My mother, age 93 (in two weeks), is a quilter and was telling me about when she was a girl. Her mother would have her take off a piece of folded fabric from the top and bottom of a quilt. There would be two sets; one for Spring - one for Fall. When Spring came, Mom would take off the fabric and Grandma would wash it, hang it on the line, take it down and iron and save it for Fall. Then Mom would take the other set and sew them on the top and bottom of the quilt. The way she explained it to me was that it was like a quilt protector, from perspiration or drool or whatever (sorry if I sound gross). Then it would either be tucked under the pillows or turned under the top and bottom of the quilt. The quilt could also be turned over and there would be a clean side. Does anyone know of this - I think it is a good idea because I have noticed that the tops of my quilts wear out sooner than the rest of the quilt.

Hey, thanks so much for your help. Edie

Sounds like an early version of a duvet cover to me. I use them on down comforters, but not on quilts. I spend too much time and effort on making the quilt tops look just right...no way do I want to cover it up with a fabric bag! :lol:

So it only went over a portion of the top and bottom?

Kind of like when you turn the sheet back?

Sounds like a good idea, but I wouldn't want to hide portions of the quilt either. Mind you, things were different back then.

It isn't a duvet, the fabric is about 12" wide and sewn from one side of the top to the other/top and bottom. The fabric itself must be maybe 26" wide altogether and then when it is washed and ironed it is 13" and the one inch is used for hemming just below the binding. I am sorry if I didn't explain myself very well, but then no one can explain me very well anyhow!. Does this help at all? Thanks! Edie

Exactly. My husband and I use down blankets so we don't have top sheets. I just wash the duvets every week, but sometimes a quilt is nice over the down blanket too. Edie

None of the quilt is hidden. It is an extension of the quilt on the top and bottom. You can fold it over when you use the quilt and then fold it under the quilt or under the pillow when the bed is made. I think I opened a can of worms here. Edie

Oh, I get it now, Edie......thats a good idea if you use the quilts at night....I take mine all off or in the winter fold half of it down, so we really aren't using it around our face......

I did notice that my MIL pins the sheet to the top of her quilt, the same effect I would think.

Thank you, so much, Sewmuch, for getting it. Now what is the name of the fabric that is put on there. Outside of a drool rag, I can't think of anything else. I suppose every family has to have some godforsaken name for something they don't know what it is, eh? Edie

That's a good idea too, but we don't have any top sheets! We use the duvets on our down blankets for top sheets. I think I may have solved 1/4 of the problem. I called the Mother and she said "When I think of it, I'll call you." Great! She's almost 93 - it may take a while! She is a feisty little broad and I love her dearly! She taught me everything about quilting. It was my fault that I waited so long to get interested in it. I turned 71 two weeks ago and missed out on so much. Thanks for all your help. Edie