So excited, but what next?
 

I've posted before that my mother is a talented seamstress, but not a quilter. It was only after I started quilting that she mentioned, quite casually one day, a quilt they had at home when she was growing up in the 1930s. She didn't know anything about it but felt pretty sure it was made either by her own mother as a 'bottom drawer' piece, or by her maternal grandmother as a wedding gift. We spoke about it at the time, but it seemed there was not much to say about it once we worked out it was a traditional log cabin with red centers, double sized, and in daily use. My mother hasn't seen it for more than sixty years- the old family home is long gone, so there seemed to be no point wondering what happened to it. My grandmother died very young and so many of her stories died with her.

So, this morning, my mother and I are having a chat about everything and nothing, and I tell her what I am working on, and how my middle daughter has me making a madly scrappy and rule breaking log cabin for her bed. And..... You know what's coming, right? She says really casually that last time she was talking with her sister they were talking about the old quilt and her older sister confirmed that their mother made it, and said... Drumroll.... SHE HAS IT!!!! So, apart from wanting to jump in my car right now and drive over to my aunt's, my head is buzzing. I never saw it in her house because it is apparently falling apart, but she kept it. Happy dance!

So, when I get to visit it, what is it important for me to ask? Obviously I'll be asking what stories she was told about it, if she recalls any of the fabrics being in clothing, or any stories of where the fabric came from. I'll be looking really closely at the construction, taking photos of everything- front, back, innards, quilting pattern used..... What else? How does one behave when one meets an old family quilt for the first time?!!!! I am so excited!!!

You guys are the only people I know who understand this stuff, so I had to share. :-)

I think I would put the histrory down on paper to keep with this quilt. We never know where these quilts will end up. I've bought many used quilts at garage sales and estate sales that have many stories .... all untold ..... so sad.

make a label for it. even if you end up with it. History is everything.

Labels are important. My mother and Aunts put them on all theirs. I need to sew a label on the quilt my grandmother made for my high school graduation. There are only a few of her grandchildren that has one she made. I need to do that!

Thanks for sharing your story!

Share a picture if you can!

HOW EXCITING!!! I can so feel your excitement and am so happy for you. I would definitely get as much history as possible written up and at least put with it. I think I would be afraid to put a label on it myself, but love the idea of the history staying with the quilt.

I think you have a good idea of questions to ask. My question is, would she be willing to part with it so it doesn't end up in a yard sale or with someone who doesn't appreciate it? Or maybe she would pass it down to you when her time comes?

Thanks everyone for sharing my excitement. It will be a few weeks at least before I get to hook up with my aunt- various things happening, but I have waited this long I can wait a little longer! Luv Quilts and Cats: I have no idea the answer to that question. My aunt has a daughter of her own and if she wants it, I guess she gets it. It would be very awkward to ask! (But if she asks me if I would like it, there is only one answer!)

Take a look at it's condition and see if there is anything that can be done to preserve it from further deterioration. And see how it is being stored...maybe take some acid-free paper with you and gently fold or roll it another direction when you have to put it away.

Its obvious you have a real love and appreciation for quilts, so I hope you end up with it. So many people, think well its old so I'll hang on to it, and stuff it in a closet or basement or the attic where it will deteriorate even further. Quilts, especially the old ones need lots of TLC. Please let us know what happens to the quilt, and would love to see pictures!

I know that it would be awkward to ask about this quilt's future but I do feel it is important question and one that hopefully your aunt will appreciate. Just simply ask her if you may make a label or a written history to go with the quilt. And while discussing this, mention that you would hate to see it leave the family. See her reaction and maybe go from there. Simply tell her that you would like to add a note to go with the quilt so that when she passes, her children remember to contact you if they don't want the quilt. I am only beginning to enjoy and appreciate quilting but I have always appreciated family heirlooms and am honored when one of my children, cousins, or my nephew as that I insure something is kept in the family. It tells me that they also appreciate their heritage. Hopefully, your aunt and her daughter will feel the same way.

