Vintage v Old Fashioned
 

I'm supposed to be making a quilt for my DGS and his future bride. They are all about vintage stuff (but NOT old fashioned) and want a vintage look quilt. Do any of you have any ideas about what that would be? They don't want anything modern looking either. I'm stumped.:confused:

I'd probably go for any 'traditional' type pattern but with 30's repros? A grandmother's flower garden would definitely fall into the 'vintage' category - at least in my mind - but do you have the time or desire to do something that involved for this project? I'm about useless with links for you but maybe google some quilt museums and see if you can look at quilts from the 30's/40's era for some inspiration? Good luck.

ETA: I would think 'homespun' might be their understanding of 'old fashioned' so maybe stay away from those type fabrics. Just a thought.

Have you considered a "wedding ring" quilt?
Or maybe an old fashioned sampler quilt?

I guess I'm not sure what the difference is. Vintage meaning like crazy quilt? Ask them what time frame they mean. Like the roaring twenties Art Deco etc? Old fashioned as in 9 patch? Or just colors? Like the dusty blues and mauve and the 'goose' period. I would consider GFG to be Old Fashion so you see it's all in the beholder.

I would chose a pattern that you are able to do and then go with the 1930's prints.

Get them to explain exactly what they mean by "vintage" and "old fashioned". These are very vague terms and can mean different things to different people. Maybe you could show them some photos of examples...

I agree with happyquiltmom -- those terms do not have specific definitions when it comes to quilts. The bride and groom may even have ideas that differ from each other, and they may not be able to put into words what they mean. Several pictures of quilts in various styles and colors might help them narrow it down for you.

Dayle

It may be me, BUT...It seems the receivers are being rather picky and awfully vague. Almost sounds like they may reject just about anything you will make for them.I'm with those who say choose a traditional design and use thirties fabrics.This may be one of those gifts you will never see displayed or used in their home.

Show them pictures of quilts you think would fall into this category that you are WILLING to make...This way what they choose would be something you want to work on...If you give them free rein you might end up hating the project the entire time

This generation uses the term "vintage" to mean mid-century stuff. Normally it does lean toward modern and definitely not kitschy or traditional. Some fabric stores have a category called "mid-mod" or just "mod"...you can take a look and see if these fabrics reflect what you already know about her tastes..i think this is what she might mean. As far as a pattern...i am guessing something linear no stars or flower patterns. both my kids are into the same type of thing so I'm just repeating what they tell me and what I see of what they like. To be safe, I'd at least ask for pictures or a real good description of what she envisions...then you can put your own spin to it.

They might be talking of the fabric more than the pattern. I believe I'd sit down with one or both of them and a computer (or a couple of quilt shop catalogs). If you choose the computer, I'd search for images of vintage quilts and fabrics and get them to point out what appeals to them and what doesn't. There are so many words-- vintage, antique, retro, shabby,, old-fashioned--used in different ways by different people. If you can't meet with them, maybe they could send you some photos after searching the computer on their own.

I would ask them to send you some pictures of what they perceive as "Vintage"...but if she is about the age of my daughter and her friends then Mea(above) gave you good information. There are some who make quilts out of old sheets and pillowcases from the late 50's, 60's and some who use new modern style fabrics. Look at Denise Schmidt Heather Butler and my favorite is Zen Chic.

Can you explain to them how much work (and time and money) is involved in making a quilt - and that you want to please them - but need more guidance as to what they mean.

I think the suggestion to let them select from patterns that you are willing to make is an excellent one. Then have them go fabric shopping (or picking, if they are going to shop your stash) WITH you. Changing the fabrics can give a different look to almost any pattern.

At the very minimum, ask them to give you some color combinations they like (Also the combinations they actively dislike!) Sometimes the colors help determine the style.

'Vintage' to some people can mean from 10 years ago - and when one considers how fashions and colors recycle, similar styles could have been from 40 or 70 years ago!

I think this quilt is an example of one that seems fairly easy to assemble, but changing the fabrics would give it a totally different look.

quiltingboard.com/pictures-f5/if-you-like-soft-colors-one-you-hot-off-machine-t201434.html

I agree with most of the others who posted here. I would have them pick a pattern and suggestions for the fabric. My children's idea of vintage is from about 1960 and differs greatly from my idea of vintage (civil war). With all the time and expense you will be putting into the quilt, it needs to meet their approval. JMHO
Sue

Definitely 30's prints and the Dresden Plate is a nice pattern to use for these fabrics. Personally, I think any of the old time patterns would be nice; i.e., Churn Dash, Ohio Star, Irish Chain, etc.

I think scrappy string quilts appear to be vintage

Why not gather some pics from the Internet and ask them about the style they have in mind? The terms Vintage vs. old fashioned are pretty vague and mean different things to different people. Did they maybe think shabby shic? I remember seeing a room in a vintage shop in Manhattan decorated in French provincial style. What drew me in from the street was the quilt on the bed. It was made from a number of soft color floral prints on white (mostly pink and red roses) with a simple country pattern - one print was a 10" or so square of fabric, no cutting. In that room it was beautiful and effective and both vintage and old fashioned at the same time. Let them look at pictures of different styles, pick a color and save yourself a headache.

