Original "patchwork" quilts
#1
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Original "patchwork" quilts
I do think some utilitarian quilts in the past (those made for the hired man or hired girl) were definitely made out of "whatever" - and there were some that tried to make even those somewhat attractive by arranging the pieces in a pleasing arrangement.
Then i think there were some that just put pieces of fabric together until it was (barely) big enough to cover someone.
Thoughts?
Then i think there were some that just put pieces of fabric together until it was (barely) big enough to cover someone.
Thoughts?
#2
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Location: Illinois
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I think you are correct. My belief is that quilting had it's beginning from the waste not/want not generations. People from the past utilized everything they could. Clothing with holes still has some good fabric that wasn't thrown away as it is today. The idea of buying fabric and cutting it up to make a quilt would have women of the past aghast. This is why you may find vintage quilts with a variety of textures. It was simply usable fabric turned into something of use in another way. And we think recycling is something new!!!
#4
I do think some women used to buy yardage for quilts, not just scraps. Of course most of the quilts made during the Depression were scraps. But I have an old book (my first quilt book actually, bought second hand), published in 1964, that focuses on quilts made from 1840's to about 1920's. Most of the quilts are made from only three or four fabrics. The quilts are different sizes than what we generally make today, like 70"x85" being a "queen", so I guess the beds were smaller back then too.
#5
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I had some truly hideous and heavy utility quilts that were made from scratchy wool and tweed squares. They had started as tied warm quilts for winter at one time. Since someone later used them for the dogs to lay on, I threw them away. Do I regret that, nope, hideous and stinky.
#8
I think it depends on the esthetics and the means of the quilter. Just like now, some quilters were artistic and some just needed to keep their families warm. Some had the money to buy fabric and others collected old clothes. Same variety as today, (except today quilting has become an industry).
Some of the coziest quilts I have made are from cotton men's shirts I have cut up. Even with that fabric, one can be artistic.
Some of the coziest quilts I have made are from cotton men's shirts I have cut up. Even with that fabric, one can be artistic.
#9
Utility quilts on the other hand, yes, everything when into the pot. Waggas from Australia are great examples and bedroll quilts used by horse soldiers and cowboys. My grandmother fostered dozens of children and her utility quilts were made from mens suiting fabrics, garnered from who knows where. Backed with pajama flannel, Tied with red yarn, her signature. No binding, front and back were turned in 1/2" and seamed shut.
#10
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Location: West Coast, Scotland
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My grandmothers both had, and used, "quilts" which were wool blankets covered with large patches of a variety of cottons, some floral, some striped. Not pretty patchwork patterns, but a way of creating something a bit pretty while using every scrap they had. Still being used when I was a kid (50's/60's)
These were around WW2, every thing on ration in the UK. My mother told me she even knitted a sweater from darning wool since that was not on ration.
These were around WW2, every thing on ration in the UK. My mother told me she even knitted a sweater from darning wool since that was not on ration.
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