On Saturday I was quilting with my mother at a "pioneer settlement" as one of their demonstrations of the way we used to do things. (But we still do it that way!) A local dentist and his wife came along and asked us to finish three of her late mother's quilt tops they had brought with them. They are old! One was foundation pieced on newspaper and some of the newspaper is still attached. We found 1923 and 1925 dates on several of the pieces. I asked her if she really wanted the paper removed and have it quilted, but she insists she does. I'm open to any advice on finishing these quilts. She wants borders added to the other two to make them bed sized. I hand quilt, so that will be in keeping with the time period. Do you think the other two are '30 prints?

Hmmm I don't know, the dentist might want to consult a quilt historian, these quilts might be more valuable if left in their current state. That is - if that's important to him. He may just want to have them quilted so they can use/display them as family treasures. (If it were me, I'd have them appraised!)

I'd be reading those newspaper bits for hours! lol

I tried to talk the lady into checking with professionals to see what was the best way to preserve especially the oldest one, but she has her heart set on having them finished so she can put them on a bed or a quilt rack. I don't think the money value as an antique is as important to her as having something that belonged to her mother finished so she can enjoy it as a quilt.

I agree..I would bet a quilt museum would love to have these. A shame to tear all the paper out. They should talk to a expert first.

if the newspaper is removed, maybe you can save some of the pieces with the date and put them in sealed plastic. then put an envelope on the back for them. that would show some of the history.

I still use newspaper as a foundation to make my scrappy quilts! I just tear it out and throw it away, but on this old quilt I'd definitely keep the pieces of newspaper and put them in a bag for safekeeping. What an undertaking and also an Honor to be able to do this for them. Also contact our own board member Eddie as he's finished some antique quilts before.

I totally agree on getting these appraised first. May be best to leave as it!

You have advised them and they have their hearts set on getting them done, So do them and they will be happy.
I'd just write up a disclaimer, saying advised them to have them appraised, but they just wanted you to quilt them, have them sign it and notarize it.

Actually, and sadly, I disagree. Yes, the quilts would have more "value" if left as is. But not as much as we present day quilters would wish. There are many, many quilts like this, and even more in much better condition and style, in museums. In this case, intrinsic value is more important to the current owner and should be honored.

Don't worry about saving the papers, they are likely on microfilm somewhere anyway, if the owner isn't interested. It will be difficult to remove them due to age, so the easiest way is to wet them -- with wet q-tips around the seams or with a very wet towel, blotting as you go and picking up any paper pulp that you can. If you're able to get whole pieces of paper you could just let them dry to the side and use them as others here have suggested.

If you lay the tops out on a surface covered with something white/natural you will also be able to tell at this time if something is going to bleed. [Be sure to wash your backing fabric before using it!!] It looks like you probably won't have much bleeding as most of these fabrics appear to be fabrics from clothing, etc.

I think it's precious she wants to remember the past by having these quilted and used. :-D It's kind of you to offer to help her do so.

Jan in VA

I am with Jan on this one. Just make a label with the name of the original quilter (and your name too) and it is all good. Quilts are meant to be used. These are lovely quilts but they are not priceless treasures like the jane stickel quilt or an original Baltimore album quilt.

i would leave the paper on that one and tell her to put that on the quilt rack!

Many of the prints do look a lot like 30's feedsack to me. The solids are very reminiscent of that era.

Also, I'm not sure how they did it back then but now days, Trip quilts are diagonal set squares--not on point diamonds. I would think they would have done it the same way back then otherwise you have bias issues to deal with.

As for your newspaper quandary; you would probably have to convince your customer to take it to an appraiser or do it yourself in order to convince them to change their mind.

I am amazed at how well kept these appear to be if they are truly as old as the newspaper & fabric designs appear to indicate. Whoever stored them did it very well and must have kept them in a very clean and almost climate controlled environment--just amazing if they really are from that time period!

I hope you are asking a pretty penny for all this work and the stress of working with old fabrics! Please don't do it for pennies though! LOL

You could scan or photograph (if your digital camera has a high enough megapixel rating) the pieces of newspaper on the back.