Tell her you would "cherish" this quilt if it were to ever come into your possession one day. She'll be able to see it on your face anyway, I'm sure. I wish you a blessed day when you meet this treasure. :)

Jan in VA

I finished a quilt that my MIL started. It was one of 8 quilts she made for each of her 8 kids. I typed the story and printed it on Printed Treasures and then sewed it to the back of the quilt. I felt that if I just wrote down the story that eventually they story and the quilt would be seperated. By sewing the story to the back, it will always be together.

If you can, why not take an old tape recorder or if you have the new phones or camera that take movies, (if you can get them off the phone somehow, I can't) take the movie so you have your aunt and the quilt together. Then you can type up the info. Good luck.

Ditto to MaryMo's comment. Everything "anyone" know about the quilt should be labeled. I would display it proudly with every wear and tear spot, centrally located. it's about character and history and that is the beauty of it. I totally understand your excitement! Best regards on seeing the quilt.

I hope you came home with it today.....

It is an exiting story, and the story itself is an heirloom. Good luck on your journey. If we don't have memories we have nothing.

Happy for you to be able to see the quilt and get some stories.

Even if you do not end up with the quilt, maybe if you take pictures you could make a reproduction of the original quilt to pass thru your family with a story about the original. You could also include your story of discussing with your mother

I love the story. I will be praying that it ends up with the owner that will really appreciate it. Six years ago, my hubby called from Florida when they were cleaning out my MIL's garage and told me they found an old quilt in the cedar chest. He wanted to know if I wanted it. He said it was made by his Great Grandmother Higby in 1912. My first statement to him was, "It's not in the car yet?" He told me, "No, Natalie (our 4 year old granddaughter) is playing on it on the concrete driveway". I gasped and asked him to take a blanket out for Natalie to play on and rescue that treasure. I am now the owner of this treasure.
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It is made from what looks like old shirt fabric. Although it resembles the trip around the world, it is made with rectangles and not squares and I love the border.
I really hope they see your excitement over the family treasure and give it to you. If you end up with the quilt, please promise you will share a picture of it.

bring tears to my eyes just thinking about your special story!!!!!

Yeah, we all understand. Hope you get it and can preserve it somehow. I've seen some that were so tattered that there was only enough to frame and add a providence...(sp?) in the corner.

Pics please.

Label it with what you learn.

Such a nice story...good luck with it...looking forward to seeing the pictures.

I have a story about an old family quilt..not quite so nice. A woman my MIL grew up with ran into her at McDonalds one day after many many years. They change contact information then soon afterwards the woman comes to MIL's house and says, I bought a quilt off of your mother years and years ago (MIL's mother was dirt poor and most likely sold it to feed her family) So she GAVE my MIL the quilt...it was then shelved. While visiting my in laws my FIL (an angry drunk) caused a scene about something unimportant to this story and ended up offending my husband and I quite badly. In apology we were gifted this quilt....a beautiful quilt made with 1920's and 1930's fabrics. Excellent condition..no rips...no wear spots...no stains........it has since that day has been named....The Guilt Quilt....but whatever the case....sure am glad we were the ones to get it!!

I would definitely ask your Aunt if she would leave the quilt to you when she decides to let go of it, since you quilt and would enjoy having something that is from your heritage. Who knows you might just get lucky and have it given to you then and there. It never hurts to ask in a polite way, for something of your ancestors, and heritage.

If you think it would be appropriate, just let your aunt know that if she ever decides to get rid of it, and if none of her children want it, that you would love to have it someday because you would like to see it remain in the family. Your excitement at seeing it, documenting the history, etc. will convince her of your love for it and let's her know you really appreciate what this quilt means. If you are close with your cousins, you could let them know that if none of them want it, you would treasure it. I think saying it this way let's her know that you recognize your cousins would be first in line for inheriting the quilt, but if none of them would appreciate it and your aunt loves it as you do, she will then know who will really cherish it.

So glad it's still in the family and you will get a chance to see it!

