A very kind lady gave this to me, but I don't quite know what to do with it. She didn't know how old it is but said it was pretty old. It looks in very good shape. It doesn't fit my king bed and most likely was meant for a regular bed size.

If I add to it, how would I do that? I like color and was thinking of cutting off the white muslin on the edges to add more color. Is this too sinful? Does anyone recognize the fabrics' era? What to do is my question.

well, first off i think if it's yours you can do what you want with it. if you want to cut it all up and make table runners out of it you can, there are no quilt police to cart you off or repossess your machine :)
it is a very pretty quilt! i can definitly see why you want to keep it and make it fit your bed. can you find fabrics to coordinate? i think if you removed the large outer border you could use that fabric in blocks to pull it together. maybe frame with a small border then make more fan blocks (using salvaged border fabric and your own scraps) then another outer border. it really depends on how much you need to add to get it up to size...measurements would be helpful. but as an example;
if it now measures 72"x80" and that outer border is 6", removing that would make it now 60"x 68" if you add a smaller (framing border) say 2 1/2" that brings you back up to 64"x72. then a new border of fan blocks (are they 12"?) if so that brings it up to 88"x 96 now it's getting there...then add another framing border; 4 1/2" will get it up to 96"x104" (this is of course just an example it all depends on the actual measurements.
i definitly think its worth expanding!

It's beautiful! I agree with ckcowl, I'd remove that large outer border and use it to space some more blocks. It will be time consuming to make blocks in the style that the originals are but you'll be so pleased when it's finished. Search for some vintage fabrics that coordinate with the ones used.

I agree also..i would add another border and make it your own. What a great find!

Maybe you could add some narrow borders wit a pieced wider border in between. I wouldn't feel like removing the boarder already there.

I think border material in bright colors, Jinny Beyer has some that would go perfectly (jinnybeyer.com)with a solid color on either side to frame the top of your bed then add back the background border for the overhang. Its a lovely quilt and will be beautiful when you finish.

Its really pretty! The prints remind me of the 30s and 40's fabrics. I love it!

Very neat looking.

If you cut off the border I would think you'd have a hard time finding fabric from that period in such long pieces. Without more of a close-up they look like feed sacks to me. But the rest of the quilt looks newer.
Maybe the blocks were done at one time and then put together years later?
I know Connecting Threads has a line called Canning Day that features feed sack looking fabrics.
Let us know what you do!!
It's so pretty!!!!!!! :D

Definitely 30s-40s fabric. Personally I would leave it as is. It's gorgeous. Lucky you.

I agree with Neece.. I would leave it like it is... if you want it bigger, add some black around the white.. to match the black around the fans... That would make the fans pop.. and it would make it bigger for your bed... lucky you.. great gift.. or quilt as is and use it for the back of a couch or a throw on a chair for show that is... Beautiful quilt...:)

What about squaring the fan section, taking some from the length to add to the sides,set on point, and then use the wide border around that. could mix it with other colors, working to get the size you need. Or, if the square is large enough, use it on point on your bed ,like a coverlet.

why couldnt you quilt it with multi color thread that would match the colors in the blocks you would be keeping the what was done

I agree! I think the Aunt Gracie range of fabrics would blend well

What a great gift. I think you could remove that white border and replace it with something of your own.

I think I would remove the print border as well as the white border, find a red print that would coordinate with the reds in the fans, do a narrow border of the red, then put the print border back on with setting squares of another coorinating fabric. At that point I would add other borders until you get the size you want.

I gather that this is a top that hasn't been quilted? If it were me, and if the top is in good condition, I would quilt it just as it is. I would put it on a smaller bed or use it as a throw or lap quilt. However, you are entirely free to make your own decision. It is now YOUR QUILT!

Maybe google dresden plate images, and get some more ideas there :D:D:D
This quilt is beautiful!!

I think the black is a good idea - you could also do more fan blocks. I'd leave it as is and add on - not change what the first quilter did - just add on.

I like it as it is now.

You can use any of the 30's reproductions to go with what you have...there are many styles and ranges of colors in the repros that will work with what you have. And I think everyone here has given wonderful suggestions for this quilt top. Lucky you!! Do what you like, and then show us!! :-)

I think you ought to send it to me.
And I mean that in the very best way.
I love this quilt.
.

I think I would just add more repo fabric onto the outside light border. Start with a 4inch and then a 3” then a 2” what ever size you start with just stair step it down in size then finish the edges with plain prairie points to match the solid light in the quilt. The colors won’t be butted together so you won’t have a color problem and it should flow together very well with whatever fabric you choose.

You all gave me some good ideas. Adding some more of the same colors should do it. On closer inspection, it does look like feed sacks were used plus the muslin is rough. The 6" border appears to have been added later as that is softer. I'll have to find 1930-40s prints. It's still just a quilt top so adding shouldn't be too difficult. The fans were hand appliqued in black, would hate to mess with that. Thanks again everyone.

Aunt Grace fabrics is what I have found to be like 30's designs.

Thanks - I'll look for Aunt Grace.

I don't think a new fabric has to match. Use something with one of the colors out of the quilt that maybe compliments one of the colors in your room. Then take off just what you need to make it fit just the top of your bed and use the new fabric to make a skirt to hang down the sides of the bed. The way we used to make bedspreads, only the top was quilted and the sides hung with gathers or, even, inverted pleats (to save yardage).

Sinful? What Sin? It's YOUR quilt now and you can just ignore the sirens of the quilt police and do what makes you happy.

Lots of these suggestions here sound lovely, but it's up to you to decide what is best for your quilt. Me, I like the quilt robes so that I can keep them in the front room and show them off to visitors!!

Show us the final product, I'll bet it will be lovely.