100 year old signature blocks
#11
I get such a feeling of wonder and honor when I see vintage quilts or blocks. I just finished making a quilt from vintage blocks and found it very reqarding to finish something that a quilter in the past was not able to.
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
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!
#16
The album idea above appeals to me. You may even do some genealogical research to see if any others are related to you. You never know! Write up a little page on each piece you can identify. Of course it would take you away from your quilt - but maybe another family member can help you. Just a suggestion. I'm excited for you.
#17
I appreciate all the suggestions. I, too, am thinking they are probably too old and fragile to assemble at this point in their lives.
I like the album suggestion, as I already have an entire completed Pine Tree quilt dated 1910, from my Grandmother.
I just wanted to protect these things, and was not sure what to do with them.
Thanks for all the input.
Nancy
I like the album suggestion, as I already have an entire completed Pine Tree quilt dated 1910, from my Grandmother.
I just wanted to protect these things, and was not sure what to do with them.
Thanks for all the input.
Nancy
#18
What a treasure you have, Nancy! (And a cute pup too!!)
I would contact a quilt appraiser, historian, museum, etc. to get expert advice on the best way to preserve your blocks. Here is one website that may be able to point you to someone who can help:
http://www.quilthistory.com/restoration.htm
I would contact a quilt appraiser, historian, museum, etc. to get expert advice on the best way to preserve your blocks. Here is one website that may be able to point you to someone who can help:
http://www.quilthistory.com/restoration.htm
#19
Originally Posted by AndiR
What a treasure you have, Nancy! (And a cute pup too!!)
I would contact a quilt appraiser, historian, museum, etc. to get expert advice on the best way to preserve your blocks. Here is one website that may be able to point you to someone who can help:
http://www.quilthistory.com/restoration.htm
I would contact a quilt appraiser, historian, museum, etc. to get expert advice on the best way to preserve your blocks. Here is one website that may be able to point you to someone who can help:
http://www.quilthistory.com/restoration.htm
And Toto thanks you, too. He thinks he is FAR better looking than the cats! :D
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