My Great Grandmother's friendship quilt 1934
 

Years back I was given my Great Grandmother's friendship quilt, as I was the only one willing to try to repair it. Well it got put away, we moved, life happened, and pretty much I forgot about it until I joined QB in Jan. 2011. I got it out and began to carefully try to access what needed to be done. All of the black fabric was so rotten if you touched it, it would just fall off. Much of it was already missing as you can see in the picture. So I removed all the saching and borders and replace it with new black fabric. I had to just hand stitch it on to keep the integrity of the original quilt. I am very pleased with the finished product, and it lays across the love seat in my family room. It's funny, every time a family member comes over they say they would love to have the quilt! I sometimes feel guilty, but then I remember the hours I worked to restore it, and I don't feel bad at all. I hope you enjoy. Kathy

Sorry about that last picture -- it came out very blurry, but I wanted you to see the date.

How wonderful........... don't let them make you guilty I see you had to work very hard it is very nice

A beautiful treasure! You did a remarkable job restoring it. Let your family look and enjoy, but don't feel guilty!

I have my grandmothers quilt that she made in the late 20 and early 30. It is in really bad shape but I can't bring myself to do anything to it as it will not be hers than. So it hangs over my quilt rack. The best part of this is that I have a picture of her standing in front of this quilt when she got it done.

You did a wonderful job restoring it. Now you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come!!!

Remember you are the one that took on the project of restoring the quilt and don't let the others try to make you feel bad. They didn't want it when it was a mess!!
Love all your work. I'm sure your great grandmother is very pleased with what you have done. Your are lucky to have a picture of her with the quilt.

What a great job you did of restoring the quilt. Don't feel guilty, you earned to right to own it.

Great job onthe restoration! I would hold on to it too....

Your restoration is beautifully done. I wonder why just the black fabric fell away and not the other piecing? Do you think the black dye is harsher on the fabric?

Thank you for sharing this. Yes, the mordants used in some dyes were caustic and resulted in lost fabrics over time.

You did a awesome job and please don't ever let them make you feel bad , it's rightful yours, you did the work !!!

Awesome work and quilt.

Don't feel guilty, as you put many hours of love and patience back into this old masterpiece - it is something to cherish and hope you can bequeath it to someone in your family who will cherish it as much as you have, so it remains a part of the family forever. Bless you for this big task and done so beautifully - it appears to be a new quilt now.

Great job restoring. Looks really nice.

What a wonderful treasure!

You did a wonderful job repairing it. Don't feel quilty, you deserve to have it.

Great job on the repairs, looks like the original piecing. Be proud of your accomplishment and no guilty feelings. It's yours fair and square. Keep and enjoy.

sassy granny

You did a great job repairing this heirloom. Quite a keepsake and since you did the repairs it does belong to you.

What a wonderful labor of love!

Of course the relatives want it...it looks wonderful! But I'm glad you remember that YOU are the one who made it look that way again. Congratulations on a job well done and a terrific family heirloom.

I have one the same vintage and the black is falling apart, too. Maybe I will re do it...don't let anyone make you feel quilty..you took care of it for all of those years...I can tell you no one is getting mine for sure!

You did an excellant job of restoring it. What would happen if you hadn't done this? The next in line would probably pitch it. I love it and I've done that to a few of my past family. No guilt allowed. JMHO.

I so agree. What you did in restoring the quilt is beautiful. It's so pretty. Not many would have tried to do that and it may just have gotten thrown away. Enjoy your work and your quilt. It's beautiful but do keep it.

Wonderful job of restoring a great treasure,I have several tops
that are partly done that my Grandmother did in the early part of
the 50's ,haven't been able to bring myself to do anything with them yet

Just tell them anytime they want to visit grandma's quilt to call before coming over..lol....it's a beauty and you did a wonderful job repairing it...

You did a great job of restoring, and you saved a piece of history. Good Job!

I can see, it was 1934 and I was 2yrs. old then. NO guilt, ever. That is one lovely quilt that nobody cared about, at least, not enough to take the time and effort to restore. You accomplished a labor of love and deserve to have that quilt and pass it down to your children or whoever you wish..

Heirlooms are the best. Don't feel bad about having it. You earned it with all your hard work!

There should not be any guilt on your part. It is beautiful and you did a great job. When they say they would like to have the quilt, just smile and enjoy it, you deserve it!!!!!!

Don't feel guilty about having the quilt. If not for your taking it to restore, it would likely have gone to the dump by now. By the way, you did a wonderful job restoring it.

What a wonderful, wonderful keepsake! Thanks for sharing.

WOW, what a beautiful job!! Don't you dare feel guilty. It's easy to say NOW that they would love it - - - YOU did all the work to bring it back to its former beauty. Bask in its glory!!!

what a treasure for you to have! You did a great job restoring her quilt and am sure she would be proud and want you to be the one to keep it for all the love you also put back into her quilt. Thanks for sharing.

What a great job you did! And I agree with you, you put in the work restoring it and you should get the joy of your labors! Your grandmother would be so proud of the job you did!

What a treasure she made and you have preserved! Your great grandmother would be so pleased :-)

Such a treasure. Blessed you are.

Such a lovely quilt and you have restored it beautifuly , I have a quilt my Mom made the blocks in 1950 , she gave me the blocks to make a quilt out of. took me years to do that as you say life happens. the first time I washed it the black bodies of the butter flies all fell a part what a heart crushing site to see. I replaced each one with new black fabric. looks good but I know what happened even if others don't. thanks for shraing your quilt , don't give it away..

its beautiful and a great treasure

It is a very nice keep sake.
Do not feel guilty.
The did not want it when it had to be repaired.
It is yours now, enjoy it.
J J