Then to remove the paper, I would get some laminating sheets from the office supply store, cut them to fit over specific areas of the back, press them onto the paper, burnish it down with a bone paper folding tool (called a bone folder) or something similar, then peel the film away, taking the paper with it.

Most of these laminating films are acid free and archival and will preserve the paper for a very long time.

I wouldn't worry about the old newspapers, they are not that rare. Interesting to read though!!
I think I would do simple cross hatching on both of them. The string quilt looks so much like an antique quilt I had - I think it is the checked fabric that is making me think that.

The quilts were stored in a trunk. The oldest one was on the bottom and has some staining, maybe from being against the wood of the trunk. I don't plan to save all the newspaper pieces, but want to preserve the ones with dates and a few other interesting ones. (One has some hilarious quotes from kids test answers, like..."Pompay was destroyed by an eruption of saliva from the Vatican." My sister and I laughed 'til we cried over that one!) She wants the quilts made where she can use them as her mother would have wanted. So I will do my best. I think they have the means to make it worth my while, though I know I could never charge what it would be really worth per hour. But I'm excited about helping her preserve her mother's loving stitches. Thanks for your opinions.

what a find!

I admit I didn't know string quilts were that old. Guess I will have to rethink my feelings about them. Hope you get help if you are hand quilting those.

I love your idea. Even if the quilts are finised as the lady wishes, she will have time peices of the history to look back at. For her the value may be in enjoying the quilts by using them for display or on a bed knowing she is viewing a peice of her mother daily.

Now personally being a history buff, I wouldn't want to have them finished until I spoke with someone who is an expert in the preservation of textiles who can tell me how much importance they hold.

Most of the time, what we may think has a real value, really does not. Enjoy reading teh paper articles , then remove.
I would remove the newspaper by spreading the quilt on a white sheet on the floor, spray with warm water a small area at a time and continue until all the paper is removed.
I would then soak the quilt top in the tub with a mild soap, rinse in cold water, hang to dry or dry on delicate. Iron the seams well.

The third quilt looks like all mens shirt fabrics. I do not see flour-
sack fabric.

The others appear to be fabric of that era. May or may not be floursack.

Choose fabrics for finishing that correspond with what is already in the quilt. This is not the time to get fancy and overdo it.

Likewise, keep the handquilting to the period. You will do fine. The couple put their trust in you to finish appropriately. BTW - did you do a contract? Just because he is a doctor does not mean everything will be hunky dorey. Take pictures for future reference.

I would buy one of those large gift boxes (Michaels?) that come out at Christmas that are kind of hard with a nice lid. I would then remove the paper pieces as carefully as possible and Modge Podge the whole box and lid with them. If you get a really big one, one of the quilts could go into it wrapped in acid free paper when it's done. Or you could do the box or a set of boxes for storage in your sewing room. I would keep the quilting simple on both the quilts because it will take a while to do them. Good Luck!

Thanks for those suggestions!

Adding my 2 cents FWIW ==
* ITA ... we all want those precious antiques to be worth a LOT, though often are not; being that you are connected to a pioneer settlement, it shouldn't be too hard for you to get an opinion as to whether there is any worth.

* quote with disclaimer/waiver ... good idea to CYA that an appraisal was recommended and they refused, also re the removal/disposal of the newspapers. That can be easily dealt with by presenting them with a quote of what's to be done, how you will do, and the agreed upon fees, inclusions/exclusions so there's no argument later, with the disclaimer as part of it

* wetting the newspapers may cause ink staining. The type of printing ink of that era came off on your hands. Some will remember reading the newspaper and getting ink all over their hands/arms or on their clothing. I have no idea as to whether with age it would have stabilized. Just beware ... you don't want to ruin it while in your trusting care.

I would get it appraised.

OK - Here is what I would do. The papers show time and place and provinence. I would just quickly divide quilt into sections and photocopy all the pieces on a grid.

That allows authentication- shows history and what was happening in and around the area the quilt was made.