I have a similar story....as a child I slept under a Sunbonnet Sue quilt made by my grandmother. It wore out, I assume, and my mother discarded it (she didn't quilt or even sew and was not a hoarder; she threw away -- threw away! -- the wooden ironing board that she'd had as long as I could remember, that I learned to iron on, and that she once told me my grandfather had cut down (the tapered end) to make it easier to iron my baby dresses on. She had a modern board and cleaning out one day, decided she no longer needed the old wooden one. I nearly expired when she told me she'd thrown it out! It's been years but I still wish I had that ironing board.

I also still remember the colors in the Sunbonnet Sue quilt from when I was a child and would give anything to see it again but it's long long gone.

So glad your story has a happy ending! I don't know the kinds of questions you should ask except the ones you've already thought of.....but be sure and take a good look at the handquilting. I'm so impressed with the skill of women who did that years ago.

What a wonderful story. These quilts, when they are treated with respect, are such a beautiful tribute to the quilter.

When growing up my sister and I played with a doll quilt together, she now has that quilt framed and beautifully hanging in her house. (sob, only one of us could have it!) I also hear that my grandmother was not a quilter (not enough time...8 kids and on a farm!) but she did make one tied quilt. No one knows what happened to it, but it sounds like it was a Dresden Plate pattern. The kids used to pretend they were birds and the plates were their nests! Nice memory, but would love to at least have a pic of the quilt. So, treasure your visit with that quilt and get as many memories as you can. They are such a treasure! I am so glad you found it!!

I would be sitting holding / touching that quilt all the while I am talking to her. Oh, but that might be hard to write down the story at same time --so tape the story to rewrite later as you will remember it anyway. Hopefully she will give it to you since here family hasn't paid much attention to it so far --sounds like !!!!

I agree with mornigstar, if your aunt is a talker and wouldn't mind, maybe you could record her words and leave her memories of the quilt with it on a CD, flash stick or SD card, as well as typed out because who knows if any of that sort of media will be usable 50 years from now. Whatever your mother remembers about it should also be included.

Steady Stichin, I love your story, and hope you write it down for posterity! Copy/paste and print what you wrote here - done!

No matter who gets it, if it is in bad repair, ask if you can help to preserve it. When they are tattered, they only seem to get worse unless a few stitches are added

I have a quilt that was made by friends of my husband's grandmother, when they left Alabama in the earlier 30's. No one else wanted it because it had a few stains on it. I loved it, because next to the stains were names and dates and small remarks about their friendships. Next to the one my great-great aunt made and was given to me as a wedding present 52 years ago by my grandmother, it is my greatest treasure.

What an amazing story. I'm so happy that the quilt is still in your family's possession. The quilts my Mother made were utilitarian and sadly did not survive as they were constantly used and used up. Instead of batting she would use an old worn out blanket, sometimes an Army blanket brought back by one of my older brothers when they returned from Korea. Most of my quilts are made to be used, although most of them are still intact, as they were not heirloom quilts. That's probably why I started making quilts for our bi-annual family reunions, my brothers and sister sent fabric, I made a quilt to be raffled off at the family reunion. I'm pretty sure that was over 20 years ago, you know as you get older the mind starts to go, in the wrong direction, unfortunately. Fittingly, the very first quilt went to my oldest brother and when he passed away a few years ago, his kids - 6 girls and one boy - drew numbers and his youngest daughter now has the quilt. The quilts have become a reunion favorite, although neither myself nor my 2 children have won, but part of me will live on and I know the majority of those quilts are treasured by my family. I like to think I started another family tradition, although I sure would like to win one back one of these years.

Very exciting is right! I offer a suggestion here, FWIW. Before you visit your Aunt, try to find good information about care and storage of old quilts. You might print this from a web site, or find a booklet to give her. That
way,even if you never get custody of the quilt, you will contribute to the preservation of a family treasure.

How wonderful that the quilt is found! I'll offer no advice. I just wanted to say how happy I am that this treasure has been found. I know that we each value different things, depending on the memories we have, and you are right that people on this board understand.:)

You are so right...this is where we would understand how happy and excited you are!! What good news! and what a good reminder for all of us to label a quilt.

So happy for you,got my fingers crossed,and good luck. MIMI

When I received my great grandparents wedding quilt, turn of the century, red and white signature quilt!, I just petted it and thought about all the life it had seen. it was a little overwhelming.