twinkie

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.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]422924[/ATTACH]
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.

peppermint31

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

Battle Axe

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.

gabeway

Label it with what you learn.

Steady Stiching

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!!

Gerbie

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.

novicequiltergrandma

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.

Friday1961

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.

Emma S

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

mjmachin

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!!