I think I'd prefer hand quilting, and that seems more authentic because, even though plenty of people were doing machine quilting in the mid-1940's, this was pieced by hand, so probably would have been finished that way, too.

I always wonder if part of the problem with finishing it might have been that they would then have to decide whose quilt it was and maybe do a second one for the other friend. Or maybe it would have been too much of a reminder of that sad time.

I definitely do not have the skills to hand quilt it myself. I may check to see if there is anyone in my quilt guild who would offer to do it for a price. Then I'd have to see what my DH might think of that.

Thanks for all the input!

It may seem daunting, but i agree with hand quilting. Think about the age and look of the fabric and how the pieces fit together. There is something very vintage about it. Machine quilting could very well take away from that. You just may lose some of the age with the 'modern' quilting technique. You could just stitch straight lines that go left to right and top to bottom. Basically corner to corner on the squares. I suggest this because I have one similar to it from my great aunt. Hers didn't have the small squares though. After looking at it, I just can't bring myself to machine quilt it. Hers was hand pieced also.

I have one that looks almost like that . My aunts pieced it by hand,1" squares. I use it for a bed spread because I never knew how to quilt it.

I would hand quilt it, or find someone who has done vintage/antique pieces before. I know Eddie has done some amazing things with very old tops. It is somehow sad (to me anyway) that some tops never get "finished", as I believe the intention of the maker was to make a quilt. Don't forget to put the story on the label, otherwise it will be forgotten.

love it :thumbup: :thumbup:

GREAT quilt and wonderful story ;-). Can you get the ladies' names for the label?

Hand quilting would be appropriate for that era but if you cannot do that there are LA patterns such as "Baptist Fan" that would be appropriate to that era. The next question would be - have you or will you wash it when quilted?

I bet the lady who gave it to the shop was pleased that someone who appreciates the piecing involved ended up with it!

I'd say quilt it as you wish, then use it as you see fit. :)

I would have it hand quilted to keep it looking authentic.