Additionally, copied on buff paper after white photocopies
could be framed hung on the wall above quilts on rack or in the rooms.

That way you still preserve the 80-90 year history and the copies of the pieces used to make the quilts as well as the quilt itself, satisfying yourself and finding a creative way to lend interest about the quilt maker and for future generations.

This isn't about museum quality quilts rather family history

Martha, the quilts are wonderful. But...they belong to someone else. Honor their requests, not necessarily what you'd do if they belonged to you. Carefully remove the paper that has dates and interest and put them in a plastic bag. Great idea. Toss the rest.

My concern is it doesn't seem that the cost-to-quilt has been established. I think you need to estimate the costs, double it, and then get a written agreement on how to finish, the papers, the borders, the amount of quilting, stitches per inch, a label, etc. Whatever you feel important -- including what's NOT covered. Sign the agreement with the quilt owners and then sit down, have a cup of tea and enjoy the wonderful experience of finishing these quilts. They are beautiful

if you intend to quilt the quilt you must remove the paper.you would think the paper would would disolve but it will not years ago someone made a paper pieced quilt. they gave it to my mom because they didn't want it

Honestly I think you should just do as they wish. They belong in the family where they can use them and enjoy them, and share the history of them with their family and friends.

I wonder if you could just gently steam each piece and peal it off without soaking it? That way it could dry and be put in a ziplock bag? It will be time consuming but worth saving the "news".

As a collector, I have dealt with people who are just nor antique oriented and there's not much you can do about it.

A quilt, even a top, is only as old as the last work done on it, so when you 'finish' them, they will forevermore be dated as 2011 quilts, not 1920-whatever.

Chances are, it will last longer as a vertically displayed top than as a finished quilt being used, even as a flat lying display on an unused bed collecting dust and such. The owner may get to enjoy it, but odds are her great-grandchildren won't be so lucky.

Wow! antique. I am not sure I understand about the "foundation pieced on newspaper." Guess I need to do some research.

IF you really have to quilt them, PLEASE do it in a more traditional way and don't McTavish them to death...doubt the fabric will hold up too much manipulation as it is. But to honor their age, use something plain on the back and keep the quilting traditional/heirloom quality.
Of course you do realize they might not quilt easily...so don't be upset by puckers, pulls, waving edges, etc..

I wish you luck. Do keep us posted when they are done!

My opinion? Take the pp quilt to a business that prints blueprints for architects. I'll bet they could make a copy of the back - then you wouldn't feel badly about removing the paper. It might be costly, but I'm wondering if the dentist and his wife might one day regret removing the paper? Just my two cents worth. Good luck!

What an opportunity! I would contact someone from the Smithsonian on how to remove and preserve the paper.

The American Textile History Museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian. I used to live near Lowell, it is in an old textile mill right on the canal and it is a wonderful place with very knowledgeable people!

They could also give you great information on the handling of this Depression Era American treasure!

491 Dulton Street
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854-4221
(978)441-0400
http://www.athm.org/

Another possibility is The Textile Museum in Washington, DC:
http://www.textilemuseum.org/

You have an outstanding piece of history in your hands—even though it is not yours—and could be a wonderful experience.

the first two doesn't look old to me. too much bright color and never saw the pattern back then and I had a quilting Mommaw. I have a couple of her quilts from the 30's and the colors weren't that clear and bright. The old one looks like something she made out of our old clothes.

Remove the newspaper! If needed, we are advised to store our precious quilts wrapped in acid-free paper to protect the fabric; newsprint is not acid-free.

I agree with the others. I would be afraid I would ruin the value. I would have them appraised first, or should I say, ask the owners if they have had them appraised. Too many people do not realize what they have.

Would it be possible to make a collage of news print pieces that contain dates and places, photocopy them to fabric, and use as a background for a quilt label or as the label itself for the quilt? Just an idea.

I would do as she asks. They are, after all, her family heirlooms. I don't think you can save the newspaper...it's obviously going to be very fragile. The 1920s fabrics are probably real flour/seed sacks.