they were handstched-and poorly-until money came in, and then they bought machines.
they were not made to look at. they were made to keep warm. an interesting story, but not especially interesting quilts.
there are members on the board who remember grannies taking apart old coats and re-using the flattened out wool to use as blankets. my aunt did that as well.
we didn't then and don't now, think of them as 'art'. we think of them as warm.
and my aunt would shake with laughter to hear this conversation. she would love to sell you her artwork. she can afford blankets now. would anyone care to buy one from her? she comes from an impoverished upstate, ny town where there are no jobs and she's moved on to a better life. does the story sound similar? oh, she's 92 and remembers the bad old days, too.