I think this might be the type of quilt that would be used for display and not actual every day use. Therefore, washing would not be a factor. Perhaps it was draped over a display table with mementos of the decease person.

Love how this thread has gone from admiring the quilt... to destinations for dates... to funeral traditions... to dating advise! :)

Very interesting concept from the 20's. I would not imagine that this quilt was washed much be rather used as a rememberance of the deceased such as a piece of jewelry made from hair was made in the vicitorion area. .

Ribbon pillows
 

My great aunt made woven pillows out of the funeral ribbon. As a child I can remember her giving one to my Mom. I thought they were kind of weird, but she always made them for people. She was truly the embodiment of reuse, repurpose. My sister, Mom, and I all have hand pieced quilt tops made of our old play clothes. Someday I will quilt them.http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...den-gate-1.jpg




QUOTE=Prissnboot;6523025]Hi, I went to the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston yesterday - something I've always wanted to do, and what an interesting thing to do for a second date as well!

Anyway, imagine my surprise to see a quilt there, of all things, and I thought people here may find it interesting.

This is what the information posted next to it said:

"This mourning quilt was made in the 1920s from the different color floral ribbons attached to the flower baskets, which were sent by family and friends of the deceased to the funeral service.

"The funeral director would remove the floral ribbons from the flower baskets after the funeral service and give them to the family. Usually the family members of the deceased would sew the floral ribbons together and a fabric backing was added.

"The mourning floral ribbon quilt served two purposes, to keep the family members warm at home and also a rememberance of the deceased.

"There are very few floral ribbons mourning quilts in existance today, because of the deterioration of the ribbon fabric over the years."[/QUOTE]

My grandmother made a quilt from the ribbons from grand dads flowers. He passed away in 1956. I still have the quilt.

I have heard of these but not what they were made of Thanks for sharing

My grandmother made pillow tops from grandpas flower ribbons way back in 1962 . Don't know what ever happened to them. Would love to have one now.

Can you post a picture?

Your experience to date with Junior sounds like the makings for a wonderful romance novel (or actually an autobiography in the works). The unique dates and evolving relationship would be an intriguing story to enjoy. Best wishes for you!

That was interesting. Flowers are pretty but they only last a few days. This makes a nice keepsake.

Interesting ..I have heard of casket blankets that were given to the surviving family .. usually of black wool ..

Junior sounds like a nice person. I would love to see a funeral museum. There are so many customs and the customs of earlier times are most interesting. The ribbons were of wonderful materials in many decades past. I too remember a dalia pillow - I wonder. Today I make memory quilts and pillows from the clothing of the deceased. I loved the story of the little girl who made a pillow for her grandmother.

OK,
I am not the only one. I have made 7 quilts out of clothing from Seniors that were used to drape the coffin when they passed away.
It all started while I was working at a nursing home. One of the Seniors seemed very depressed and after talking to her we came up with the idea of us making a quilt for her to take with her. She had her daughter bring some of her cloths over and we make the quilt. After it was finished she would show it off to the other ladies. As of now that is a total of seven quilts finished and 2 working. I even have men working on their quilts. I think it gives them something to hold on to.

So do I! Junior makes me laugh, and I return the favor.

Thank you for that great piece of history. Something most of us would never know about.

The most fascinating quilt I ever saw was, I think, in an issue of Fons and Porter. They have a man who features an antique quilt or two in each issue. This one featured a cemetary with a picket fence and a black coffin for each member of the family. When someone died, their coffin was moved and re-sewn inside the fence to reside with the other departed family members.

I suppose it's morbid, but I just thought it was really cool!

Sounds like a nice beginning for both of you.
peace

Never heard of this, sounds interesting but guessing that many people now-a-days don't sew, except for those of us here ...?

I sewed one reversible --pink more feminine one side / blue manly stripe on the other as easier for them to keep in hurst. Did not need batting then either.
Owner told me to make long enough to cover the whole gurney but not as wide as a quilt so not to get caught in
the movement of the legs folding --like an ambulance gurney. Suggest you call and ask for size as I only have a pic.

Yes, mourning quilts have become popular. I made one for a Long Term Care facility near to me. They have used it so much in 8 years that there is a request for me to make another. First one done in colors of Swedish flag in Log Cabin pattern. The next one will be the same fabrics but in Courthouse Steps. These designs leave plenty of white space to inscribe names of the residents who have passed from the LTC. The quilt is hung back up in their chapel. It is definitely an honor to be doing this service.

Today we buried my step-son. His 14 year old son requested a blanket that he had given his dad for Christmas be placed across his legs "to keep him warm". This was one of those picture blankets you buy from a photo shop, they use a picture you provide and it is worked into a lap blanket. It had the sons picture on it and had "I love daddy" printed around the borders. It was so heart breaking to see. Our grandson surprised us being there, since he was too emotional on Sunday, he said he did not want to be there to see his dad that way. He did not attend the funeral today, because he did not want to let his dad down and ruin his perfect attendance.
We had everyone here after the funeral for lunch. We had it in the "man cave" which is decorated like an English pub/ drag racing museum. There is a t-shirt quilt hanging on the wall, I made for him several years ago from some of his past racing years t-shirts. I heard him say to someone that he would like that over his casket, but not buried with him. We are both being cremated, so just used over the temporary casket. I did not think he would have ever thought that.
Our day was sad, but we have family and wonderful friends to see us through this. Everyone left about an hour ago. My husband fell asleep on the chair with the puppy on his lap. The first he has slept in several days.
sorry, I did not mean to take this great thread to a sad place. I just wanted to share a little about three men in my life who cherish quilts and blankets and each other.

