Monday, June 17, 2013

Oldies from the quilt shop!

 Well, I got a phone call from my local quilt shop this weekend. A gentleman's wife had passed away.  He brought in a ton of her quilts, and just gave them to the shop.  The gals at the shop selected some, and then called me to see if I was interested in the remainder.  YOU BET I was!!  I love oldies!!  Above is a familiar double wedding ring.  I think it is from the 1930's, at least is has some 1930's fabrics in it.  It is exquisitely hand quilted...really gorgeous.
 A closer look.  A faded pink background...it is so soft!!
 Unfortunately, all the edges are totally frayed and used up.  It had an additional border around it, and an applied binding turned to the back.  So very soft and pretty...and all used up, except for a pretty thing to show.
 The whole thing...about a full bed size.  Maybe the quilter's mom made this, because it is older than the rest of the blocks.
 I think the quilter must made these.  Hand pieced, all of them...not a one the same size.  There are about twice as many blocks as I pictured  here...1950's??  What is your opinion on age?
 Honestly...this is straight!!  This is as straight as this wonky top gets!  How much fun she much have had piecing this top...I love her free form spirit!!  It will never, ever, ever quilt out...so that must be why she just left it as a top.
 Some of the pretty fabrics in the stars...strings!!  Yummy!!
 And this top...square in a square.  Some old, old plaids in here...our quilter liked plaids!!
 And hexies!!  Lots of hexie blocks.  All pieced with the craziest assortment of fabrics.  I love that...
 Makin' do here!!!  The muslin surrounding the blocks is frayed and I think it is beyond me to salvage these.
Some string stars, with a red large gingham background.  I think I like our quilter of yore!  She was a scrapper...a fun lovin' lady with no rules to bind her...she had never heard of the quilt police!!  When do you think she lived, based on her quilts?  Ages of fabrics, anyone??  I wish I could have seen all the quilts...maybe the gals took pictures...





Have a great day, all!!!


Julie

21 comments:

Missy Shay said...

How much fun, I loved looking at these quilts!

Kathleen said...

Great stuff!

Janet O. said...

I am no fabric expert--50s or 60s maybe?
What a treasure trove of vintage stuff!
Makes me wonder why there were no family members to take these quilts. If my Mom passed away my siblings and I and the grandchildren would be scrambling for the quilts for sure.

Lurline said...

Amazing - what a collection!
Hugs - Lurline.

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Wow! Great quilts! I'm in love with the red/pink plaid. Oooooh so pretty! I'm guessing...50's? Just with all the pinks and aqua/green...that's very late 40's early 50's to me. I love it no matter what the age!!!

Dasha said...

I am fairly confident the last one is early
50s. the plaid one looks earlier, maybe late 40s, but as they are make do quilts you dont really know how long she had the fabric

Michele Bilyeu said...

How amazing to be on the receiving end of this woman's love of quilting but it makes me so sad there was no one in the family to want, receive, and treasure them. These are the kind of quilts that make my heart hurt with the sheer beauty of why we are drawn to this art..in any style, shape, or form.

Kim said...

Oh my what a treasure trove of quilts, just seeing the fabrics is delightful.
Can you get a better picture of the quilting in the wedding ring quilt? I have an old one too and wonder if they are quilted the same?
What will you do with these beauties?
And do you ever wonder what our DHs will do with all of our things when we die...I do.

Happy Sewing

Karen said...

What a load of quilts you ended up with. Interesting that the man just gave them away but they have ended up in good hands.

Nancy said...

These beauties went to a good home. Enjoy!

Lori said...

How much fun is that?! I love looking close up and admiring the fabrics in old quilts and thinking about the person who pieced them.
I think the string star is my fav!!

Kyle said...

Definitely a free spirit. So glad her work is in the hands of people who appreciate her creativity.

Helen in the UK said...

What fun quilts! Loving the string stars, particularly the one with the plaid background!! Hope you will find a way to display some of them :)

MARCIE said...

You hit the jackpot my dear! What a sweet man to take those quilts to a place that would appreciate them. That last quilt with the red check background absolutely slays me!

~Laurie~ said...

I could almost feel the quilter as I looked at each piece. What memories you have!!

Browndirtcottage said...

Oh My! Oh My! Oh My!! You lucky gal you!! I LOVE them all..!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Wow! You are lucky! Such lovely beauties! The wonky top shows why so many tops were never quilted. Maybe you could applique the hexies onto another fabric, then make squares. Enjoy all of them.

Lois Arnold said...

What fun! Glad the quilt shop thought of you as you will treasure these quilts and tops!

Merilyn said...

I think the maker of these wonderful pieces of fabric history was a very fun loving lady, who was adventurous enough to try anything and use what came her way!!!! Probably 40's through to 60's I'd say!!!! I bet she never thought her work would be presented to the world like it has now, she'd be most chuffed!!!!!!!! and a nice way to honour her.....

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