I definitly would frame them. Go to a frame shop (Hobby Lobby) let them help you with picking an acid free paper and then frame them with non glare glass. You want to preserve them not use them. Do them all in one frame or individually, depending on where you have space to hang it/them.

I would arrange them in a circular pattern on a pale blue background. Red edges would be too much.

I would machine applique them to a piece of flannel or plush and cover my knees with the piece during our cold winters in Wisconsin. What love went into them and now it is your turn to share the love.

Carol J.

I love your hearts! I recently bought a framed heart picture (would that be the right word?). Inside the frame, hearts were cut from vintage quilts and mounted on blue and white ticking. It was then framed in a vintage frame. Your hearts would be perfect for that - you can arrange them the way you want (either vertical or horizontal) and put them wherever you like! Good luck.

The blue ticking would be wonderful wouldn't it. I think that is what I will use!! Thank you for the suggestion! Would you layer and quilt the blue ticking once I place the hearts on it?

They are definitely cut from older quilts and then someone with a "modern" zig-zag machine caught the edges probably to prevent fraying... I think there's a "Wedding Ring" quilt in there by the looks of some of the curved piecing. Not sure they are very old.

If you have more hearts, then perhaps remove the zig-zag and carefully hand-applique each of them on to a matching red solid background. The shape will still show up; but better yet, a nice neutral would work as well... and look more vintage.

I'd do a small wall quilt and have it framed. (maybe 24 x 36 inches or a little larger?) It would last longer and look even more nostalgic. Good Luck.

Thank you so much for your suggestion! I think I may consider removing the modern zig zag stitch now and appliqué them on primitive red design fabric leaving a 1/4 inch or so of the red fabric around the hearts. And then appliqué the hearts with the small red border around them onto blue and white ticking! Shoot by the time I find an old window I should have the actual hearts put together from everyone's suggestions on the Board! Thank you all so much...I think it is coming together!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

If you only have a small number of them, why not arrange them in a circular pattern for the centre of a medallion quilt?
Cindy Needham restores old linens into re - vamped quilts. Perhaps you could get some ideas from the way she treats vintage stuff?
http://www.cindyneedham.com/

oh that is so pretty

I can see them appliquéd onto a crazy quilt blocks and go from there by embellishing all of the seams in each heart with ribbons and lace and beads since they already seem to be crazy quilted together. Pretty stitches to hold them on or sew them onto a block and cover the edges with old lace or crocheted lace. That way they would not have to be laundered like a regularly used quilt since they look delecate with age already, and it would really show them off as a pretty wall hanging. They really are beautiful with age and appear so soft.