Each time I see these Lessons from an Old Quilt I am amazed. Really loved this one ... to think that it survived for more than 175 years! Unheard of. My grandmother was a quilter. She pieced nine quilt tops before her death in 1949. She gave them to my mother and mom quilted each one as we were prepreparing to marry. So I think since mine was quilted in 1972 so it would be considered to be 50 years old now. Right? Being a quilter myself, I treasure that quilt and beat myself up for using it. Note: Grandma hand pieced and handquilted all of her quilts. She had quilting bees at her house every Tuesday with her friends and neighbors. I would love to send you a photo of it to see if you could identify the blocks, because I am not sure if my guess is right ... maybe postage stamp. Would it ruin it if I made a label and added the history of the quilt to the back? Keep making these old quilt videos ... they are the best!!
Thank you so much for your kind words and the wonderful story about your grandmother's quilts! Please feel free to send me pictures. I would LOVE to see them! My email address is sewthedistance@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing it! As for adding a label, I can't imagine it would ruin it, especially if it were just appliquéd on. It you are nervous, I wouldn't back the appliqué with anything sticky (glue, fusible interfacing, etc.). I feel it is important to document these quilts, even if it is with photos or a note that goes with it, like this one. I hope this helps. If the quilt is super old (like this one), always talk to an appraiser first. Thanks again for your kind words! I don't intend to stop making these videos any time soon! I have 10 or so that I haven't made videos for yet. They are coming up! These quilts seem to find me--I am actually going to an auction on Saturday. I am hoping to add to my collection! They are so much fun, aren't they?
Please don't beat yourself up for using that quilt - that's why your grandmother made it - I'm sure she would love the idea of it still being used by her grand-daughter - its why we make quilts, right? 💗💗
Side Note on the Green Dye.. it's very possible that the green textile was an import from Germany..they were producing (non arsenic) brighter greens since the early 1800s ..especially if the "blanket"(lol) is from PA,OH WV,MD many European immigrants settled there and could have brought it with them
Thank you! I did not know this! I continue to learn from all of the viewers, too. This platform is amazing. This quilt is from Pennsylvania, so that would make sense. I am a little surprised at how well the colors are consistent and are vibrant still. This makes sense.
Its amazing to think that quilts if carefully constructed and cared for can last for over a century. I love the mariner's compass design especially as i work for a container ship company. Love this series and cant wait to see what quilt you feature next.
Thank you so much! The mariners compass quilt is on my quilting bucket list, but i may just have to paper piece it. I am not sure I could do it by hand and have success! Thank you so much for watching. More to come! I just bought 11 antique/vintage quilts at an auction last weekend! I also have about six or seven I haven't featured yet.
What a history this quilt must have 🤔 And how loved it must have been to survive in such good condition 🤩 Thank you so much for sharing this quilt with us 👏👏🇬🇧
Thank you for showing this gorgeous quilt. Always thought Mariner's compass was too biasey for accurate hand piecing. Well, that sewist did a great job. I may have to hand piece a block myself. The glove controversy is....controversial. Abby Cox handles antique dresses with fresh clean hands, and no rings/bracelets. I've seen museum people handle old manuscripts with bare hands, and they maintain that the items are safer from accidental tearing without gloves. Frankly, I think there is something sad about a quilt gets deemed too valuable for anyone to touch.
Isn't it amazing? This quilt has inspired me to try the block, too. I think hand piecing would be the way to do it, but wow, it would be a task! As for the controversy, I completely agree! This quilt was made to be used. That said, If it would have been requested that I wore gloves by the owner, I would have. The owner did not handle it with gloves either. This quilt, albeit very old, is a solid quilt. Me using my hands was not going to damage it. In fact, I think gloves could have caused more issues. I did, however, make sure my hands were clean and free of any lotions, etc. I also kept the quilt very far from our pup. LOL! Thank you so much for watching, commenting, and coming to my defense.
What an amazing piece of history. I wonder if it was hung on a wall or over a window at one time to keep out the cold. That was a fairly common use of quilts. Thank you for sharing your friends quilt with us.
Thank you, Joe! I am sure Luanne will show it to you in person. I don't think the video did it justice, as much as I tried to capture it. Seeing it in person is just breathtaking!
Another potential lesson is to think about where the imperfect block or border join will be placed on the quilt. If it is a bed quilt, which corner or corners will be the most visible? Which ones may be hidden in or behind the bed frame--or will there be a pillow tuck? Notice that the odd fabric compass is not in the center but in a corner--even though the color is spot-on, the maker "hid" the imperfect block. So if you have to cheat a little, do it in a spot that won't draw too much attention, or decide that the imperfection is a design choice and highlight it. Either option is a valid decision.
