Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Reusing antique Feedsack quilt >

Reusing antique Feedsack quilt

Reusing antique Feedsack quilt

Old 05-11-2012, 01:16 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4
Default Reusing antique Feedsack quilt

As a child I slept under feedsack quilts at my grandmother's home in Denver. I was given two of them. They must be from 1910-30 time frame. The pattern is very simple and the squares are random, a mixture of squares and crazy quilting. I like some fabrics more than others. They were created for warmth and utility, not beauty. I really don't like the overall look of the quilts, but the fabrics in them that I like give me good memories. Is it possible to untie the quilts and reuse the fabrics in a more appealing way? I could easily untie the quilts as they are tied with yarn. They have large pieces in them as well as 3" squares. Are they valuable even though so simple and unappealing? right now they aren't helping anyone in my closet, so perhaps nothing ventured, nothing gained (or lost).
What do you think? I will try to send a picture.
rosiesews is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 01:56 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
Default

no problem reusing the fabric. You may find that the ties left holes in the fabric tho and will have to work around those. As to value. While I'm not an appraiser there probably is not a lot of dollar value in them. And you can find feedsacks to add to what you have if necessary. Prices of feedsacks and pieces on ebay and other sites are way too high but it is possible to find them at reasonable prices. Large qult shows will have vendors with vintage fabric. I even have a couple boxes in the closet. So take them apart and reuse, remake and enjoy.
Holice is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 02:06 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: dallas tx.
Posts: 5,172
Default

I would keep them like they are if they were mine. But that's just me. It is a real piece that shows how your grandparents lived back then. That's what they had to work with.
barny is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 03:34 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4
Default

Thanks
Rose
rosiesews is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 03:37 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
Default

I don't think I could bear, to undo a piece of family history.
Neesie is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 04:56 PM
  #6  
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Posts: 93
Default

Same here I wouldn't be able to take them apart. Maybe you could loan it to a local museum for display?
LyraJean is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 05:52 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Holmen, WI
Posts: 6,459
Default

Originally Posted by barny View Post
I would keep them like they are if they were mine. But that's just me. It is a real piece that shows how your grandparents lived back then. That's what they had to work with.
Same here. Plus, actually I think they are more valuable (money-wise) as-is. On "Antiques Roadshow" they always talk about leaving antiques in their original condition. Just my 2 cents worth...
burchquilts is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 06:03 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
SittingPretty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: East Central Wisconsin
Posts: 679
Default

They are your quilts and you can certainly do what you want with them. However, will your memories be the same if you undo them and remake them? I bet you had some happy times snuggled under them, warm under the quilts and in your grandmother's love. Think first. Decide later. If you're just hiding them in the closet and would like to use them, well maybe it would be better to redo them. Afterall, I'm sure your grandmother would rather you use them and enjoy your memories then just stuff them in a dark closet.
SittingPretty is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 06:45 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
luvTooQuilt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: A Hop from Heaven, a Skip from Sanity and a Jump from the Good Life....
Posts: 6,665
Default

We often hear about QB members finding a family heirloom that was basically given away at a dirt cheap price and wonder how a family member can give away something that a loved one made, IMHO this falls in the same category for me.. Once cut up and torn apart it is no longer 'that' quilt you once snuggled under.... I have quilts that are definitely not my cup of tea, i do enjoy the fact that even if I think its ugly it was made from love, a lot of hard work not to mention lots of time that went into making it, even as a 'utility' quilt.. I do use my ugly quilts from time to time when weather permits.. I more afraid of being haunted by her if i don't use it!! lol..

It is your quilt to do as you please, and if cutting it up makes you happy then do what makes you happy..

Last edited by luvTooQuilt; 05-11-2012 at 06:48 PM.
luvTooQuilt is offline  
Old 05-11-2012, 08:31 PM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,783
Default

I don't think there's any right or wrong here. I can agree with both sentiments: leave it as is, and re-use the fabrics to make something you like. It doesn't sound like taking the quilt apart and re-using the fabrics will destroy a quilt that is worth a ton of money and must be left untouched. So I think you should do what will please you the most. Some people would be most pleased with the quilt exactly as it was created, whether it was their cup of tea or not. Others would dislike the quilt as is, refuse to use it, and it may end up at Goodwill, which would be a shame. You sound like you are in that category, and if so, enjoy recreating the quilt into one you like better with good memories built into it from the vintage fabrics you slept under.
JustAbitCrazy is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kindleaddict63
Main
10
11-17-2014 11:36 AM
ILoveToQuilt
Main
8
04-21-2014 06:36 AM
Mari Marike
Pictures
45
03-14-2014 12:48 PM
kellen46
Pictures
40
11-04-2010 12:58 PM
Luv Quilts and Cats
Main
14
05-16-2010 10:18 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter