I had an old settee refinished/reupholstered last summer and in the process, we found this old piece of quilted material used in the stuffing. I know the settee was built for my great grandfather around 1900-1910 so this quilt had to be old at that time. The man who did my settee felt the quilt was probably from the Civil War days. My question is "What do I do with it?" I am looking for suggestions. I had thought of using it as a mat an old picture frame and putting our family tree centered on it but the frames are too shallow and don't leave any air space between the quilt and glass, so decided not to do that. I think the only thing I could do is use a shadow box type of display with something in front of it. Although the quilt is in bad shape, it is amazing how bright some of the fabrics still are. What do you think?

What an interesting find!! I hope you find a really cool way to keep it!

WOW! I would go with picking out a good piece and putting it in a shadowbox along with the story. and a picture of the setee, before and after if possible

If you have a university close they would have a clothing and textile dept. that would be able to help date it. What a great find.

That is a wonderful idea.

Wow, that is a fabulous find.

I would create a shadow box with it as the backdrop for other antique sewing implements. That would be beautiful.

I didn't know that University's would do that (or could do that). I also have an antique wedding dress that has been in my family for years and while we figure it is about 120-140 years old, we really don't know. I would love to find out more about it and it's age.

frame it honey what a find

First, I would contact your local university to see if they could date it. Then, I would go from there. That small black and white patch may mean the quilt is of some historical importance. You never know.

I don't think you would want to expose it to too much light or it would fade a lot. If you do frame it, use a UV glass.

You are right - I will make sure to protect it from the light. I will probably put it on the wall in my spare bedroom where I have furniture, etc that belonged to my grandmother. It should fit in there nicely.

Looks like that little black and white patch matches the same fabric that is next to the navy piece.

It is similar, but not quite the same.

I would definitely have it framed. It would then be protected!

i like your idea of using it as a mat for your family tree...definitely a shadow box...and definitely uv glass...

will be a little expensive but well worth it...

what a wonderful find

What a treasure! I'd frame it or shadow box it and put the legend of where it came from on the back, along with old pictures of your great grandparents. I also love your idea of using it as a backdrop for your family tree.

I'll bet the original quilter was removing stitches she didn't like, or dropped her scissors on the quilt while working on it, and created a small hole in the fabric. She went to her neighbors who also were quilters, and showed them the small hole. She was very upset about it. One of the neighbors told her to applique a small patch over the hole, and it will look like she intended it as part of the design. And so, her hard work was saved.

Hi AnnMarie,

I would have the whole cloth piece framed. I would not cut up the piece at all. I would not use it as a mat either. You want to be able to see all of the different pieces of fabric.

There is uv protection glass and you can have a small shadow box frame and need to use acid-free paper and matting. Your local Hobby Lobby and frame stores can give you suggestions. I would check out several with their pricing. There are some that let you frame your own.

What a wonderful heirloom that's probably from past family members. The wedding dress is an heirloom as well. There are places would love to have such as item if you really don't want to keep it in the family. Do you know any of the history of the dress? Handle it with care and don't do anything to it until you talk with an expert. Keeping it intact without cleaning keeps the value and integrity of the dress.

Good luck with your treasures.

Pam M

I'm sure that one of the Universities in Michigan has an extensive quilt collection -- I remember seeing a magazine story about it once. If I can find something on the Web I'll send it to you.

Contact the Great Lakes Quilt Museum at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The collection is more than 100 years old, and they are the contact point for the Michigan Quilt project. They are sure to know where to find the experts in dating fabrics.

Good luck! Have fun!

I agree with some of the other comments ... have it framed to preserve ... then enjoy!

Me too agreeing with the others on this. What a beautifal piece.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Hi Pam,

Don't know anything about the dress except it was found in my great grandparent's attic along with other items from the Civil War time. I have had it at the end of my hallway on a manikin for years now and just love it!

WOW. That wedding dress is fabulous.

I have a 3D valentine complete with shells and lace that I had framed between two pieces of glass. It is about 2 inches thick and can be rotated to show both sides. The valentine is hanging on fishing line between the glass.
It was not cheap to frame but well worth it.

I suggest doing something comparable: mount it on some good acid free paper or cotton fabric (tack it yourself) and stretch the fabric over something rigid. Put glass a half inch or so away from the fabric. Attaching it will prevent it from sagging. Ask a good framer for some suggestions.

kathee and I had the same thoughts. Put it in a shadow box above the settee. History, History, History!!!!! Love it!

We have a frame shop and they can raise the glass /they use UV glass and if you have something in mind they can do it See if theres one near you Ours is called The Frame Up its a chain store

Definitely shadow box it to preserve it. What a find, imagine, hiding all that time in a piece of furniture, unbeknownst to anyone. Wonder what tales it could tell you.

Quite a find, IMHO. Maybe the black and white square was to patch a hole many, many years ago. I like the shadow box idea. Do you have any hankies or doilies from your ancestors? Or and old pair of reading glasses or maybe even needle packs or wooden spools? Any of those things would make a lovely display.

I have a piece of a quilt my Grandmother made when she was 18, I am 59 so it is very old.I have it in a frame with a heart shaped mat.

did it maybe patch a hole?

That is a fabulous idea for the family tree. And if you have small pieces left, frame them seperately

This is a great idea! To find something like this is a real treasure, it may be that the university or a quilt museum would be eager to preserve it, if you are willing to part with it.

I would personally like to know what you discover about the age of it, if you would please post the info when you find out.

lovely pieces

To me it looks as though the black and white patch is exactly that====a patch to cover a tear.

I would simply straighten the edges by trimming, and frame behind glass. It will easily stand as 'center of attention' on any wall. A wonderful find.

What a treasure! Love it as much as the maker... what stories it could tell.

This is what I was thinking, but wouldn't have been so creative about it. I love that story!

I would frame it or put it in a window box and use the glass that filters sun rays (can’t remember what it’s called.) It’s beautiful. Please let us know what you find out about it’s history.