Thank you for sharing this amazing quilt, making a pillow top/ sham / pillow case is a great way to use up and leftover fabric from the actual quilt and something I’ve started going because my daughter requests at least one pillow case with each quilt.
I really enjoy this series. I hope you will be able to continue it. As an aside, are our detergents really that harsh? Perhaps they just didn’t wash their quilts? I was thinking their washing compounds were based on lye, but I really don’t know. Laundering a quilt that size would be an huge effort! I don’t believe it could be hung to dry either….
I know at least some quilts were washed, but I am sure there are others that just hang them out to air dry. Also, sometimes when families inherit quilts, they immediately wash them, sometimes ruining the quilts in the process, especially if there are holes (I have a video on it called "The Tattered Quilt" where I believe this happened. I think this practice has been going on for years and years. My parents had a lot of my grandmothers' quilts and they were washed regularly in the 1970s and 1980s. As for how much old quilts were washed by the original owners and makers, I will have to a bit more reading on that. Of course, they didn't necessarily think of them as heirlooms/collectibles as we do now. Most quilts were used everyday, so I believe they would have been washed, too. Great question! I will have to dig deeper into this topic. Thank you!
I agree on both counts! LOL! I think I may be able to paper-piece this, but gosh, those all those points! To think the maker used templates and scissors! It is crazy! I really love this quilt, but I am also happy to get it back to Luanne. I am nervous the puppy will find it! 😀
I usually like a colorful binding but I wonder how that thin binding would do in a quilt show these days. I've never seen one and wonder if it would be criticized. I feel not all quilts need borders or fancy bindings.
Great question! I am really not sure how it would do. It would be tricky to get it show-quality perfect, I would think. If you find out, please let me know!
As Momma use to say, "It'll never be noticed on a galloping hourse." That was her way of telling me, "Most people will never notice." Then there are some people that are never pleased or happy. We just have to learn to pay little attention to them.
Beautiful quilt. I notice you handle the old quilt without gloves. Is that not a thing? I notice that ladies at quilt shows wear gloves. Any comment is welcome.
Great question! Usually when handling someone else's old quilt, I wear gloves. I wouldn't want the oils on my hands to damage it. For this one, the owner, Luanne, didn't want me to wear gloves. I asked. 😊 She said she handles it all the time and so does other family members. As for my own old quilts, I use most of them in my home, so I don't wear gloves for them, either. I hope this helps! Thanks so much for asking this great question!
I have no idea! i would think a very long time! Imagine all the templates needed! Cutting them out alone with that days. 😂 I am still in awe of this quilt. I am looking forward to returning it to her because it makes me so nervous just having it in the house. It had to have taken months and months to make. Of course, they didn't have the internet, tv, and all the other distractions we have. I could really make a lot of quilts if i stopped watching Netflix alone! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Great questions! Fading can occur because of light exposure, use, and the passing of time. Also, the detergents used could wash away the dyes, too, especially if harsh detergents were used. As for the holes, I don't think it should be touched until a quilt appraiser looks at it. Repairing it could make it lose value, especially with a quilt this old. That, of course, is my opinion. I have watched too many episodes of Antique Roadshow where someone messes with a finish on a piece of furniture and now it is almost worthless! LOL! I have advised Luanne to get it appraised and to get advice from a professional. I only do this as a hobby and would be nervous to mess with something this old and I think, valuable.
@@SewtheDistance I've seen articles on situations like this and I believe the guidline is don't do anything that can't be undone. If it were me I'd do as the experts suggested #1 Use very fine tulle and fine 100% cotton thread to applique over the tear front and back or #2 do the same with a color matching undyed piece of muslin . Whatever you do to stabilize is important to the life of the quilt . You can also after appraisal send to a qualified textile restorer . I think it is worth it as it's a special family keepsake .
Ps The cost of appraisal and repair are probably cost prohibitive. Any use of the quilt would not be good unless purely decorative in an appropriate archival manner .. stored away from light and moisture refolding to prevent creasing and damaging fiber. Some have chosen to reproduce a quilt in closely matching fabrics this honoring the maker. ❤️
Maybe sometime you could do a video on bed runners. I read somewhere that they were called crib to casket because they fit cribs and then covered the body in a casket. Any truth to that?
I think I made a bed runner years ago. Thank you for the reminder! Great idea for a video! I will jot that down and see what I can come up with. As for burial quilts or casket quilts, I am not sure if they were also used as bed runners or not. I am going to have to do more reading about this. I know there are quilts that were used to cover caskets and there were also quilts used to wrap the body even. I recently read an article where a quilt maker actually making a quilt for her own casket when the time comes. Interesting (and a bit depressing) thought. I wish I had more information for you about this! Let me see what I can find out.
First, a young girl in that era usually had a quilting when she turned 16...relatives and friends came together to do the final quilting. Depending on the age of the owner when she married can even date the quilt back a few years. Second, you should not be handling the quilt with your bare hands...Historians will tell you that they always wear gloves to protect the quilt from the oils on the hands. And, yes your friend should contact a society of quilt historians and have this quilt appraised.
So happy your friend shared this quilt with you and then allowed you to share with us! What a treasure 😊
Thank you so much! It really is a beauty!
Each time I see these Lessons from an Old Quilt I am amazed. Really loved this one ... to think that it survived for more than 175 years! Unheard of.
My grandmother was a quilter. She pieced nine quilt tops before her death in 1949. She gave them to my mother and mom quilted each one as we were prepreparing to marry. So I think since mine was quilted in 1972 so it would be considered to be 50 years old now. Right? Being a quilter myself, I treasure that quilt and beat myself up for using it.
Note: Grandma hand pieced and handquilted all of her quilts. She had quilting bees at her house every Tuesday with her friends and neighbors. I would love to send you a photo of it to see if you could identify the blocks, because I am not sure if my guess is right ... maybe postage stamp. Would it ruin it if I made a label and added the history of the quilt to the back?
Keep making these old quilt videos ... they are the best!!
Thank you so much for your kind words and the wonderful story about your grandmother's quilts! Please feel free to send me pictures. I would LOVE to see them! My email address is sewthedistance@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing it! As for adding a label, I can't imagine it would ruin it, especially if it were just appliquéd on. It you are nervous, I wouldn't back the appliqué with anything sticky (glue, fusible interfacing, etc.). I feel it is important to document these quilts, even if it is with photos or a note that goes with it, like this one. I hope this helps. If the quilt is super old (like this one), always talk to an appraiser first. Thanks again for your kind words! I don't intend to stop making these videos any time soon! I have 10 or so that I haven't made videos for yet. They are coming up! These quilts seem to find me--I am actually going to an auction on Saturday. I am hoping to add to my collection! They are so much fun, aren't they?
Please don't beat yourself up for using that quilt - that's why your grandmother made it - I'm sure she would love the idea of it still being used by her grand-daughter - its why we make quilts, right? 💗💗
Thank you for your hard work and enthusiasm for these quilts the Marriners quilt is one of my all times favourite block. Love this series.
You are so welcome! Isn't this one a beauty? I love sharing these old beauties and am thrilled you love this series! More to come! 🥰
Excellent cannot wait
Side Note on the Green Dye.. it's very possible that the green textile was an import from Germany..they were producing (non arsenic) brighter greens since the early 1800s ..especially if the "blanket"(lol) is from PA,OH WV,MD many European immigrants settled there and could have brought it with them
Thank you! I did not know this! I continue to learn from all of the viewers, too. This platform is amazing. This quilt is from Pennsylvania, so that would make sense. I am a little surprised at how well the colors are consistent and are vibrant still. This makes sense.
I'm loving this quilt Kris!!!💛Thank you for bringing it to us! I could never imagine doing this by hand!!! What a treasure!!!!💛
It’s incredible, isn’t it? I am in love with this one!
Its amazing to think that quilts if carefully constructed and cared for can last for over a century. I love the mariner's compass design especially as i work for a container ship company. Love this series and cant wait to see what quilt you feature next.
Thank you so much! The mariners compass quilt is on my quilting bucket list, but i may just have to paper piece it. I am not sure I could do it by hand and have success! Thank you so much for watching. More to come! I just bought 11 antique/vintage quilts at an auction last weekend! I also have about six or seven I haven't featured yet.
What a history this quilt must have 🤔 And how loved it must have been to survive in such good condition 🤩 Thank you so much for sharing this quilt with us 👏👏🇬🇧
Thank you for watching! It’s such a beauty, isn’t it?
Thanks Kris…what a gorgeous quilt. Beautiful. 💖🇦🇺
You are so welcome! This is one of my favorites. Isn't this an amazing quilt? I just love it!
