What do you do with "cutter quilts"?
 

There's an estate sale near me that has a large number of really old, worn quilts. The seller calls them "cutter quilts". They are too worn to use as quilts (or to survive a wash). What do people do with them?

bkay

My friend with country decor used them as tablecloths, no matter what condition. I always feel like she should put plastic at my spot when I eat there. I framed pieces of one of mine for my children, but it has sentimental value as my grandmother made it. I've seen vests and jackets made with them, but, again, too country for me.
They would have to be washed before I'd touch them.

Thanks for posting this question. I never heard anything described as a cutter quilt, but it makes sense. Here's a link to a fun blog post about things to make with cutter quilts. http://www.joscountryjunction.com/ask-jo-cutter-quilts/

Years ago I made stuffed animals and pillows with cutter quilts. The kids loved them.

You can make small items from good portions of the quilt. As an example, look at eBay under Cutter Quilt Ornaments. They are selling 4 Christmas tree ornaments for $10. Might be a money maker or quick small gifts.

we made angel ornaments for the tree

You could do something like this - - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...42a4019e2f.jpg

I love things made out of cutter quilts. I have seen small angels for ornaments made and I have a stuffed bear that was made for me out of cutter quilts. I also have a fairly large Santa Clause made out of cutter quilts. Even if you can't wash them maybe you could just hang the quilts outside and air them out. You are lucky to make this find.

Years ago, I saw a technique where you add a very thin netting over the entire quilt and re-quilt it. I have never tried it, but the lady who was showing the process said it made the quilts washable, but still fragile.

You can also make cute angel Christmas tree ornaments with them. You can also make Christmas stockings.

If they wouldn't survive a wash, I wouldn't buy them, because the only thing I'd be interested in is saving whole blocks that were still in good shape.

I rescued one from the trash bin at a thrift shop. I considered replacing the really frayed parts, but it was beyond my skill set, so I cut out the good parts, sewed the parts together, rebound it and donated it. I hope it found a happy home. I kind of figured anything was better that the trash bin.

stuffed animals, Christmas tree ornaments (or Valentine's if using a heart shape), small bags for jewelry, placemates (if enough exists).

I have made Christmas stocking out of those quilts by placing very fine tulle over the quilt and stitching in the ditch. The tulle was not really visible in the finished project, and they were big hits.

I’ve seen them used as framed art and used to make stuffed bears. My sister gave me one made into a postcard (not put thru the mail by itself) 20+ years ago that still is displayed in my quilting room.

Thinking of them as cutter quilts hurts my heart. Someone loved them and wore them out. But I have seen beautiful things made from them. If only we knew the story behind the quilt.

I made Santa tree toppers out of one of my grandmother's 1st quilts for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The quilt was beyond repair but I used every piece of it. It did not matter that the Santa's looked ragged and everyone got a special piece of grandma's quilt. Did not know that it was a cutter quilt and will not call it that even now.

Stockings, pin cushions, stuffed animals (bears, cats, ducks, rabbits, dogs, even a pig), Christmas ornaments, framed blocks, wall hangings. I learned my lesson washing and using a dryer -- "attack" -- after the shredding, raveling, I was lucky to have a dryer. Be very gentle if washing. I was young and dumb.

Thanks, guys. Unfortunately, just as soon as I posted this, something came up that took me out of town and I wasn't able to get to the sale. Bummer...........

bkay