yolanda

I get such a feeling of wonder and honor when I see vintage quilts or blocks. I just finished making a quilt from vintage blocks and found it very reqarding to finish something that a quilter in the past was not able to.

OneMoreQuilt

Wow! What fantastic family heirloom pieces.

Ginger

What if you framed the blocks and hung them up to enjoy in a craft room or down the hall or stairwell. Some place out of direct sun light. It would be a shame not to enjoy them.

jaciqltznok

from working with the historical society I can tell you that you do NOT want to make a quilt out of them now. Even if they were stored well and not in a cedar chest or cardboard box, the dyes/fabrics used back then can not handle A-being handled and B- being washed in today's water/detergents!
Any exposure now will change them rapidly. The more handling the more damage!
You could make them into an album! Stitch a very nice thick cotton muslin cover like a binder and hand stitch them all into it like a book! You could make a cover page that gives the history of them. Then store that in wrapped in acid free tissue paper in an archival box!
Remember, cotton is always alive..it is a living fiber. It breathes the air you breathe and absorbs oils, odors, etc..
if you frame them make sure you have a professional do it so the air is not cut of from them and they dry rot!

Many historians are now saying not to even quilt vintage tops! Especially if they are of great quality and have signatures!

See if you have local museum that can assist you in finding the best way to display if you must!

greensleeves

This is a very good idea.

Sew Krazy Girl

The album idea above appeals to me. You may even do some genealogical research to see if any others are related to you. You never know! Write up a little page on each piece you can identify. Of course it would take you away from your quilt - but maybe another family member can help you. Just a suggestion. I'm excited for you.

Toto's Mom

I appreciate all the suggestions. I, too, am thinking they are probably too old and fragile to assemble at this point in their lives.
I like the album suggestion, as I already have an entire completed Pine Tree quilt dated 1910, from my Grandmother.
I just wanted to protect these things, and was not sure what to do with them.
Thanks for all the input.
Nancy

AndiR

What a treasure you have, Nancy! (And a cute pup too!!)

I would contact a quilt appraiser, historian, museum, etc. to get expert advice on the best way to preserve your blocks. Here is one website that may be able to point you to someone who can help:

http://www.quilthistory.com/restoration.htm

Toto's Mom

Thank you for this link. There are many sources to check out listed here. This should keep me busy for a while!
And Toto thanks you, too. He thinks he is FAR better looking than the cats! :D

TN Donna

These are wonderful. I would make a quilt and hang it on a wall. It is a part of your family you can never get back. My mama's mother was born in 1910.