117becca

My aunt made a statement to me last summer that "gives me permission" to change a vintage quilt a bit.

i completed a quilt that she started and she thinks it is an honor that I finished it and it is something that we "did together".

The Grandma's Flower Garden that I am finishing for her is now going to be big enough for a bed in her home and she will be able to enjoy it every day.

timepasser

I love this top, such a treasure

quiltsRfun

Oh my goodness! That is a gorgeous quilt. What a treasure. Don't know about the quilting design but I'd leave it without borders.

irishrose

The quilts my grandmother made for me 50 years ago do not have any borders, only binding. Lilac on the Mamie's Star (I named that one) and white on the Grandmother's Flower Garden. The star has a good broadcloth on the back and the garden has a quilting fabric, not muslin. Both are white. Every stitch is by hand - even applying the binding. The Flower Garden is bound following the shape of the flowers. Such a nice touch.

deema

That is beautiful. I would definitely use cotton batting, but that is my preference. And I wouldn't wash it until it's quilted and bound.

irishrose

I couldn't add a third picture in edit. Here are the bindings. I see I need to do some repair work on the flower garden. Those curved areas are coming unstitched in a few places.

I used the star one beyond repairing, but grandma was happy to have it loved. That one is being cut up to use under my 'new' vintage machine and to do framed pictures for my children. The first cut will be very hard, but I'll think of how much it will mean to my children as I do it. A thought - do I have to put a binding on by hand on the part I use? I sure can't insult it by running a serged edge down it - which I wouldn't do. My choice would be to put a binding on with the sewing machine and hand sew the back, but in honor of my wonderful grandmother, I'll do it right.

cathyvv

This is a gorgeous quilt top! You are so lucky to have inherited it.

I also inherited an old quilt top that my grandmother made. My Mom said she thought my grandmother had machine pieced it. It was definitely a scrap quilt.

I found someone who was 'selling' time on her quilting machine and machine quilted it. My inexperience with a quilting machine shows, but the completed quilt looks much better 'done on a bed' then it did in a drawer.

I will wash it in the washing machine when it needs to be washed. I 'store' it on a bed, but under a 'store bought' quilt, so the sun can't get to it and there are no folds to wear the fabric out. I do put it on top when my grandkids or grand-nieces/nephews visit so that it can get the love that it needs - and they get a dose of family history.

I purchased a plaid fabric for the backing, can't remember what batting was made of, but I think it was an 80/20 poly blend.

springtime

it is a beautiful quilt top! What a treasure!
A lady in my local guild told me that when I wash old quilts, to place them in the bathtub lined with a good strong sheet. that way when you lift it out, heavy with water, the delicate quilt won't be stretched or pulled in any way. She also advised that the wash be a simple soak with delicate wash detergent.
I hope you post pics of the finished quilt!
Blessings

lalaland

That is so pretty! How lucky you are to have received such a treasure!

JEM65

What a wonderful gift from your MIL! It is lovely and has such sentimental value! So happy for you.