quiltmouse

It's very pretty. I like the fabric colors. Looks good enough to mend to me. As you say, it would be a fairly easy fix, since it is tied. :)

hazeljane

I'm thinking 60's. Most of the squares look 50's and 40's but a quilt is only as old as it's NEWEST square. I love it.

deemail

barb44 has a good handle on the fabric...but i believe what you have here is a combo... it looks to me like someone had a stack of 4-patch blocks from the 40/50s and set them together late in the 60/70s...the turquoise fabrics that have not faded speak of a little poly in them and have not rotted as have some of the older fabrics in the body of the quilt. the red/turquoise combo might well have been done in the 60s, as well...but the clincher is the poly batting... while it was invented in the 50s, it was not commonly used for some time...this really looks like a stack of blocks were found under grannie's bed and someone put them together and tied it.

is it worth saving? that is for you to say...but i will say that i repair many older quilt as has already been suggested...take off (and i mean 'pick off'....do not cut) the last row on the most damaged side or end...use those undamaged fabrics in those pieces to repair any other pcs in the remaining body...save all remaining pcs for future problems. you will probably find that most of the rotted blocks contained brown as they are the most caustic of the natural dyes used then and often disappear first...which means that a few more blocks may well go later.

then the decision is to replace the back or not...i tell people to decide what they are trying to accomplish and then do what's best and not feel guilty. any quilt's value is judged by the newest fabric in it, not the oldest or even the majority...so this quilt may or may not have a huge monetary value, but it's value in terms of the collection of the typical 40s fabrics may be great to you.... you have to be the one to decide...

so to replace back or not? is it more valuable to you with that original (60s) back...or would you rather have a new back to help strengthen the whole piece for generations to come? it's up to you, and you will get lots of advice about both points of view.... i tell people that just have an emotional attachment to a family piece, to put on the new back so that their antecedents will get to enjoy the quilt for another hundred years (just write down what they have done and why).... (remember, your quilt, if judged to be assembled in the 60s [you can test a tiny scrap of the turquoise to check for poly, which clinches the deal, datewise] is still more than 40 yrs old now...time goes fast....) the key is to document, document, document.....give all info you can find... fabric info from the blocks, test results on the sashings and back, purchase info from the friends, your advice from other quilters and why, your eventual choices regarding repairs, replacements, anything you learn and lots of pix..... and then find a way to keep a copy (back pocket, attached to frame, copy on disk, .... whatever works for you) WITH the quilt... then repair, put hanging rod pocket on the back of the quilt, and enjoy...do not repair a quilt this old and then toss it on a bed...it will not last as long and it's a lot of work so hang it up and enjoy, just get that documentation going....it's important for the next person who falls in love with it.

my standard thing is, 'what do you wish someone had written down about the quilt when they were making it...what would YOU love to know about the quilt if they had written it down?' that's what you need to write down...

bj riley

[quote=Maggiemay]I just rescued a quilt for a friend of mine that was tied. I was afraid if I took out all of the ties it would leave holes.

Oh my, I did not think about the holes it would leave! I pulled some last night while at a friends house. Not much light. Did not realize I was making holes. So I guess I will have to do like you and leave the torn back on.
Where would I look for retro fabric?

Thank you all for your help. I knew I could count on you. I have a part quilt I want to talk to you about too.

I hope you don't mind.

LisaGibbs

I would try and fix it, and if not, trim the fabric that is good and make a new one with smaller squares and new borders and fabric close enough to pass for the damaged ones. It is tied so it won't be that difficult to take apart. Worse case is you could make a couple smaller quilts.

emmah

Do what you thought. The new backing fabric will strengthen and support the older top. You can cut a small piece of the old backing and stitch it on the new backing with a label to say that is what the original backing looked like.
I am all in favor of "renewing" old quilts so they are solid and usable. All too often if you don't, someone will come along and say "what is this old ragged thing?" and toss it or use it for changing tires. Too sad. (I rescued one being used as a tire changing pad.)

mom-6

As a home ec project in the 60s I did something similar. I finished and assembled the state flower quilt my mom and her sister had started in the 30s for their hope chests. I used a green poly/cotton blend for the sashing and binding.

Not thinking about the age of the 30s fabric, we used this quilt regularly until the muslin of the flower blocks started to give way.

It did survive regular use and trips through the washer and dryer up into the 80s. Sadly it was in our house when it burned in 2000.

Raggiemom

I would try fixing it. Would love to see it when you're all done.

Judie

Yes, I would try to save it. You don't have to do it all today.. so just take your time, find some nice old fabric that goes with it and repair it one block or area at a time.. There is something very special about old quilts.. I think they appreciate being helped and are extra cuddly because someone cared.. Save it... you'll love it.

1000projects

The blue /'aqua in that quiltmis so pretty!