Linda B

I inherited 80 + Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks from my mother which she put together when she was 15 or 16. That would be 1929 or 1930 and several of your fabrics are very similar to the prints in her blocks. They are certainly of similar 'type'.

Candace

I don't do hand applique, but if I could piece together the rest of the block, I'd do it. The finished star blocks are done in white and somewhat match these.

Yes, these feel old and look old. I've never seen repros that look exactly like these either. Some of the aging stains may come out when it's washed or maybe not. I think it adds character to the fabric. I've got about 30 more blocks that I've made to square up and then I'll try to put them all together somehow.

Gramof6

Some may be original but not all. I see a few that I have, that are repro's that were bought in the late 90's. You have some BEAUTIFUL fabric there! Those 30's are my very favorites. Enjoy.

Candace

Thanks for the pictures. Beautiful! Yes, the fabrics looks very similar. Do you know if they were feedsack fabrics?

Candace

But don't the repros copy some fabrics? I think these are all the same age.

Gramof6

Wish they would reproduce that particuar shade of green Linda B. That is gorgeous.

Linda B

I've never knowingly (is that a proper word?!) seen feedsack. They all felt like cotton although some were a little stiffer than others. Considering that a few of the hexagons were scraps of the same fabric pieced together to be big enough for the 2" hexagon, I would imagine they collected usable fabric from whatever source was available. Unfortunately, I wasn't interested in quilting until several years after my mother died so I was unable to ask her about the fabric.

Gramof6, that green is one of the reasons I decided to applique the blocks on an antique white background. I could not match the green. And this was my mother's first quilt work and many of the outside hexagons were misshapen making attaching new hexagons almost impossible. There was some very 'creative' ironing necessary to get them in shape to use.

ScubaK

I am thinking they could also be early 40's...
Just because some of the colors that are being brought in...
Kirsten

Candace

Linda, I was also given a couple of Grandmother's garden blocks in this bag. Did you machine applique the edges down? I'm assuming you carefully turned down about 1/4" on the outside first?

Candace

Here's a couple of photos of 6 star blocks that I was able to trim, square and then add sashing to make the same size, finished block. Otherwise, they would be a nightmare to put together. I'm hoping to find a way to finish off the other star blocks to incorporate them in the same quilt. Also a picture of the 2 grandma's flower garden blocks that are also older and hand pieced. I don't think they're as old as the 30's fabrics though. Maybe I'm wrong...