Originally Posted by
Jan in VA
I'd like to address the issue of binding fabric only. I still have in my collection some of these very fabrics, so I do wonder if some of them may be a bit less than 50 years old, more like 35-38 years old??
Nonetheless, other than the red circled fabrics below, which indicate the ones I am so familiar with, the light green and the light yellow are still available in Kona cottons from Kaufman. Several online shops carry them.
Also Connecting Threads carries solids that are similar to these solids in your quilt. They even carry some "ditsy" prints like the ones I circled, little tiny prints that look "old fashioned".
You won't have trouble finding something that will work very well for binding and be period correct for your lovely treasure.
Jan in VA
Hello My Special Friend Jan ~
When Kate gave this flimsy to me it definitely was 1967, I have the dated gift card December 5th 1967 (I found a gift card yesterday in our wedding book), she passed away in December 1969 age 91, the same month my father passed away. My DH and I were married in August 1967, at that time she gave us a completed hand piece and hand quilted, quilt which is still used and displayed on one of our beds from time-to-time.
I had taken this flimsy to my long arm person when I was dropping off another quilt for him to quilt for me. I wanted his opinion on whether to quilt this flimsy. He said that he had quilted several 'antique' quilts. I said, "Well though this isn't an antique I'd still like to have it quilted so I could use it." My husband laughed along with my long arm guy and said, " In another year it will be 50 years." I was gob-smacked at the thought it was nearly 50 years old since it was given to me, and I'm sure it took Kate some time to piece it, so I surmise the fabrics are definitely 50+ years old.
It's kind of like hearing for the first time someone the same age as yourself referred to as elderly! What age are we officially 'elderly'? It was a shock to my system to hear me referred to as an elderly person by my doctor, I'm 67 closing in on 68! But I digress.
Though you may have the same fabrics, I do know for a fact the age of this flimsy. My personal provenance of this flimsy is based on the date of presentation to me as a gift to a young bride and her husband. (where has time gone???)
I'm thrilled that you have suggested Kona solids for the binding. I have dropped the flimsy off with LA so the woman that binds his quilts can assure me that she wants to tackle binding this. I will be providing the binding fabric so I'm so grateful for your suggestions. I do think I will try and replicate one of the colors of the four patch. I will take a look at Connecting Threads 'ditsy' fabrics (giggling here at the word ditsy) at your suggestion too.
Would you suggest using the Kona Solids for the backing too?
On a side note which amuses me, I was thinking the reason Kate may have given the top to me as a flimsy, is perhaps she didn't want to bind it for the same reason I'm perplexed by the complexity of binding around the four patches with all those inward corners. Kate was a delightfully comical fun person. She never seemed to put needle and fabric down, during any visit with her she continued to stitch, telling of her life in snippets of stories about Ireland, being a new bride in the 'new' country of "the U.S. of A." How she loved living in NW Ohio, but she'd always be Irish and she had loved me since I was a wee one. Oh the memories.... Yes, this flimsy needs to finished.
(((Hugs))) to you Jan....
Last edited by onaemtnest; 01-07-2016 at 06:52 AM.