Antique Quilt Ideas
 

What constitutes an antique? My dear friend's mother just gifted me 10 hand embroidered blocks, 5 dogs & 5 cats, all the same. They have been passed down since 1940 (dated) from one family member to another. They measure about 9-9.5". I was thinking about snowballing the corners & adding sashing, but that still doesn't give me enough of a width & I'll have to add more. What would you recommend? Thanks!

How precious!!!

The background "seems" to be a flour sack type material? I'm going to assume that the pattern was printed on them and someone (as the note stated) who "never married" stitched them together...

here is a discussion of the difference between vintage and antique http://homeguides.sfgate.com/tell-qu...ue-102079.html

what a treasure you inherited. A quilt is dated from the most recent fabric.

Here are some pics of the blocks. I have 10, one more of each would've made a set! The bottom of one of the blocks says: No 758-B Quilt Blocks F48 Ask For ANOTHER VOGART ORIGINAL FREE
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oh my, what beautiful embroidery. Can't wait to see what you do with these precious hand me downs

Those are really cute. I would probably frame them with a solid color and look for a small 1930's print that would cut 10 blocks and then have 20 total so that it is 4 across and 5 down.

What pretty embroidered blocks. Can't wait to see your finished blocks/quilt.

The blocks are beautiful! Can't wait to see how you decide to use them or set them.

I cut 2 more squares and I've traced one of the two patterns. I'm planning on finishing 12 blocks total. What do you think?
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I have some similar blocks. I'm planning to use my vintage fabrics and put some 1 or 1.5 inch strips around them, scrappy style, maybe two to three sets of strips around each block and then piece them together into a baby quilt. :)

That's great! Where have you been able to find them?

the blocks or the vintage fabrics?
The vintage fabrics I've collected from garage sales. The blocks my mom had a friend embroider when my mom was dying, knowing she wouldn't be around to make quilts for her grandchildren.

Finished with #6. Comparing it to #5 (original)
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Looks great!

I think yours blends perfectly, how clever. Very much look forward to seeing this quilt finished, it will be so sweet.

I snowballed the block & added a 4 patch. What do you think?
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I'm wondering if I should add interfacing of some sort to keep the embroidery stitches in place? They are very frail. What would you recommend?

Yes, I would do that. It's likely that the base fabric is not the best quality either, so stabilizing them all would definitely save this work for a longer time when you are finished.

At my guild we have been encouraged to use a very light weight fusible behind all our base blocks before doing any redwork as it help to hide the tails, etc. of the stitches. I really like the look that this idea has given my work.

Since you have already begun the stitching, try it on one block first to see if you can get a good flat fuse on the fabric. Otherwise you might want to fuse first THEN stitch the rest of the blocks. Not sure how that will look; you'll need to compare I suppose. They sure are cute though!

Jan in VA

These embroideries remind me of the first kit I got for Christmas when I was a small child about 7 -8 years old. That would've been in '57-58". Much like some blocks of redwork I got at an estate sale also.

I agree with Jan, you would have to go with something really fine though. I love the look of the snowballing, embroidery never shows up too well on computer monitors, just be sure in your own mind (and visuals) the embroidered blocks do not get lost with the vibrancy of the patch blocks. You may wish to consider using solids?

I like the idea of using nine-patch blocks with these embroidered blocks using soft colors. They are so pretty.

What type of interfacing should I use? I picked up a yard of this to try out today. What do you think?
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Since the hoop outline cannot be erased by either heat or water on these blocks, I decided to use the same green to disguise it & frame the pictures and try to give it a "finished" look.
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The fusible interfacing I've use says "featherweight" or some other word to mean ultra light weight. Also from Joannes.

Did you try dampening it from the back ONLY on the hoop lines and then pressing? But, I think the hoop markings will eventually relax out.

I found the backing to this project. What do you think?
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Sorry, not the minion...

Antique: at least 100 years old
Vintage: at least 50 years old
Your blocks are lovely! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you!

I think Vogart made embroidery designs years ago. Check them out in Google you might get some ideas or info on your blocks.

Ready to finish it! How would you quilt this at home? Thank you!
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It's finished! I'll be handing it over Saturday morning. Hope they like it...just did stitch in the ditch & variegated thread on the binding.

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Sweet! I am sure it will be much loved.

Very sweet! When I first looked at the pix, I thought your rug was a border on the quilt! Your friend and her Mom will be very happy with your work!

I really wish I had space for a design wall! I'm going to research for a wall in tiny spaces... what would you recommend?

If you want to embroider another pair to make a set of twelve, try making a rubbing of one of each on plain newsprint, then tracing the design.