Wednesday, July 1, 2009

VTT, Quilts

I'm a quilter so you know what you will frequently see on my blog, the title leaves no room for doubt!
For Vintage Thingies Thursday no surprise I have more vintage quilt stuff to show.
Last Saturday we went by a yard sale in the village, I didn't expect much [& wasn't too disappointed] mostly junk except for this quilt - for one dollar, can you believe? It's hand quilted, not terribly well & I have no idea of it's vintage - or even if it is vintage though it looks it to me. It's very heavy & I'm wondering if it has an old wool blanket inside? It was obviously a "planned quilt' because the fabrics all match from block to block & the border & binding too. Anyway, I think it's quite charming in a shabby chic sort of way, it's a nice cuddly quilt, a little worn but in fairly decent condition & with that lovely wrinkly look that quilts get when the batting inside shrinks up more than the fabric. I just couldn't leave it there for $1, could you? I washed it up & all the stains came out. Oxyclean rocks!

I have been buying more vintage blocks & tops on eBay - it is very addictive & here are a couple of my latest purchases.
These are all hand pieced vintage items, such tiny stitches, they are very special to me & I will take great pleasure in finishing them into usable quilts. I would never devote so much time myself to hand-sewing. When they saw them each of my two GS's said "someone has waaay too much time on their hands"! I explained that these were made many decades ago, 60,70 or even 80 yrs. earlier before there was a TV [or two or three - or more] in every home, & many women sat & sewed in the evenings after all their other household chores were done.
We also talked about the cost of sewing machines & the fact that not every household had one.
They like to hear about "the old days" & this was a "teaching moment" I could not resist!

The border on this scrappy quilt top is hand sewn too & a little "wavy", but I think I can "quilt out" the fullness of the extra fabric. For non-quilters, this is what can happen when the piecer doesn't measure the top carefully & cut the borders to fit.

I purchased these charming Grandmother's Fan blocks unfinished but with most of the hard work done, again hand sewn. There are plenty of them to make a nice size quilt especially if I sash the blocks. Typically these blocks were made from scraps of clothing, feed- sacks & other available bits & pieces of fabric. Included in this collection were several "fans" not yet attached to the center piece & a few odd blocks of other types quite unrelated to the fan block design.




One block was completed but we'll never know why the maker failed to finish her quilt. The same applies to all these incomplete items & I like to think about how it would delight the original owner to have them used. If you click here you will see one setting for a Grandmother's fan quilt but that's not how I plan to set mine after make these fans into full blocks. You can be sure I will be using a sewing machine - perhaps my trusty old treadle that sews such a perfect stitch & if I do I will post about it!
These may not seem like such treasures to others but to a quilter they are!
I'm going to stop looking on eBay at these vintage quilt pieces so I will not be tempted - well, at least I will try!
Now if you are hooked on vintage you can visit coloradolady's blog to see the list of all the other participants in VTT.

26 comments:

Dena said...

Ros, what a treasure to find that vintage quilt for a $1. I too love to browse on ebay for treasures but I have to be careful because I'll end up spending the entire day looking at everything.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

a quilt for one buck?! wow.. that is a great find! and the sewing machine is amazing.. is it workable? Happy VTT & have a great day!

Janet, said...

You got a very good deal on the quilt! I wish I had more time to devote to sewing, I love to sew. I have an old quilt top I got at a yard sale, someday I plan to put a backing on it and quilt it, maybe this winter.

Keetha Broyles said...

I have my grandma's sewing machine, and I'll be showing it on a later Vintage Thursday.

I LOVE that first quilt. The colors are so "quiet" and restful.

Postcardy said...

I love looking at the vintage materials in the scrap quilts even more than whole quilts. Gives me an idea for a collection. I would be happy with just one of each block. I do have a couple blocks I bought long ago. They are in the suitcase with my potholders and the rest of what I call my textile collection.

Anonymous said...

i just adore vintage quilts and own a few myself..ebay's addictive alright lol!!!..you've got some lovely treasures, Roslyn & i think your old treadle sewing machine is priceless :)

Anonymous said...

I know the original quilters would be delighted that you are finishing their quilts for them.

That's a great sewing machine - what's the story behind it?

LV said...

You are a lady after my heart. One of my greatest love is of quilts. You found some real jewels. One day, maybe I will share some of mine. Really an enjoyable post. Thanks too for visiting me.

CHER said...

oh how I wish I could quilt like that. Thanks for sharing!!! Have a blessed day,cher

Sarah said...

There is no way I could have passed up a quilt for 1 dollar either! Great find!!

CC said...

How wonderful your post is..I'm so happy that lovely quilt found a home where it is respected and loved. Love the quilt to..and the fan is lovely. It's one of my favorite patterns. Happy VTT..have a lovely and safe weekend.

Sue said...

Roslyn, You made a tremendous bargain purchase in that dollar quilt! I'm sure you'll find a way to fix the issue you aren't crazy about. I have to say I've been guilty about starting a project and not finishing it- then sending it off to the goodwill or selling it in a garage sale. Good luck with that project, too! Sue

the wild raspberry said...

what a great sewing machine and cabinet!
my favorite quilt pattern of all time is grandmother's flower garden...
have a wonderful day.
chasity

★Carol★ said...

That $1 quilt looks like a million bucks! You said you have been buying quilt tops on Ebay. I wonder if you bought one from me! I sold one to someone in Australia a couple years ago. Could it be you?! Small world, if so. I always wondered how the quilt had turned out. I love that you're saving these beautiful pieces of history!

Coloradolady said...

What a wonderful find, and I can not believe the price. I love your quilt blocks too.

It amazes me that sometimes you can find old quilts for little of nothing, and other times, they want a arm and a leg for them.


Have a great VTT and a wonderful weekend.

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

I can't believe you found that quilt for $1!!! It is so pretty and that is so great that you got the stain out. I definitely will take pictures of the glass insulators this weekend! I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Kristine

farmlady said...

That quilt for $1.00? I can't believe it. I need to go to more garage sales. You definitely got a deal on that one. Isn't OXYclean great?

I have a treadle sewing machine that I never even open. I should. You have inspired me.

Miri said...

I agree-I can't believe you found that quilt for a $1.00! I'm so glad you did and that it is now yours...it is just charming!

The scrap quilt is great-and lots of different fabrics!

Be fun to see how you finish up the fan blocks...I'm totally green with envy over your treadle sewing machine :)

Amy said...

oooh I'm loving your vintage sewing table.

Kim said...

A 1.00 dollar quilt! Makes me kind of sad that someone did all that work and it wasn't appreciated. Is it appliqued too? I do hope none of my quilts end up like that or used to wrap an appliance as its moved down the road.

On the other hand at least it has gone to a home where it will be loved and cared for until it dies.

Happy sewing

Gari in AL said...

I really love the $1 quilt. Can you imagine all that work for $1?

Bea said...

Ros, I never tire of looking at your vintage quilts. I would have had to pick that quilt up for $1 too. Good find.

Anonymous said...

A dollar? Never happens to me, never. I sure thank you about the Oxyclean tip; I've heard but not tried. I could have an Oxyclean day over here..
I like how you intend on making the full fan as opposed to the other, although it's pretty, I can't wait to see yours.
I think everyone needs a quilter, a doctor and a carpenter in their family!

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

I'd say you couldn't pass it up for a dollar. Great buy!

Vicky said...

yes, I agree with Joan, What a great buy. I like the old sewing machine, a vintage treasure..

Robynn's Ravings said...

$1.00 Ros???!!!! OMGOOODNESS. That's LOVELY. I can't believe you found such a steal and it looks so great. Lucky you! :)