Originally Posted by
onaemtnest
Thank-you to each and every one that has taken the time to respond to my request. Thank-you's to those that have contacted via PM offering advice and vintage fabric. I have considered all of your suggested options. I will label the quilt so wherever it may end up after I'm no longer the keeper of this quilt there will be a provenance.
With all things in life I think we are all bound by the limits of our present financial situations. When DH and I were both working before retirement this decision would have been a 'no-brainer' I would have only had it hand quilted. Now we are both retired on fixed incomes, financial choices are more difficult and considered more carefully.
I'm waiting to hear from one more hand quilting group, at this point the two I have 'estimates' from are nearly 4 X's the cost of having it quilted by my trusted LA person.
The quilt is a 102" X 90" and I understand those who have suggested that I should not even consider having it quilted by machine. My option is not being able to afford hand quilting for hire and just leaving it in storage and never being able to enjoy it or opting for the LA and having it for me to enjoy and display.
So again, I thank everyone who has taken time to help me with numerous options and your kind advice.
(((HUGS))) TO ALL!
I think the best advice given to me when a beginner was to use the best fabric, etc THAT YOU CAN AFFORD. I think it's excellent advice for all of us to remember. And I like that you are planning to finish this quilt so it can be enjoyed. I bought hand pieced bowtie blocks at an estate sale--probably pieced in early 60's judging by newest fabric, but some older fabrics and the whites were from men's shirts. I sewed them together and LA them. Restoration cleaning solution made both the whites and colored fabrics sparkle, BTW. While it would have been "truer" to hand quilt, I knew that wasn't going to happen--this way it's done & can be enjoyed. I say, "go for it!"