Ironically, today is the anniversary of my father's passing in 1972. I was 17 years old at the time and I have this same type of quilt and 2 pillow cases made from the ribbons of all the floral arrangements from his funeral and those that were sent to our home. The quilter used foundation of muslin,no filler/batting.The backing is muslin and the binding is from the ribbons also.The pillow cases are as described by another poster in this thread.While we did not display ours, I remember seeing others in town display theirs on pianos, dining buffets, or in the formal parlors/living rooms. I have my daddy's memorial quilt packed safely and in my cedar chest. It is still with the colors, with only the muslin aging into a nice deep tea color. I have made quilts for strangers after hearing about them battling cancer to only learn later that they used them draped over their caskets at their funeral.The last one was a coworker of my husband's .When he returned to his home in England to finish out his last days with his mom and dad, his mother used it at his service there in the same manner. I was stunned when I learned of all these people using their quilts, not because I hadn't heard of it before, but because my quilts were full of flaws and mistakes. It is so humbling to know they loved them this way. As a side note...Bneighbor, I offer my sincere condolences .

Definitely an interesting quilt and story.

Thank you. I am sorry for your loss. My husband lost his oldest son 24 years ago in a car accident. My husbands brother died in a freak racing accident 3 months ago, and today we buried his remaining son, who was brutally murdered. It was 9 degrees today and I packed 10 quilts into the back of my car. They were distributed to the guests, and as they gathered around for the graveside service, I looked around at my not-so-perfect quilts keeping warm those who love my family. The funeral director commented, later, that this was a beautiful gathering of color on a such a cold and snowy day.

Now I have tears, my heart truly goes out to you, your husband and the family.My goodness, it has been such a tough time for you all The beauty of the colors from your quilts is not what I envisioned in my mind's eye as I read your post, but that of the beauty of love in those quilts,and that which is wrapped in the hearts of all that they covered. My thoughts/prayers for you.

Jitterbug, what a nice post...thank you. Quilts bring comfort in so many ways.

When my daddy died 5 years ago, we didn't use a funeral home (instead doing it all ourselves at home), but used a casket that he had already purchased from a woodworker. I had made him a simple quilt years ago and he always had it on his bed, so it seemed like the thing to do to put in in the line the coffin. I had also just finished another quilt with a pretty sunflower garden theme (no picture of either quilt) and had shown it to him the week before. I couldn't bear to think of him being cold and so we used the second quilt to cover him up all nice and warm. so the quilts went with him. Makes me happy to think of that!

Ok why did I never have cool dates like that. The funeral museum sounds fascinating ... what interesting things people did to remember their family members.

Thanks for sharing.....I learn from this board daily!

Very interesting thank you for sharing.

There is one in Springfield, IL. On the same cemetery grounds where Abe Lincoln is interred. It is an interesting museum.

Sandy

Death is part of life. I don't see it as "morbid". Untimely at times, yes.
sandy

I had not heard of these quilts before. My mother used to make ribbon roses from these ribbons and give to the family members. Bigger bouquets (sp) for the adults and small ones of 3 or 4 for the grandkids. I have mine from my grandparents ribbons and from my Dads. But I like the quilt idea.

What a wonderful sharing thread!

I made my in-laws a 'family quilt' - El Burns' Four Sisters pattern using the favorite colors of each of their 4 children, and set with my in laws' 2 favorite colors. The label was a block with hearts of each fabric appliqued and each family member's name embroidered next to their heart.

My MIL was nearly blind but she would run her fingers over those hearts and the letters of the names for hours. She could see the colors of the quilt.

I was a very novice quilter at the time, and there was certainly an angel helping me with their quilt. I was surprised and honored when my FIL asked to drape her coffin with their quilt at her funeral. My MIL's coffin had a little drawer where we could tuck mementos for her - she has a duplicate quilt label from me.

My FIL wants us to drape his when the time comes. Thank you helping me recall these memories.

Prissnboots - love the sound of your guy! On my second date, we spent it in a copy shop so I could run stuff off for school. He said it was ridiculous I had to spend my own money for copies to use with my kids and he took a bunch of my forms and homework sheets with him to his job, talked to his boss about the problem, and got permission to run off as much as I needed throughout the school year. Talk about a keeper!

I live in Houston and have for years said I wanted to go to the funeral museum - I think your post is the push I need to do it.

Hope all continues well with your guy!

Sounds like an interesting beginning to a relationship, I'm serious. The museum sounds interesting also. Worst that could happen, you enjoyed a new experience. Best that could happen, the two of you could be a good match. Enjoy, and thanks for sharing a new look at quilting with us.

how interesting!