me to her closet and pulled out 6 or 8 quilts from the 30's all in perfect condition. None had ever been used. They had all been given to them as wedding presents and they were made by her aunts. When I asked her why she didn't use them she told me she was "saving them for good." I told her if good hadn't come in 55 years it probably never would and she should get some of those out and use them. She laughed but she did it.
I've been thinking about my grandmothers and great grandmothers alot. I'll probably write something more about them in the Family Matters forum under mentors later. I come from a family of very strong, creative and intelligent women and it's amazing how much they influenced and shaped our lives, especially mine.
I have read most of the Elm Creek books and the Persian Pickle Club--I loved that one. Have any of you read any of Earlene Fowler's books? Also a great book I read 20 years ago about quilting and pioneer women is Annonymous Was a Woman. I don't know if you can find it but it's about women pioneers in Texas, I think, but deals with pioneer women in general. They saved scraps of cloth and fabric and worked under the worst conditions to create works of art and add beauty to their world. Another really good book along the same line is Quilts of the Oregon Trail.
Sorry for the long post. Quilts and quilting is a passion of mine. Can you tell??
Marcia
"I suppose the pleasure of country life lies really in the eternally renewed evidence of the determination to live." Vita Sackville-West
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atwell
True Blue Farmgirl
88 Posts
susan
Laporte
IN
USA
88 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 6:22:45 PM
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Marcia!!
What an amazing family legacy!!. I loved reading your story and know ing that you knew these grandmothers so well. very fortunate indeed!
I love olds quilts too! I have mostly books on the subject and have collected several tops and lots of blocks and pieces/parts. I feel the need to give these "misfits" a home!Especially the ones that arent as pretty as most..... I alway like to wonder about the maker.. who was she ? where did she live....?etc......
susan
FatQuarterQuiltFarm
Long Arm Machine
Quilting ~and~
Fabric Flea Market |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 8:36:35 PM
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Susan,
Maybe I should send those orchid and mustard blocks to you....they definitely aren't as pretty as most. My friend Sandy said the funniest thing when I was working on them at one of our quilt meetings. She asked me if maybe my grandma was looking down on me working on those and thinking "Oh No! I thought I threw those things away!"
"I suppose the pleasure of country life lies really in the eternally renewed evidence of the determination to live." Vita Sackville-West
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 10:28:48 PM
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Marcia Marcia Marcia....
gosh, I have been waiting so long to actually get to say that to someone...hope you don't mind a little teasing...
You are SO lucky to have someone who quilts in your family.I am the only crafter- needlewoman -quilter in my whole family on both sides and they all think I am nuts.I, too, was very close to my maternal grandmother, in fact in my heart i think of her as my mother.I did't get to spend as much time with my paternal grandmother, but wonderfully for me she was skilled in all the things my other grandmother wasn't.I lost them both too early, you were more fortunate.
What kind of quilts do you prefer? I love the 30's and 40's quilts, but lately i have been leaning toward brighter colors...I'd love to have a small selection of brighly colored cheery quilts to swap around on the wall when the winter grey days start back up
I also love the Elm Creek books, just finished reading them a second time, coincidentaly.
Where in Washington do you live? I am near Tacoma/Seattle.. |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Does anyone collect old quilts here? |
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Does anyone collect old quilts here?
