I had an old settee refinished/reupholstered last summer and in the process, we found this old piece of quilted material used in the stuffing. I know the settee was built for my great grandfather around 1900-1910 so this quilt had to be old at that time. The man who did my settee felt the quilt was probably from the Civil War days. My question is "What do I do with it?" I am looking for suggestions. I had thought of using it as a mat an old picture frame and putting our family tree centered on it but the frames are too shallow and don't leave any air space between the quilt and glass, so decided not to do that. I think the only thing I could do is use a shadow box type of display with something in front of it. Although the quilt is in bad shape, it is amazing how bright some of the fabrics still are. What do you think?

What an interesting find!! I hope you find a really cool way to keep it!

WOW! I would go with picking out a good piece and putting it in a shadowbox along with the story. and a picture of the setee, before and after if possible

If you have a university close they would have a clothing and textile dept. that would be able to help date it. What a great find.

That is a wonderful idea.

Wow, that is a fabulous find.

I would create a shadow box with it as the backdrop for other antique sewing implements. That would be beautiful.

I didn't know that University's would do that (or could do that). I also have an antique wedding dress that has been in my family for years and while we figure it is about 120-140 years old, we really don't know. I would love to find out more about it and it's age.

frame it honey what a find

First, I would contact your local university to see if they could date it. Then, I would go from there. That small black and white patch may mean the quilt is of some historical importance. You never know.