Many years ago my sister returned from a holiday to country NSW with a present for me. Knowing I was a quilter she couldn't walk past an old tatty quilt in a back room of an Antique shop. It was dirty and stained and torn but for twenty dollars she thought she would purchase it to for me just in case I saw some worth in it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItsWYkRrhZEpm1B_7D06vU7Qri_qz5XWgQAsfOekmo1ypKnOYDe5vsBazKflSxnmjLsB3bt0dmDDkJQrJwZX6vwajlqQcUwZAzWhgVkCUOXBm_f_9_DCwW6sII3XhCgP3Ge7UquFgaUY/s200/DSCF5671.JPG) |
A torn corner |
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Ink stains |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdjNxMWVFsCwMjB_PWAxA5I6DQqewNxk3TwErROdLKDhmHKpu6xO49LGWMguhN3SAXnSdek7BJ03lr-dB5JZpT6aSAp83BTWxI7gW0Ij0za4kEpIok5FvUI3F-Ks9ZRZBj_wmd317KKA/s200/DSCF5668.JPG) |
Tatty edge |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBqMe4e2r5QalWStQqaIUxyqs3-ih32HV5nC7iJvqs3WQYdmGAMkU0D9CcwD6iJvLu7OksgNi9KNWBG_o_wASh2rQgFfmXfSGA-JjG8-LeoGE09339WqhN31He2ilgfeRFq3dDqYaZvE/s200/DSCF5669.JPG) |
Stained edge |
Well I love this old quilt but what does one do with such a thing? It's 88" X 96" (225cm X 245 cm) and it's not hard to tell it is really old! I am guessing 150 years old. It is a beautifully handquilted wholecloth and the stitches are so small and neat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kOxMbR_F2KAB19UIHhv6QtDx9ENED1UK6Wx0R4EYw6XDRfwSl1ye0o-27akMUGDyoDw9Cnfv-M8dpdzaa9-HBxrLbrSIb3xnQTkIUii7NkDZaoHuJViGfPypCZXiLQ4pqHkZGiKcTnQ/s320/DSCF5688.JPG) |
Can you see how many stitches to the inch? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnivVDpZx_47od0sEUbyRQnXLPXqeDpxTyOH6Z8UnxbenD8poru0OCygqEiP7KFeLa39sadPoa5DwgddtlY9mmwplUnSDT_56ZBQ51WpkZOnGbPficEua43yrBOsP2QK-wQ0sELZhXCs/s320/DSCF5672.JPG) |
No binding, just turned under edges |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAi6fO90MdB-WTcBDHQDyjVzji0GJECmuL4WFiaQwQKv7LslZNtRoqDxfUBfB23vEt0K5nhWXO9AlS-HNr0GAI-TQUeveICWGM_aiytbmjAahpVYamW82H_Xfo4MrIUvOLc_h8ok2ylA/s320/DSCF5660.JPG) |
Two pattered fabrics are joined for a backing and show deterioration where the patterns are printed |
The design is 'Medallion-like' with three borders around a central rectangle. The design elements are lovely and though not complex are not simple either. A traditional feathered oval surrounds the central six petalled flower with 1/2" diagonal lines behind them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGrhGWaCAn-1UDSk9FuVX4TZrf63q5CzyBg9A4JQe7MGydb1HAcIyozXmn0my5tNolpdEllip_7kmOIze57wdmsPN6CYZWTXYWXIuedOyb_BA03HEU4xMkewluxooQtaDg17vkxljBro/s320/DSCF5682.JPG) |
Central flower and feathered oval |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfyyANXaH3jtEkq09i_zGgdgn4Jgji5zHQRRigW0x7VNUzlwpa-6jXJRGiQJKC3JRA2WE8HIht2epDb9OAOSexDPcfNBghedyhCN77KxjTn4UBxj_hd4jqsWPPNscC-Xlkw1CkqkSpFY/s320/DSCF5683.JPG) |
First border, a vine and leaves and swirls |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMP9bVYSx6kDPJWyIDVi7cWuyEU3lu_yDsQYwY0Du3PzCbX26veHEX-yu6GFjWbpbXV_EbFmf-Ke21D8j6AnISrHjsxwQbCU6Ir6jZws-TJ7OCesgAEGeO5Y43vgjNmO1L1B7TPEkh8mU/s320/DSCF5685.JPG) |
Second border, diagonal squares |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYZxYB5ihOHfsab57iPrZS7n6EuEW_ppgXtFCCIoOL43jFYsdgW1q5ldPwvM5_3xt-lMIxWRrgt8Ds8_TXYimeV216g3UwfR2Ht2RDqh_XSGfxHhB5MKzcizYzR7fOmYqrbbY0_0bcNQ/s320/DSCF5690.JPG) |
Third border, vine and leaves |
Any ideas on what I could do with this treasure of mine will be gratefully accepted!
It would be great as the back to a couple body pillow covers. You could do something quilty for the front side and then this would be your great backing (washed and soaked in a vintage re-store soap of course).
ReplyDeleteHi Penny! I have only just found this post...I wouldn't do anything "crafty" with this lovely, lovely treasure, certainly not cut it up and re-use it, it really is too beautiful and precious. One school of quilt repair says any repair should be able to be undone...ie perhaps a careful repair of the rips by hand apliqueing a similar muslin on both sides to stabilise? A soak in the bath to remove the worst of the stains will bring it back to life...gentle squeeze to remove much of the water then spin in the machine - lay it out flat on a sheet (or a trampoline!)in the sun to dry. Good luck, whatever you chose to do or not do.
ReplyDeleteall the best, k
Thanks for your idea's Kate. I agree this old treasure needs to be washed. I will have to wait for the perfect day to do this!
DeleteThe hand quilting is fab! Great find. I hope you get to enjoy it for years to come
ReplyDelete