100 year old signature blocks
01-11-2011, 11:41 AM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by Toto's Mom
I need some help deciding what to do with 23 signature blocks that were hand pieced and signed in 1911, before my paternal grandparents were married.
I suspect this was for a wedding quilt, but don't know. There are blocks signed by my great-aunt, both Great-grandmothers, and one by an 88 year old lady ( in 1911), and numerous others of old New England heritage, from that small NH town.
Now....... I am debating whether I should use repro cottons, and hand assemble this into a quilt, or whether I should just leave them as a stack of blocks? I can and would do this by hand, as they are deserving of that much respect.
My Grandmother had them safely stored for many years, and then my Mom kept them safe when she inherited them from Dad's side of the family.
I know they are probably not of any real monetary value, but they are a part of my heritage that some day, I might pass to my daughter or grandson, if they develop any interest in family heritage.
I need some ideas, and recommendations as to what would be the best thing to do with these.
Would you assemble them into a small quilt?
Would you leave them as blocks and donate them to a museum in that area?
They are done from odds and ends, so there is no color scheme, but just what scraps of fabrics they had on hand, although the blocks are all done in the same pattern, except for one.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any advice.
Nancy
I suspect this was for a wedding quilt, but don't know. There are blocks signed by my great-aunt, both Great-grandmothers, and one by an 88 year old lady ( in 1911), and numerous others of old New England heritage, from that small NH town.
Now....... I am debating whether I should use repro cottons, and hand assemble this into a quilt, or whether I should just leave them as a stack of blocks? I can and would do this by hand, as they are deserving of that much respect.
My Grandmother had them safely stored for many years, and then my Mom kept them safe when she inherited them from Dad's side of the family.
I know they are probably not of any real monetary value, but they are a part of my heritage that some day, I might pass to my daughter or grandson, if they develop any interest in family heritage.
I need some ideas, and recommendations as to what would be the best thing to do with these.
Would you assemble them into a small quilt?
Would you leave them as blocks and donate them to a museum in that area?
They are done from odds and ends, so there is no color scheme, but just what scraps of fabrics they had on hand, although the blocks are all done in the same pattern, except for one.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any advice.
Nancy
I'd set tehm together with a black tone on tone grid.
01-11-2011, 06:36 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hamilton, Montana
Posts: 968
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
from working with the historical society I can tell you that you do NOT want to make a quilt out of them now. Even if they were stored well and not in a cedar chest or cardboard box, the dyes/fabrics used back then can not handle A-being handled and B- being washed in today's water/detergents!
Any exposure now will change them rapidly. The more handling the more damage!
You could make them into an album! Stitch a very nice thick cotton muslin cover like a binder and hand stitch them all into it like a book! You could make a cover page that gives the history of them. Then store that in wrapped in acid free tissue paper in an archival box!
Remember, cotton is always alive..it is a living fiber. It breathes the air you breathe and absorbs oils, odors, etc..
if you frame them make sure you have a professional do it so the air is not cut of from them and they dry rot!
Many historians are now saying not to even quilt vintage tops! Especially if they are of great quality and have signatures!
See if you have local museum that can assist you in finding the best way to display if you must!
Any exposure now will change them rapidly. The more handling the more damage!
You could make them into an album! Stitch a very nice thick cotton muslin cover like a binder and hand stitch them all into it like a book! You could make a cover page that gives the history of them. Then store that in wrapped in acid free tissue paper in an archival box!
Remember, cotton is always alive..it is a living fiber. It breathes the air you breathe and absorbs oils, odors, etc..
if you frame them make sure you have a professional do it so the air is not cut of from them and they dry rot!
Many historians are now saying not to even quilt vintage tops! Especially if they are of great quality and have signatures!
See if you have local museum that can assist you in finding the best way to display if you must!
01-11-2011, 07:02 PM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,213
I put together an antique quilt top simular to yours. Not all the blocks were quite the same size, I made adjustments without hurting the integrity, These were probably from the 30's all the ladies have passed on, some I knew. I used sashing that had tiny roses in mauve, Since there weren't enough blocks for a whole quilt I filled in with same size blocks of muslim that I had hand embroidered a large rose. My MIL name was missing and the block should have beeen easy to do, it took me 3 hrs. to get that dag gum block done. I FMQ the whoe thing except the center of the roses. If it falls apart in the wash someday so be it. I vowed to finish what my MIL never did. It is beautiful. You have to measure the value of your heirloom. Obviously someone intended for the squares to be put into a quilt.
01-11-2011, 07:17 PM
#48
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Murphy TX
Posts: 129
Do you have someone like a daughter or son who would appreciate the family heritage? I think a quilt should be part of the family, even if it is just displayed. If you can find a good way of making it into a quilt that would not damage it, I would do that. It would be fun if you have pictures of some of these people. Our family has spread out over the years, so we don't have the daily reminders of family.
Susan
Susan
01-11-2011, 07:25 PM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 1,321
Wonder if the last block was the center block that represented the one who was to receive the quilt??? Just a thoughts.
Originally Posted by Toto's Mom
Sorry it took me a bit to get the photos. My computer is nearly a 1911 vintage, too, and about as lively.
Has some age related difficulties.
Hope these pictures come through.
Has some age related difficulties.
Hope these pictures come through.
01-11-2011, 10:17 PM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Monmouth, Oregon
Posts: 5,884
Definately keep them and piece into quilt or wall hanging. Too precious to give up!!!
Originally Posted by Toto's Mom
I need some help deciding what to do with 23 signature blocks that were hand pieced and signed in 1911, before my paternal grandparents were married.
I suspect this was for a wedding quilt, but don't know. There are blocks signed by my great-aunt, both Great-grandmothers, and one by an 88 year old lady ( in 1911), and numerous others of old New England heritage, from that small NH town.
Now....... I am debating whether I should use repro cottons, and hand assemble this into a quilt, or whether I should just leave them as a stack of blocks? I can and would do this by hand, as they are deserving of that much respect.
My Grandmother had them safely stored for many years, and then my Mom kept them safe when she inherited them from Dad's side of the family.
I know they are probably not of any real monetary value, but they are a part of my heritage that some day, I might pass to my daughter or grandson, if they develop any interest in family heritage.
I need some ideas, and recommendations as to what would be the best thing to do with these.
Would you assemble them into a small quilt?
Would you leave them as blocks and donate them to a museum in that area?
They are done from odds and ends, so there is no color scheme, but just what scraps of fabrics they had on hand, although the blocks are all done in the same pattern, except for one.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any advice.
Nancy
I suspect this was for a wedding quilt, but don't know. There are blocks signed by my great-aunt, both Great-grandmothers, and one by an 88 year old lady ( in 1911), and numerous others of old New England heritage, from that small NH town.
Now....... I am debating whether I should use repro cottons, and hand assemble this into a quilt, or whether I should just leave them as a stack of blocks? I can and would do this by hand, as they are deserving of that much respect.
My Grandmother had them safely stored for many years, and then my Mom kept them safe when she inherited them from Dad's side of the family.
I know they are probably not of any real monetary value, but they are a part of my heritage that some day, I might pass to my daughter or grandson, if they develop any interest in family heritage.
I need some ideas, and recommendations as to what would be the best thing to do with these.
Would you assemble them into a small quilt?
Would you leave them as blocks and donate them to a museum in that area?
They are done from odds and ends, so there is no color scheme, but just what scraps of fabrics they had on hand, although the blocks are all done in the same pattern, except for one.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any advice.
Nancy
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