I've posted several threads of projects that I've finished for quilters who've either passed away or given me their discarded blocks etc. I received a bag of what looked to be hand cut triangles. Some are slightly age stained. I don't think these are new repro. fabrics. I'm pretty sure they're the real deal. I sewed together the triangles and am working on squaring the blocks. I LOVE the fabrics. I'm thinking 50's or 60's?? I've also include a photo of hand pieced blocks that were included. These are also the real deal, I think but would like others opinions.

Let me just be clear that I also starched and cut away a lot of frayed fabric to make the blocks look so nice. I think the fabric was worth saving, don't you??

Those are 30's. Very popular right now, you will be able to find anything you want to go with them.

Wow, 30's? I was thinking maybe 30's but didn't want to jinx it. It was very cool going through the bag. I've also got 6 star blocks squared up and sashed that are now complete. I don't know what to do with the unfinished star blocks in the photo. I'm thinking about the easiest way to get them into a quilt...

They look like feed sack fabric to me---30's and 40's. Wonderful, beautiful fabrics that wear like iron.

30's or reproduction 30's. They're beautiful.

:mrgreen: Yes I am very jealous :mrgreen: I was thinking 30's also so glad that others could confirm it :thumbup:

Kaye Wood has a pattern that makes the star blocks and she has the instructions on how to put the other parts into these type star blocks. OR if you like to do appliqué you could appliqué them on to a solid. Whatever you do they will look great! Beautiful find. And, yes they are fabulous 30's.

I was thinking 30's to before I saw everyone else's answers woo hoo I'm learning hehehe

I agree.. I'm pretty sure those are 30's and maybe 40's would have to feel them to be for sure... but I don't think they are repros.. some of them look very familiar to me.
Like some fabric in some of my grandmother and great grandmothers quilts.

WOW!!! You really scored big with those :D:D:D

I inherited 80 + Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks from my mother which she put together when she was 15 or 16. That would be 1929 or 1930 and several of your fabrics are very similar to the prints in her blocks. They are certainly of similar 'type'.

I don't do hand applique, but if I could piece together the rest of the block, I'd do it. The finished star blocks are done in white and somewhat match these.

Yes, these feel old and look old. I've never seen repros that look exactly like these either. Some of the aging stains may come out when it's washed or maybe not. I think it adds character to the fabric. I've got about 30 more blocks that I've made to square up and then I'll try to put them all together somehow.

Some may be original but not all. I see a few that I have, that are repro's that were bought in the late 90's. You have some BEAUTIFUL fabric there! Those 30's are my very favorites. Enjoy.

Thanks for the pictures. Beautiful! Yes, the fabrics looks very similar. Do you know if they were feedsack fabrics?

But don't the repros copy some fabrics? I think these are all the same age.

Wish they would reproduce that particuar shade of green Linda B. That is gorgeous.

I've never knowingly (is that a proper word?!) seen feedsack. They all felt like cotton although some were a little stiffer than others. Considering that a few of the hexagons were scraps of the same fabric pieced together to be big enough for the 2" hexagon, I would imagine they collected usable fabric from whatever source was available. Unfortunately, I wasn't interested in quilting until several years after my mother died so I was unable to ask her about the fabric.

Gramof6, that green is one of the reasons I decided to applique the blocks on an antique white background. I could not match the green. And this was my mother's first quilt work and many of the outside hexagons were misshapen making attaching new hexagons almost impossible. There was some very 'creative' ironing necessary to get them in shape to use.

I am thinking they could also be early 40's...
Just because some of the colors that are being brought in...
Kirsten

Linda, I was also given a couple of Grandmother's garden blocks in this bag. Did you machine applique the edges down? I'm assuming you carefully turned down about 1/4" on the outside first?

Here's a couple of photos of 6 star blocks that I was able to trim, square and then add sashing to make the same size, finished block. Otherwise, they would be a nightmare to put together. I'm hoping to find a way to finish off the other star blocks to incorporate them in the same quilt. Also a picture of the 2 grandma's flower garden blocks that are also older and hand pieced. I don't think they're as old as the 30's fabrics though. Maybe I'm wrong...

Candace, yes I machine appliqued the edges. As far as turning under, I did that where possible. These were the first blocks my mother ever made and were had stitched together with some very irregular seams. In a few cases I had to applique raw edges to end up with the hexagons anywhere near the proper size/shape. But it was worth the effort -- she had kept these with her for 70 years through about 10-12 moves, some up-sizing, others downsizing ending up in a one room apartment in assisted living. They must have been extremely important to her. I made four wall hangings out of them, one each for my two daughters, my sister and myself.

Glad to see some dates for your fabric. I've got some that looks identical to yours from my mother's stash. Not sure when she got them, but she was born in 1913 and sewed all her life.

Beautiful fabrics!

I love those fabrics....sorry dont know anything about them thou

Love the blocks. The fabrics definitely appear 30's. Very nice.

These look like the real thing to me. I grew up watching my mom use up the flour and the sugar, and then use the fabric to make dishtowels. She wasn't in to quilting, but my gramma did, these look like the ones she used in her 30's quilt. I believe these to be the real thing. Repro's are just that, reproductions of what you have. You're right, I too would have to feel them, but I think they are the real Mccoy.

I vote 30's. I just inherited a bag of fabrics just like these and there was actually a receipt from a store stuffed into the bag with them and it was dated early 30's.

I still don't know what to do with my fabrics. Some of the scraps are pretty tiny. Some are actually pieces of clothing.

Woohoo. I figured out what size pieces I need for the last 5 unfinished star blocks. I started piecing them last night.

I'll post photos when I'm done. It's going to be tricky putting together 4", 5", 3" blocks and 11 star blocks, but my goal is to do it.

LOVE this !!! I, too, have been given some '30s (??) quilt blocks and some large pieces of material - with no idea of what to do with them..... I have some that are paper-pieced in a KIND OF fan shape, probably using up pieces of materials. Looking forward to see what you will be doing. Good luck, Candace

I am guessing these fabrics date from 1930's. I also think they look fabulous no matter what era they are from and they are soooo worth saving. You will enjoy the quilt that comes from these little bits of history so much!

Lucky girl! Those fabrics were so popular that they still reproduce them. Check out the prices for authentic feedsacks from the 30's: http://www.rickrack.com/antqfile1a.html

Candace-what a gift! To remove stains in older fabrics I have found a soaking in hot water (yes those feed sack fabrics can handle it!) and BIZ overnight. Then rinse in cold water and air dry. Not afraid to machine dry the fabric, but since it's cut, MD would encourage raveling. G

Thanks, I'll wash it well after it's assembled. Luckily any staining is on the darker fabrics and you really can't notice it.

Candace, I have a lot of pieces like the Diamond shapes.. they are large pieces and old fabric like yours .. I think.

These are my favorite vintage fabric styles. Lucky you!

Jane, if they're the same size as mine I can try to help you piece them if you're interested. For mine, I just had to cut 4 in. squares for the corners and 4" 1/2 triangles for the sides.

wow, love the fabrics

You're very lucky, you'll have a very nice heirloom quilt when it's finished!! Congratulations!

Linda B- What a beautiful quilt and the workmanship is remarkable. You're lucky to have this.

Candace - What a beautiful job you've done on these stars. Clever of you to put the sashing and make them all uniform. Can't wait to see what you'll make with these.