Something about the Simplicity of just having the 2 colors with the white background, just stunning
I couldn't agree more. ❤️
This quilt is gorgeous. I'm enjoying your old quilt reviews and learning skills.
Thank you so much! I love that you are enjoying this series!
Thank you for showing this gorgeous quilt. Always thought Mariner's compass was too biasey for accurate hand piecing. Well, that sewist did a great job. I may have to hand piece a block myself.
The glove controversy is....controversial. Abby Cox handles antique dresses with fresh clean hands, and no rings/bracelets. I've seen museum people handle old manuscripts with bare hands, and they maintain that the items are safer from accidental tearing without gloves. Frankly, I think there is something sad about a quilt gets deemed too valuable for anyone to touch.
Isn't it amazing? This quilt has inspired me to try the block, too. I think hand piecing would be the way to do it, but wow, it would be a task!
As for the controversy, I completely agree! This quilt was made to be used. That said, If it would have been requested that I wore gloves by the owner, I would have. The owner did not handle it with gloves either. This quilt, albeit very old, is a solid quilt. Me using my hands was not going to damage it. In fact, I think gloves could have caused more issues. I did, however, make sure my hands were clean and free of any lotions, etc. I also kept the quilt very far from our pup. LOL!
Thank you so much for watching, commenting, and coming to my defense.
That is just so fun that it has a note along with it! It's just fascinating learning about all of these quilts. This quilt is just stunning!
Just fyi, i would have done the same with the border. I hate borders and don't bother stressing on that! lol
What a fun surprise with the pillow cover! So amazing that this set was cared for so long!
Isn't it great! I love it too!
Right? I mean, it has been in that family so long. It's crazy!
Wow! that's an amazing quilt!
Isn't it? I am still in awe.
What an amazing piece of history. I wonder if it was hung on a wall or over a window at one time to keep out the cold. That was a fairly common use of quilts. Thank you for sharing your friends quilt with us.
Oh! That could be it! I wonder if it was. Great point. I will mention that to the owner. Thank you so watching!
Really enjoyed this Mariners Compass quilt and your video Kris.
Thank you, Joe! I am sure Luanne will show it to you in person. I don't think the video did it justice, as much as I tried to capture it. Seeing it in person is just breathtaking!
Another potential lesson is to think about where the imperfect block or border join will be placed on the quilt. If it is a bed quilt, which corner or corners will be the most visible? Which ones may be hidden in or behind the bed frame--or will there be a pillow tuck? Notice that the odd fabric compass is not in the center but in a corner--even though the color is spot-on, the maker "hid" the imperfect block. So if you have to cheat a little, do it in a spot that won't draw too much attention, or decide that the imperfection is a design choice and highlight it. Either option is a valid decision.
Great points! Thank you!
Wow what a beautiful quilt. Thank you for sharing it.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Thank You very cool to see and learn and i think sometimes we think we have to be perfect but its better doing than be perfect /Gisela in Sweden
Exactly! That's what I continue to learn from these amazing quilts--they aren't perfect and are still amazing. Thank you so much for watching!
Thank you for sharing this amazing quilt, making a pillow top/ sham / pillow case is a great way to use up and leftover fabric from the actual quilt and something I’ve started going because my daughter requests at least one pillow case with each quilt.
You are so welcome! That is a great idea! Thank you for sharing!
What an amazing treasure!
Isn’t it? It has been an honor to review it!
Amazing!
Isn't it? I am so happy you enjoyed it!
I really enjoy this series. I hope you will be able to continue it. As an aside, are our detergents really that harsh? Perhaps they just didn’t wash their quilts? I was thinking their washing compounds were based on lye, but I really don’t know. Laundering a quilt that size would be an huge effort! I don’t believe it could be hung to dry either….
I know at least some quilts were washed, but I am sure there are others that just hang them out to air dry. Also, sometimes when families inherit quilts, they immediately wash them, sometimes ruining the quilts in the process, especially if there are holes (I have a video on it called "The Tattered Quilt" where I believe this happened. I think this practice has been going on for years and years. My parents had a lot of my grandmothers' quilts and they were washed regularly in the 1970s and 1980s. As for how much old quilts were washed by the original owners and makers, I will have to a bit more reading on that. Of course, they didn't necessarily think of them as heirlooms/collectibles as we do now. Most quilts were used everyday, so I believe they would have been washed, too. Great question! I will have to dig deeper into this topic. Thank you!
AMAZING quilt and review. Thank you
Thank you! So happy you enjoyed it!
I think it was hung too. Love it but could not make it. Thanks for showing it.
