This quilt was found in the attic of my husband's family farm house when we had to clear everything out in order to sell the property. (His uncle died and mother in a nursing home.) In 1996 the Framingham, MA Historical Society sponsored a quilt documentation day conducted by the Massachusetts Documentation Project (a subsidiary of the New England Quilt Museum, Lowell, MA). I submitted the quilt for this event. They determined the quilt was made in the last quarter of the 19th century!, composed of silk, velvet and silk ribbons in the crazy quilt pattern made within blocks. Of course, all made by hand. It does have the initials SAB. My husband had never seen the quilt growing up therefore we have no idea of its original owner. We had two ladies help go through items in order to sell on consignment but when they found this quilt they insisted that I keep it. I am thankful that they were so honest and caring. I take it out periodically to refold. It is so beautiful and I am awed by the handwork and details.

such a treasure! Beautiful quilt.

Amazing!

It is beautiful! So much hard work, I bet you are so happy that you kept it!

That is one beautiful quilt.

Beautiful treasure! :thumbup:

If only these antique crazy quilts could talk... Just imagine the stories that would unfold. They are sew, sew beautiful and anyone that has one is blessed with keeping it's untold history alive. Thanks for sharing.

What an incredible find.

just an idea....maybe you want to roll it with 100% cotton muslin instead of folding it.

The quilt is beautiful! I am collecting the books that the Quilt Documentation produced from almost all of the states.

I hope to produce a crazy quilt. Have been collecting fabrics from thrift stores, etc.
Thank you for showing this quilt.

Quilter68 who is now 69

What a beautiful quilt! A true treasure...glad you have rescued it and given it a good home.

Oh! You have a beautiful treasure there! You are so lucky:)

This is such a treasure!! You might consider displaying it in your home in a glass front "trunk". They sell those at many quilt shows. This beautiful quilt should be seen, IMHO, rather than laying in a closet. You could also have it mounted by large stitches to heavier fabric and hung from a rod (out of direct sun, of course) on a wall.

What a treasure!! I hope to make a small crazy patch wallhanging one day, been collecting for awhile!! I agree with rolling it in muslin or displaying it for your enjoyment out of sunlight or even florescent lighting. Just enjoy it!!

This is really a beautiful quilt and a treasure even if you don't know its complete history. Often these crazy quilts were kept to be used on "special occasions" which might explain why your husband doesn't recall seeing it. My mother had her bridal quilt put away and I had never seen it, only knew it existed. I now have it in a glass quilt case but worry about its care.

A real treasure. Lucky you.

The quilt has the initials SAB and our last name starts with a B. Father-in-law came to America from Spain when he was 21. I had thought maybe he brought it over with him but the initials are embroidered in cursive just like Palmer method not a Europeon style. Husband also had an aunt who started to buy antiques in the 1950's as she retired from teaching and was starting to bring the old farmhouse to modern times. Sadly she died not have many years to enjoy retirement. Too bad someone didn't think to tuck a note to explain its presence.
Thank you for enjoying this quilt. I wish everyone could see it in person. It is so intricate and colorful. The stitches are perfect and so tiny.

Quilter 68 - The quilt number is 740 Massachusetts

pheasantduster,

Thank you for the number. I will look it up in my books.

Quilter68

A beautiful treasure! Thanks for sharing with us!!

Awesome!

Ohhhhhhh..........It's beautiful!

What a treasured memory!

What a gorgeous treasure! Wouldn't it be fun to do some research and see if you could find who made it? It's beautiful!

That's a beautiful crazy quilt. It's too bad you can't document it as being made by a family member. I would think that it being in the attic of a family home that it probably was made by a family member.

It would be fun to find the genealogy link to SAB. I have 2 that were in my DH's family along with Daguerre type pictures of the quilt makers. They have been documented in NH.
I made a wall-hanging sized CQ this summer, hmmm I have it mostly done. ;-)

piney

I'm so glad that treasure found a home with someone who truly appreciates it.

How amazingly beautiful!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

Wonderful. So glad it found you to care for it.

I would talk to a local Museum and donate it. That way they would preserve it and other people could enjoy the beauty of such a national treasure.

Beautiful. It looks like it's in great shape too. It also reminds me of that $70,000 quilt..... :)

grangerist: Yes this is the idea I considered the best -
On my to-do-list (Bucket List?)

Oh my! Can I come over and look at that more closely? I could be absorbed by that for HOURS! :-D

Treasure your great find. I'm also a native of MA now living in Arizona and want to make a replica Crazy Quilt. The one that I remember from my childhood was not made into blocks but one huge quilt that started in the center and worked out in all directions. They are a true work of art. Thank you for sharing your treasure with us.

A stunning heirloom! It's beautiful!

WOW!!!!! That is Beautiful.

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful treasure. Please post more pictures and post them.

Gorgeous :thumbup: :D

Just another example of why we should always label our quilts.. we have no idea how long they will last or who will have them.. This one is just beautiful. wonder who made it, don't you?

That is indeed a treasure! Amazing what folks did "way back when". Less fabric choices, less tools & thread - but WOW!
You are blessed to have found this quilt.

You have a great treasure there!