You definitely need more input from them. One of my daughter's was making a hand quilted quilt for her sister's wedding thinking she had chosen colors her sister would like. She visited the quilting sister who showed the top to her saying it was for someone else. She hated the colors and actually said it wasn't something she would like in her house. QS was angry and hurt. The quilt was finished and given to someone else. Her sister received a wedding gift of cash. Can't dislike the color of money.

Vintage to me would never mean the 30s. I'd check with them.
Vintage to me brings to mind repro fabrics - Civil War era etc.
If that's the route you wind up going there are lots available
Reproduction Fabrics, Vintage and Vogue to name 2. You can Google for other sources.

I agree, have them google vintage quilts and send you those that they like. Make sure that they like both the fabric and pattern and that will give you a direction to head in. Vintage means so many different things.

I see the definitions this way...I am vintage, my grandmother was old fashioned. :o Using 1030's fabrics is a very big risk unless you know exactly what they like, imo. Same with any type of scrappy quilt pattern. I would definitely find out more details directly from them, and not rely on what we say here given the average age of the membership.

This is what I thought of when I read your description. I think it's classic, and could go with any kind of decor. I would probably stay away from 30's repos
http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com...5YgB5rOk_f.jpg

I would stay away from 30's also but ask them. One of the earlier posters was right when she said that mid-mod (late 50's - early 60"s) is the rage now. And that is considered vintage for a subset of people!

What she said.

Everyones vision of a quilt is so different....I would strongly suggest they go on line, do a goggle of quilt patterns and have them do a search and find....what we think and know is certainlly not the same to young people these days....we may know that this pattern or that pattern (like a crazy quilt or a wedding ring) goes way back, but thay may prefer a Mariners compus or log cabin.....there are so many, many, many patterns I would think you would have more success at pleasing them if they choose, ask for perhaps three choices of patterns, as we know some are harder than others...... Personally either a wedding ring (hard and time consuming) or a simple old log cabin (easy and quick) would work for vintage....maybe in feedsack retro fabric......IMHO :)

I like homespuns for that vintage look - it can be scrappy or co ordinated. easy to do with nine patch/solid squares, set on point. I would use muslin to go with it. Homespuns transcend all periods - and definitely isn't modern looking either.

I love the quilt, and the room is looks so peaceful. I would definitely stay away from the 1930's look - 1950's.

I love 30s but I am guessing that is what they see as "old fashioned". If you are making it to their taste then ask them to find some pictures. Everyone's taste is so different. I positively hate the quilt in the above picture but I really hate that yellow/gold color and I can't see much past that. It would be bad for everyone involved if they felt that way about all your loving work.

I would not do 1930s either. I love the pic jellybean posted and totally agree with her.

id ask for pics of 5 or 10 quilts they like, tell them to google, and then pic something that would be similar.

The first thing I thought of when I read your post the cottage look- soft printed pastels, but not 1930s prints. Cabbage roses and their smaller coordinates. You could use a pattern with larger pieces like a Turning Twenty type quilt as long as the fabrics were correct. It sounds like you need them to clarify what vintage is with them.

The 1930's look - what I call feedsack prints - does not appeal to everyone. When I was a kid, that was not the top drawer stuff!

I would look at some of the civil war era quilts such as Dear Jane, Dear Hannah, Underground Railroad quilt - all of these definitely have some history behind them and would have a story that you could share with your DGS and his bride.

I would think vintage would be the two toned ( blue and white or red and white etc.) designs. But vintage could be anything from the 30's to the 50's. I agree with the opinion that old fashioned would be the " goose and hearts" period, but then again, it's all subjective. If you really want to make this couple a quilt, I'd sit down with them and a few quilt books and pin them down on a more accurate description.

I agree with the comments that you will need to show them some pictures so that you are talking about the same thing. Had an experience like this recently that the person I was talking to about making a quilt did not understand enough about the terms that have specific meanings to make me understand what they had in mind. Ended up that they changed their mind about making the quilt at all after a bunch of discussion. I was relieved because I did not ever get what they wanted!

How about Eleanor Burns 'Love Knot' quilt ? It is a vintage pattern but can look really sharp. It is easy to do and turns out great every single time. You could use colors they like, it only takes 4 different fabrics.

I would caution you to seek more information into what they mean by "vintage"
I've heard 20-30 yr olds now consider the 1950's to 1970's as "vintage"....well heck...that must mean
I'm vintage LOL

Vintage... Think fabrics and color of the 60's or 70's beyond that would be old fashioned since vintage is considered anything over 20 years old and antique is at least 100 years old.

Have you thought about a wedding ring quilt, or double wedding ring quilt? How about an old fashioned Signature quilt? Then all at the wedding/reception can sign each block...

Better get more details from the kids!!

I would also give them parameters of what you are willing to do -

Size limit (Do you want to do a 'to the floor king-size bedspread'?)
Give them several designs to look at that you are willing to work on - they would not necessarily be limited to those, but you might get an idea of what they like (or don't like)
Color schemes - black and white, pastels and white, 30 feedsack repros, civil war, floral -

Or even select pictures of quilts from the picture section here and forward them to the kids to see what they like?

The "Vintage but not old fashioned" description has brought out all sorts of ideas from the members here of what it might be - - -

My reason for suggesting limits: I offered to make my DIL a quilt - and what I had in mind was couch size (about 60 x 80) and what she wanted was a king-size. I wasn't planning on covering a football field!