I agree on both counts! LOL! I think I may be able to paper-piece this, but gosh, those all those points! To think the maker used templates and scissors! It is crazy! I really love this quilt, but I am also happy to get it back to Luanne. I am nervous the puppy will find it! 😀
I usually like a colorful binding but I wonder how that thin binding would do in a quilt show these days. I've never seen one and wonder if it would be criticized. I feel not all quilts need borders or fancy bindings.
Great question! I am really not sure how it would do. It would be tricky to get it show-quality perfect, I would think. If you find out, please let me know!
As Momma use to say, "It'll never be noticed on a galloping hourse." That was her way of telling me, "Most people will never notice." Then there are some people that are never pleased or happy. We just have to learn to pay little attention to them.
Agreed, although I think it enhances this quilt. It is a great little surprise!
@@SewtheDistance I agree.
Beautiful quilt. I notice you handle the old quilt without gloves. Is that not a thing? I notice that ladies at quilt shows wear gloves. Any comment is welcome.
Great question! Usually when handling someone else's old quilt, I wear gloves. I wouldn't want the oils on my hands to damage it. For this one, the owner, Luanne, didn't want me to wear gloves. I asked. 😊 She said she handles it all the time and so does other family members. As for my own old quilts, I use most of them in my home, so I don't wear gloves for them, either. I hope this helps! Thanks so much for asking this great question!
How much time do you think it took to make this? I cant even fathom! I get antsy to do a quilt in a couple of months. Lol! Thanks! This was fun!
I have no idea! i would think a very long time! Imagine all the templates needed! Cutting them out alone with that days. 😂 I am still in awe of this quilt. I am looking forward to returning it to her because it makes me so nervous just having it in the house. It had to have taken months and months to make. Of course, they didn't have the internet, tv, and all the other distractions we have. I could really make a lot of quilts if i stopped watching Netflix alone! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Kris, What causes the colors to fade? Also, shouldn't something be done to stabilize those holes to prevent further damage?
Great questions! Fading can occur because of light exposure, use, and the passing of time. Also, the detergents used could wash away the dyes, too, especially if harsh detergents were used. As for the holes, I don't think it should be touched until a quilt appraiser looks at it. Repairing it could make it lose value, especially with a quilt this old. That, of course, is my opinion. I have watched too many episodes of Antique Roadshow where someone messes with a finish on a piece of furniture and now it is almost worthless! LOL! I have advised Luanne to get it appraised and to get advice from a professional. I only do this as a hobby and would be nervous to mess with something this old and I think, valuable.
@@SewtheDistance I've seen articles on situations like this and I believe the guidline is don't do anything that can't be undone. If it were me I'd do as the experts suggested #1 Use very fine tulle and fine 100% cotton thread to applique over the tear front and back or #2 do the same with a color matching undyed piece of muslin . Whatever you do to stabilize is important to the life of the quilt . You can also after appraisal send to a qualified textile restorer . I think it is worth it as it's a special family keepsake .
Ps The cost of appraisal and repair are probably cost prohibitive. Any use of the quilt would not be good unless purely decorative in an appropriate archival manner .. stored away from light and moisture refolding to prevent creasing and damaging fiber. Some have chosen to reproduce a quilt in closely matching fabrics this honoring the maker. ❤️
Maybe sometime you could do a video on bed runners. I read somewhere that they were called crib to casket because they fit cribs and then covered the body in a casket. Any truth to that?
I think I made a bed runner years ago. Thank you for the reminder! Great idea for a video! I will jot that down and see what I can come up with. As for burial quilts or casket quilts, I am not sure if they were also used as bed runners or not. I am going to have to do more reading about this. I know there are quilts that were used to cover caskets and there were also quilts used to wrap the body even. I recently read an article where a quilt maker actually making a quilt for her own casket when the time comes. Interesting (and a bit depressing) thought. I wish I had more information for you about this! Let me see what I can find out.
There is no picture. Just audio
That is so weird. I get both on my end. I wonder if CZcams is having issues?
First, a young girl in that era usually had a quilting when she turned 16...relatives and friends came together to do the final quilting. Depending on the age of the owner when she married can even date the quilt back a few years.
Second, you should not be handling the quilt with your bare hands...Historians will tell you that they always wear gloves to protect the quilt from the oils on the hands. And, yes your friend should contact a society of quilt historians and have this quilt appraised.
I'm sure this quilt has been handled, cuddled and loved for years......Thank you Kris for bringing this treasure to us....LOVE your lessons!❤
Thank you so much for watching!