Antique redwork squares
12-09-2014, 09:09 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 187
Antique redwork squares
A friend has inherited 27 hand-done redwork squares, about 6x6" each. According to a note with them, they were worked on by her great-grandmother's church group back in the 1920s. At this point they're just squares, not made up into a quilt.
She's undecided what to do with them. I told her we could work them into a quilt, but she's afraid that might diminish their value. IMHO, they're not particularly valuable right now as 27 small pieces of embroidery in a plastic bag.
What would you do with this material? It's in excellent condition and I don't think would be harmed by using it.
Thanks in advance.
She's undecided what to do with them. I told her we could work them into a quilt, but she's afraid that might diminish their value. IMHO, they're not particularly valuable right now as 27 small pieces of embroidery in a plastic bag.
What would you do with this material? It's in excellent condition and I don't think would be harmed by using it.
Thanks in advance.
12-09-2014, 09:30 PM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
The chances are quite good that they were worked on in the first place for a quilt. Hundreds of them were made in those days and many magazines and booklets contained the designs.
She might even find her squares among these images: https://www.google.com/search?site=&...56.Scnvu-Ffk7c
Jan in VA
She might even find her squares among these images: https://www.google.com/search?site=&...56.Scnvu-Ffk7c
Jan in VA
12-10-2014, 12:45 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,401
To me they aren't worth much until they are put in to a quilt. I guess you could frame each one and sell them as small pictures. As they say on the various shows, just because something is old, does not mean it is valuable. So they should decide to do something with them, sitting in a bag they are not even being admired which is too bad.
12-10-2014, 02:31 AM
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,430
I was given 25 red and a dozen blue redwork blocks. I had 3 grandchildren to make quilts for. These made terrific quilts for them and they knew that they were handworked by their great great aunt and cherish their special quilts, even at their young ages. I can only find two of the pictures just now.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]501997[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]501998[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]501997[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]501998[/ATTACH]
12-10-2014, 05:42 AM
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
What most non quilters do not realize is that blocks left undone can slowly lost their shape slightly. The best thing for them is having the support of being sewn into a quilt. Hand quilting would be the best way to finish the quilt. She is lucky to have your support.
12-10-2014, 07:10 AM
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,535
They might be what are called Penny Redwork squares. I think a quilt would be a great way to use them. Remind her they will either be sold at a yard sale, given to charity or thrown out when she is gone. No one lives forever.
12-10-2014, 10:09 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 812
I wonder what she means by value. If it's historical, would she like it if some period fabric were used to combine them? If it's aesthetic, I can't imagine anything better than what QuiltnNan has posted. I wonder if she means monetary value, thinking "Antiques Road Show."
Hugs,
Charlotte
Hugs,
Charlotte
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
