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Post by Billie on Jan 22, 2018 5:58:23 GMT
Anyone have any experience with really old quilt blocks? Would you even attempt to quilt them? I am just starting to research this and wondered if anyone has any advice or any good web sites to look at.
I have been asked to see about quilting these blocks and making them into two separate quilts. I have not seen these blocks yet so I have no idea of what kind of condition they are actually in. I know that makes a difference, from just the little bit that I have read. The fabric may be too fragile, as well. Have no idea how they have been stored/taken care of, etc. I will know more when I get to see them but wanted to go ahead and do some research on the subject.
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Post by mollymckee on Jan 22, 2018 7:08:15 GMT
There are ways to fix older quilts if some of fabric is ripped and missing. I would not attempt to machine quilt a quilt that old, unless the fabric was in unbelievable condition.i would look at the blocks and see what I thought, but what is the plan for the quilts if it can be done? I certainly would not think they could be used as anything but wall hangings. Having said that, I have some feed sacks from my great grand mothers farm. They are not the pretty prints, but have the feed company's name and logo. They are probably from the 1880-1890s and they are in wonderful condition.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2018 7:52:10 GMT
Anyone have any experience with really old quilt blocks? Hi Billie - how wonderful to have blocks that old. I'm envious!!!! I wonder if part of your research might include speaking to, or emailing, someone from a museum? Perhaps they have a person that specialises in fabric conservation or knows of someone that could give you some help. |
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Post by Maura on Jan 22, 2018 15:13:23 GMT
I agree with Kiwifarmgal on consulting an expert.
I would probably take one of the blocks and hand soak it in warm water to see how it fared. If it held its own, I would try adding a little Orvus. The accumulated dust is not doing the fabric any good.
It is also possible that the fabric was not preshrunk. You'd want to test a piece before putting a hot iron on it.
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Post by Billie on Jan 22, 2018 15:39:34 GMT
Tallpines, I had already thought about maybe framing a couple of the blocks. mollymckee, I am not sure what the intended use is to be of these blocks or their history. I have no idea how many blocks there are either. @kiwifarmgal, I had thought about going to a couple of quilts shops nearby but the idea of a museum or restoration person is a good. Duh! I know there are people in the big city to the south of me who do this. Thanks for jogging my memory on that. Maura, thanks, I will definitely soak and test before I do anything. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. I was just asked about this yesterday at church. I need to make a list of questions to ask about these blocks so I can help them decide what to do. The blocks belong to an older member of our church, however, another member asked me to to do this and was hoping to make it a surprise for him. He has 2 kids and the person asking wanted to split them so each child could have some. I in no way want to damage these blocks and from what I was reading last night most expects say not to quilt them. Thanks again.......off to do more goggling!
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Post by dustawaits on Jan 25, 2018 22:12:52 GMT
All depends on what they are made of. Brand new fabric?
Pieces cut from clothes worn? Feed sacks? Silk from tie or again from clothes?
All depends on how the fabric was cared for and stored.
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Post by Billie on Apr 15, 2018 20:28:14 GMT
Tallpines, first time I have been on here since the beginning of March. Been too busy! Anyway, I don't have pictures. I may be able to put them on FaceBook in a few weeks. I have dated the fabrics to the 1920's-30's (so not as old as first thought, but still vintage). I have identified 7 different sets of blocks. In one, there were 30 embroidered blocks with family names and I was able to find some of the people online and verified that they were related. Have been to a local quilt shop to talk with them and showed them the fabric. I only had 6 identified and one of the ladies figured out the 7th. Still figuring out what to do. I plan to try and start working on them in May after I return form Minnesota.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2018 21:38:37 GMT
Tallpines , first time I have been on here since the beginning of March. Been too busy! Anyway, I don't have pictures. I may be able to put them on FaceBook in a few weeks. I have dated the fabrics to the 1920's-30's (so not as old as first thought, but still vintage). I have identified 7 different sets of blocks. In one, there were 30 embroidered blocks with family names and I was able to find some of the people online and verified that they were related. Have been to a local quilt shop to talk with them and showed them the fabric. I only had 6 identified and one of the ladies figured out the 7th. Still figuring out what to do. I plan to try and start working on them in May after I return form Minnesota. How wonderful to be able to work with blocks that old, Billie. Definitely sounds to me like a project where each step of the process is to be treasured.  And being able to trace some of the family mentioned on the blocks is an even bigger bonus! Am following your journey with these blocks with much interest (not to mention envy, LOL). |
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Post by grannyg on Apr 16, 2018 19:24:47 GMT
I would not try to have them quilted...fragile fabric...would put them in display cases with other memorabilia you love....
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Post by Billie on Apr 16, 2018 22:34:19 GMT
I would not try to have them quilted...fragile fabric...would put them in display cases with other memorabilia you love.... The fabric does not belong to me. We will be putting some of them into frames to display and I will be sewing the blocks together. Surprising, some (not all) of the fabric is in good shape and there are scraps that I can test things out on before proceeding. As for quilting it, on a machine (no). Hand quilting or just hand tying/tacking "may" be a possibility. Testing on the scraps will determine that. |
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Post by Wendy on Oct 5, 2018 1:05:18 GMT
I have come across some blocks my grandma made that we found when cleaning out my aunt's house. It is a Dresden plate pattern. Grandma has been gone for 42 years so they are older than that. I did sew them together and plan on hand quilting them. I will try to post a picture when I get it done. I've always wanted to do that pattern.
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And being able to trace some of the family mentioned on the blocks is an even bigger bonus! Am following your journey with these blocks with much interest (not to mention envy, LOL).
