I Herd Ewe

I just got the first quilt washed and laid out to dry. I washed it by soaking it overnight in the tub with powder made to clean antique quilts that I got from my LQS. This quilt was wet when I received it and you could see where the bright red pieces were running so I knew I needed to wash it ASAP. The quilt seemed structurally very sound but so dirty and yellowed to the point you could not really tell what the pieced block colors were. Turns out the quilt was not nearly as yellowed as I thought. The quilt back actually is a lovely lemon yellow! The binding is made by turning the back to the front. There is no other yellow on the front though some places the batting is thin to gone and the yellow of the back shows through. It actually cleaned up pretty well. I put some ColorFast sheets in when I washed it and was pleasantly surprised at how much of the red runs faded away and the red pieces are now a clear bright red that look like they never faded at all in all these years. I thought the pattern was a red cross on white background but it turns out it is some kind of star pattern--just couldn't distinguish the black and grey print fabrics from the dirty white. I suspect some of the piecework that still looks the same color as the white was a print at one time long ago. Maybe those will be distinguishable when the quilt is dry.

So does anyone recognize this pattern?

redkimba

I adore the red block quilt. I would love to copy that for a future quilt. (is that alright?)

I Herd Ewe

Thanks dunster,

I talked to some museum curators and appraisers before when grandma gave me that first quilt and again before I finally cut that first quilt up for distribution. The advice I received then helps a lot with these quilts as well.

Some of these quilts will just need to be cleaned and then entrusted to their heirs with storage/display instructions. A few, it will be an easy decision to cut out any intact pieces we can to preserve and distribute. Some though are in bad shape but not necessarily hopeless condition. Those are the ones hard decisions will have to be made on. One is what was once a beautiful crazy quilt but is in awful condition. Due to the exotic fabrics used, I will be seeking lots of advice on it before I attempt to do anything, including cleaning it.

I Herd Ewe

Of course you may copy it redkimba. I can think of no greater compliment to its maker than someone liking her work so much they want to make a quilt like it. Many of the old quilt patterns were handed around from quilter to quilter. I received some old cardstock templates someone had copied from a quilt along with the blocks my mom's grandmother had made with them when I first started quilting years ago.

I Herd Ewe

Tattered and torn, this must have been a lovely, restful applique quilt when it was new. Pastel blue doves soar across a snow white background corralled by a scalloped blue binding. Fabric is very worn and thin, the binding almost gone and rips extend into the quilt. I wonder what color blue the doves were when the quilt was young.

I Herd Ewe

Tattered and torn, this must have been a lovely, restful applique quilt when it was new. Pastel blue doves soar across a snow white background corralled by a scalloped blue binding. Fabric is very worn and thin, the binding almost gone and rips extend into the quilt. I wonder what color blue the doves were when the quilt was young.

I Herd Ewe

A Baby Quilt! It was folded inside another quilt. Embroidered Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam parade across this one. Excellent condition too! The colors are very faded though. I am betting the blocks originally were some color other than white as the maker used a lot of white embroidery thread which does not show up well on the white background. I wonder if the pink in the sashing was originally red or pink. Amazing quilting too. This one is a work of art.

Vicki W

I wonder if the birds were bluebirds of happiness instead of doves and might once have been a brighter blue?

stitchntimesewing

Post pictures please. I would love to see them.

Lavada

beautiful quilts and many precious memories