I'm not one to forget handmade heirlooms, but this is a mystery I can't solve. It is made from gorgeous Depression Era fabrics in a Dresden Plate pattern. The plates are appliqued by hand to the squares, then the squares are sewn together by machine. It is a small size, just two blocks wide and five blocks long. Did the mystery quilter plan to make it bigger but something happened?I suspect this little quilt top came to me via my Dad who would have bought it at a farm auction, likely mixed in with some worthless junk.
I'm thinking about finishing this piece with an old pink cotton sheet as the backing so this long-neglected quilt can be complete.
What do you think - should this be quilted or left as is?
~Susan Mires
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I inherited 16 squares just like these from my grandmother. All hand sewn by her. I put the squares together and since the squares were hand sewn, I quilted by hand. With two very young children, it took me a year to do. Here is a picture of it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/345862446355117723/
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post today and for the memories of my grandma. :)
Campbellamyd At gmail dot.com
Amy, thanks for sharing! It is very similar. And I think you did well to finish the hand quilting within a year.
DeleteWhat a treasure and what a great surprise! You definitely need to finish this jewel with the pink backing and then she will be complete.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Definitely quilt it! What a treasure!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see the "quilt it" side is winning. "then she will be complete." Love it!
DeleteI recently quilted a Sunbonnet Sue top, which my grandmother pieced in the depression. It was a great act of love, as she did not live much longer, after it was completed. I have one other top, that she pieced, to quilt down. I haven't start it yet, as there are some pieces that need to be repaired, prior to quilting and I am not sure how to go about it.
ReplyDeleteI think you should quilt it down and use it for a table runner or throw. You could always make it into a wall hanging. Just think of the conversation starter or even better the book that could come from another person finding a quilt and learning the history of it.
Sunbonnett Sue is one of my favorites! I recently hand-quilted a simple panel that I'd had for years. In fact, it was in the same closet as this piece.
DeleteWhat a beautiful find! I would finish it in a heartbeat. And how neat your father purchased it, probably with you in mind. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I could quilt I would but since I don't have a clue as to what to do I say go ahead and finish it.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt looks to me like a story is waiting to be told. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Janet. I do wonder about the story behind it....
DeleteHow lovely! I think you should quilt it!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com