Wow! Did this week fly by, or what? And I've got so many irons in the fire right now, I was worried I wouldn't have anything to "whoop" about, but then I remembered something I actually finished - so now it's time to get down to it! Think hard and find something of your own to whoop about (even if it isn't a finish!) and join in the fun. Let's get started!
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About a week ago, a friend asked me if I could quilt a top made by her great-grandmother. I love to help turn these beautiful heirlooms into useful quilts, so of course I told her I would look at it and see what I could do.
FYI - not every vintage top can be salvaged. Time and storage conditions can really wreak havoc on fabrics. But she was really lucky, and this quilt top was in great condition!
And here's the finished quilt! Simple patchwork, but striking all the same. The fabrics appear to date from the late 1940's or early 1950's. No feedsack fabrics in this quilt.
There are, however, some true "poverty" blocks - blocks that have been pieced to make use of every scrap of fabric. You can see one in the picture above. With this busy print, though, you really have to look to see the seams!
My friend initially wanted it backed in solid muslin, to remain true to the age of the quilt and the style in which it would have originally been finished. However, we found this great gray chambray in my stash and decided to add a strip of it down the back for a modern touch!
Glamour shot alert! I was so impressed with Wendy (Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life) and her beautiful piano glamour shot, and then I realized I had an upright piano at my house too! Fortunately only temporarily, until my daughter's new house is completed - but it sits in my entryway and was getting some beautiful light this morning - so on the piano this quilt went!
And here's a close-up so you can see these beautiful fabrics a little better! It was an honor to be able to bring this vintage beauty "out into the light" - do you feel that way about old quilts too?
So - - - can I get a whoop whoop?
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And now it's your turn!
What's got you whooping it up this week?
What's making you do a little happy dance?
Share! We want to dance right along with you,
And it's always more fun to dance with friends!
The party will stay open until Sunday midnight.
Hope to see you there!
Hugs!
Sarah
Great vintage rescue - I am sure it will be very treasured. I always love to see which happy dance clip you will share next. This dog is hilarious. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletePersonally, this "dog dance" could turn me off permanently from your blog---and I actually don't like any of the "whoop-whoop" dances. Just me, I do love you though
ReplyDeleteThe vintage quilt piano shot looks really cool. The quilt is lovely. I never know how to finish quilting those vintage tops...by hand or knot and tie or just longarm and be done. That's why, I think, a lot of them still exist.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure! So glad you were able to help her finish it up. Love the piano shots. I might have to do some of those in the future. I have an upright also.
ReplyDeleteThat quilt turned out beautifully!
ReplyDeleteGlad I was inspiration for you! That shot of mine was because I couldn't get the light to cooperate, and then I tucked it on the piano and it worked! Your photo is very cool, the colors of the quilt and the piano go together so well. (Your whoop whoop dances crack me up -- I look forward to seeing them!)
ReplyDeleteIt is just beautiful!!! This will be treasured :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful treasure! That piano shot is gorgeous, maybe I shouldn't get rid of the piano sitting in my garage...
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great! Yeah, I've been known to piece a block like that to use the last bit of a fabric...
ReplyDeleteWhoop whoop! Congrats on giving this beauty a second life!!!
ReplyDeleteReally good job on that antique quilt, and so good of you to give it new life!
ReplyDeleteYou know me....I LOVE giving life to old quilts! Great job!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Is that a Baldwin about 1920's date? I have the same piano!! It was a wedding gift to my Grandmother from her parents. It was the expo piano at the expo in St Louis one year.
ReplyDeleteI love to see old vintage tops saved! How neat that this one was in good shape to quilt. Beautiful glamour shot.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone, that's a lucky vintage quilt top. Very pretty to begin with and you did it beautiful justice. I'm sure you've been asked a million times, but really, where do you find these crazy dance video? They are too funny.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a honor for you to be able to create this heirloom! I'm so happy that the fabrics were in great shape! You did an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteThat is so special. She will surely treasure it. I love it when an old quilt can be restored, or in this case, completed. Fun photo shoot, too!
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