If you think you have entered the giveaway I posted on Tuesday, please make sure you have completed both parts of the entry process. You need to both leave a comment on Tuesday's post AND fill out the rafflecopter entry.
I apologize for any confusion. This is the first giveaway I've done, and obviously I need to learn to be more clear. Thank you for your patience!
If you haven't entered yet, there is still time. Just follow this link.
And now, on to today's post:
I find the concept of worth fascinating. What one person deems of no value, another treasures.
Recently, I went to a yard sale. More descriptively, the "yard" was more of a dumping ground on someone's acreage. A couple of years ago, I had stumbled across a sale at the same place. I had been awaiting the time the owners would hold another sale. It looked like they had at least as much stuff as they did before, but this time, the wares were displayed in an even more haphazard fashion. The last time I had been there, I purchased an old outdoor iron rocking chair for $2, as well as a china set for $5 or $10, so I knew that I should take my time to explore.
I gingerly stepped over the items which were strewn all over the dusty ground, and then I spied something that caught my eye. "Oh!" John followed my gaze but didn't understand what I saw. After John killed (at my request) the huge spider that was crawling on the fabric, I scooped the material up in my arms. The man in charge of the sale saw me carrying my find, and he said, "You can just have that blanket." I repeated what he had just said, hardly believing the words, "I can have it?" He assured me I could have it, and said he was also giving away any toys or games. I didn't have any need or desire for toys or games, but I could not believe my luck with my "blanket."
After getting it home, I soaked it for a while, then washed it on the gentlest cycle I could, and air dried it.
Yes, that is 140 squares of hand-pieced, hand-stitched quilt. Wow! It is fragile, and I'm pretty sure it won't stand up to repeated washings, but I love it. I haven't quite figured out what I will do with such a "blanket," but I love to imagine about the history--the thrift represented by its construction from little scrap bits of fabric, the time that went into the sewing and quilting, and the warmth it provided to people through the years.
So, my quilting friends, what do I do with it? Is there some way to preserve it without just keeping it hidden away in a cedar chest?
Thanks for ordinary women, who accomplish extraordinary tasks, one stitch at a time.
Linking to Farm Girl Friday.
I apologize for any confusion. This is the first giveaway I've done, and obviously I need to learn to be more clear. Thank you for your patience!
If you haven't entered yet, there is still time. Just follow this link.
And now, on to today's post:
I find the concept of worth fascinating. What one person deems of no value, another treasures.
Recently, I went to a yard sale. More descriptively, the "yard" was more of a dumping ground on someone's acreage. A couple of years ago, I had stumbled across a sale at the same place. I had been awaiting the time the owners would hold another sale. It looked like they had at least as much stuff as they did before, but this time, the wares were displayed in an even more haphazard fashion. The last time I had been there, I purchased an old outdoor iron rocking chair for $2, as well as a china set for $5 or $10, so I knew that I should take my time to explore.
I gingerly stepped over the items which were strewn all over the dusty ground, and then I spied something that caught my eye. "Oh!" John followed my gaze but didn't understand what I saw. After John killed (at my request) the huge spider that was crawling on the fabric, I scooped the material up in my arms. The man in charge of the sale saw me carrying my find, and he said, "You can just have that blanket." I repeated what he had just said, hardly believing the words, "I can have it?" He assured me I could have it, and said he was also giving away any toys or games. I didn't have any need or desire for toys or games, but I could not believe my luck with my "blanket."
After getting it home, I soaked it for a while, then washed it on the gentlest cycle I could, and air dried it.
Yes, that is 140 squares of hand-pieced, hand-stitched quilt. Wow! It is fragile, and I'm pretty sure it won't stand up to repeated washings, but I love it. I haven't quite figured out what I will do with such a "blanket," but I love to imagine about the history--the thrift represented by its construction from little scrap bits of fabric, the time that went into the sewing and quilting, and the warmth it provided to people through the years.
So, my quilting friends, what do I do with it? Is there some way to preserve it without just keeping it hidden away in a cedar chest?
Thanks for ordinary women, who accomplish extraordinary tasks, one stitch at a time.Linking to Farm Girl Friday.
It sounds like you have already done what was needed - rescuing it and a gentle bath. If it ever needs washing again, I recommend just soaking it in the bathtub.
ReplyDeleteDisplay the quilt and enjoy it - the quilter would be pleased that you are enjoying and admiring her work.
I am enjoying it. Thanks for your advice; I knew I could count on more experienced quilters.
DeleteWhat a find! And I've not seen the hummingbird block sashed before! Or with the 2 corners scrappy! It's wonderful! And yes, you should definitely use it. Air it out every so often.....wash only when actually soiled. And then just a soak in a tub and air dry flat on a blanket (don't hang it when it's wet....it'll rip it for sure!)
ReplyDeleteOR you could fold it over a quilt rack for display, or folded over the back of a chair or couch. But definitely don't hide it in a trunk.....it should be out, so it can do it's job.....keep you warm and comforted! Love it!
Thanks for letting me know the name of the block, and thanks for your suggestions. I haven't decided exactly where it will end up, but I'm having fun figuring it out!
DeleteOh Kristi, what a treasure! And for free too! Since you do not think it would hold up to repeated washings (using it on a day to day basis), I would display it on a quilt rack or us it as a throw over a chair and make it clear it is not to be used. LOL This way it will be on display and admired but not getting dirty with oil from people's hands. Each spring, hang it outside in the sunlight, give it a gentle beating to remove any dust and bring it back inside. (don't leave it too long as the sun can be damaging). Whatever you chose to do, congratulations on finding a piece of history and preserving it. Does it have a name or date anywhere on it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. Unfortunately, I can't find a name or date.
DeleteHi Kristi, I'm Anne from Life on the Funny Farm (http://annesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com) visiting from the Farmgirl Friday blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that you not only found this quilt, but got it for free! Unbelievable! Hope you're able to find a good way to display it...
Anyway, it’s nice to "meet" you. I hope you can pop over to my blog and say hi sometime if you get the chance.
Oh now that's really cool! I have one I found at the thrift store this summer that is also old. Mine is in need of some repair but I couldn't pass it up. Like you I couldn't help but wonder who made it, and all the other things you said. The edge of mine is really worn and the whole thing has COTTON in it. When I saw that there was NO WAY I was going to pass it up. I got it for under 1.00! I will have to get some pix of it and do a blog post about it. Like you I washed mine in gentle cycle so I wouldn't lose anymore cotton. Anyway am on the hunt now for some old beige or old faded out yellow cloth for the edging of it because I don't want to put new on it to fix the edges.
ReplyDeleteMy blog addy is http://mrsbettybargain.blogspot.com/ and I will try and make a post with pix of mine within the next week so you can see it. I was excited as you are about yours. Congrats by the way and I am SURE you will find some way to use it. I was thinking the same as you, it can't handle too many washings so how I can I use it. So I decided to use it as a throw and put it on the back of my sofa.
This quilt is an awesome find! I recently was at a festival with a little flea market and ended up buying an old quilt for $25. It's kinda poorly stitched, but I still know that someone put love into it and I couldn't pass it up!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, what a find for free. this block is known as the hummingbird block, aalso sometimes called Job's tears. the person making this made a true scrappy quilt, using what she had.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and thank goodness you rescued this "blanket"! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFreemotion at the River Linky Party Tuesday