Can anyone read the date on this quilt??
 

This is a quilt my daughter picked up from a free shop in her town. Looks to be made from wool or old clothes??

Looks like 1703. By the looks of the date and how many used to date long ago. Maybe March of 1917. Or too old? Or maybe it's March 17. Maybe some one's birthdate. Any other dates any where else that may have been camouflaged? My neighbor often labels along (not on) the binding in the same color thread. My sister-in-law was looking for label on one of her quilts. It was a Dresden and the label was in a shade darker on a blade near the binding. Just ideas where you may find another clue.

It sure is hard to read. It may not be a date at all. Can you see what the batting is? That might provide a clue. How about the fiber content of the fabrics? Is it tied? That pink plaid looks like a patch to me. That embellishment certain is unique!

This is certainly an interesting quilt.

I think it is 1903. It was hard to make the nine. I have 2 that my DH Mother made many years ago out of woolen clothes. And they used them. I found them in the garage of her daughter with the dogs laying on them. I grabbed them and took them home and washed them. They are mine now.LOL

It looks like 1903 to me.

Not sure, batting looks like cotton, like old fashion type?? The quilt looks tied with wool but almost to look like old fashion buttons?

The fabric is dated - and looks similar to a quilt made by my grandmother dating back to the early 1900's, - I'd guess it to be 1903 also - using wool from old clothing - and tieing was very much used back then - actually I think the only way anything was quilted then, except for hand stitched quilts.

My grandmother made dozens of these from men's suiting wools. No clue where she got the fabric from as grandpa didn't wear suits. Usually tied with red like yours. This was during the 50's and 60's when they had dozens of foster kids and someone always needed a blanket or two. The pink plaid looks like house dress material from those decades.

these were called farmhand quilts, meant for heavy wear and tear and were not hand quilted. She sewed them on her Singer treadle.

Thanks everyone, very useful information. I appreciate all help I can get on it. It's well tattered but well loved I guess. It is an interesting piece.

The wool looks like turn of the century, the 1900s.

The early ones often covered another old one. You could see the old tattered pieced one through the tears

I agree, looks like 1703 but maybe 1903 and one piece of embroidery is missing. Very interesting with the starburst design in the center. The "buttons" are the way wool yarn ties get after washing and use. They make like fuzz buttons. What are you doing about washing it?

Interesting info about wool yarn/ button......indeed a strange looking quilt, but must have served its purpose at the time...

When was the domestic sewing machine invented? Made practical for many to own? This certainly seems to be made by someone who maybe didn't have the $$$$ to purchase new so did with what was available. That star motif was machine sewn on as were the seams(s) so had to be after invention/mass production of sm....I would think anyway. And, probably used in a colder climate being all that heavy fabric pieces........see it's talking to us!

Wonder if down the road someone will try decipher one of ours.....

Looks like 1903 to me....what an interesting and charming quilt....love the star burst design. We call them waggas here...simple quilts made of old clothes (and often filled with old clothes)...Swaggies and shearers used sacking.

Thank you all so is much, it is very interesting indeed.

I think this quilt might have been made with samples of men's suit fabrics? Someone in my family used to sell suits and had lots of samples of fabrics. My grandmother would make quilts out of the samples, always tied with red too. This was probably when that fabric was discontinued?

I say this like I really know, but this is an old memory and may be entirely inaccurate. :)

Dina

Depending on the country of origin it could be (1-7-03 January 7, 1903 or in some European countries they put the day and then the month and year. So July 1, 1903.

Kalama Quilts, peddlers and tailors frequently had sample books to take with them or show to prospective customers. These sample books contained squares of fabric sewed or glued in the books. They enabled the customer to feel the fabric to check the weight and "hand" of the fabric. When the new books came out, people could buy, or were given, the sample books. These pieces from the books were then used in quilts.

Possible that it is Jan 7, 1903-1-7-03. Interesting.

Thanks everyone, very helpful indeed. I also think they were samples and some nice ones at that.

I'm seeing 1793. You really need to send these pics to the quilt museum in Paducah. The star may denote it's made from the clothes of a RWar soldier. I may be wrong...but you really need to get this dated & documented.

I googled "houndstooth" and found that it wasn't first used untill early 1800's, so that rules out anything 1703...I agree with others, having someone look at the fabrics and batting can tell you a lot about it's date, but as I see it, not 1700's quilt.

Sewing machines for home use were available in the mid-19th century. You can imagine how welcome they were when you consider the amount of hand stitches that had been necessary in making Victorian dresses.

That interesting star applique reminds me of some lodge symbols.

June 7, 1903 (is my guess) But I definitely saw a 6, a 7 , a 0, a 3

It looks like 1703, as I believe most older quilts simply added the year, with no other particulars.

Thank you, I think it looks like 1703 as well. I will have to do some checking into the quilt.

I would guess 1903, or at least that era. Those herringbone fabrics look to be from around that time. I would try to repair it as best I could, then have it looked at at a museum. At least that way you could get some idea.

My first guess was 1703. Second 1903, but it could be very well be 1/7/03 or 7/1/03. But I definitely think 1903. Really should have it checked. But a great find!