Antique redwork squares

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12-10-2014, 12:14 PM

#11

charsuewilson

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Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: Virginia

Posts: 1,203

27 squares is a bit much to frame and hang on a wall, so they would be best seen if they were finished into a quilt. I'd photograph each square so I could keep the image, and them make the quilt, photograph that, and use it. The best memories would be using the quilt as it was intended to be.

12-10-2014, 04:59 PM

#12

hray

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Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: Madison, WI

Posts: 187

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlottequilts

I wonder what she means by value. If it's historical, would she like it if some period fabric were used to combine them? If it's aesthetic, I can't imagine anything better than what QuiltnNan has posted. I wonder if she means monetary value, thinking "Antiques Road Show."

Hugs,
Charlotte

Exactly; she's seen too many Antiques Road Show programs where people are distraught that they "destroyed" heirloom furniture by repairing making it useful...

These squares have no significant monetary value, as far as I can tell--they were very very common and are worked up nicely, but there's nothing extraordinary about them. I hope I can convince her that as a quilt, they will be infinitely more valuable in emotions and memories than they'll ever be monetarily.

Thanks, everyone!

12-11-2014, 06:15 AM

#13

applique

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Join Date: May 2010

Location: MA

Posts: 1,507

I literally have hundreds of these donated to the museum each year and as the collections manager says "they are a dime a dozen"!

12-11-2014, 09:48 AM

#14

rosiewell

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Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: Benicia, Ca

Posts: 2,388

redwork squares

funny you should ask, I just finished this UFO red work I just need to do the binding

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12-11-2014, 12:55 PM

#15

MargeD

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Location: Lowell, MA

Posts: 14,083

Personally, I would make them into a quilt, as I have a red work quilt on my Roundtoit List for some day.

12-11-2014, 01:43 PM

#16

ruthquilter

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Join Date: Nov 2011

Posts: 24

I had red & white embroidered squares that my grandma & her sister had done. Made 2 quilts, 1 from each set. Both came out well & I was glad I did them. I would do the same with yours. Have fun making a quilt

12-11-2014, 01:47 PM

#17

tessagin

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Join Date: Mar 2013

Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.

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I would definitely make them into a quilt. That way they can be admired! Anxious to see them when finished!

12-11-2014, 06:26 PM

#18

greenjellybean

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Join Date: Nov 2014

Posts: 66

I would put them into a quilt.

12-11-2014, 07:33 PM

#19

GrannieAnnie

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Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: S. W. Indiana

Posts: 7,484

Quote:

Originally Posted by hray

A friend has inherited 27 hand-done redwork squares, about 6x6" each. According to a note with them, they were worked on by her great-grandmother's church group back in the 1920s. At this point they're just squares, not made up into a quilt.

She's undecided what to do with them. I told her we could work them into a quilt, but she's afraid that might diminish their value. IMHO, they're not particularly valuable right now as 27 small pieces of embroidery in a plastic bag.

What would you do with this material? It's in excellent condition and I don't think would be harmed by using it.

Thanks in advance.

my first thought is to stay out of the mess. If she sees more value in a plastic bag, let her do as she pleases.

Designing a quilt with the squares is the logical answer, however.

12-11-2014, 09:17 PM

#20

sewbizgirl

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Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Mississippi

Posts: 26,347

I agree with everyone else that they should be made into a special quilt, BUT... they are hers and not yours so be careful of being too pushy on making her do something she isn't comfortable with. Ultimately it's her decision.