I’ve had a series of busy weekends lately. Sunday found Mom and I visiting some family friends, people I thought of as my second family when I was growing up. Just before we left, Mary took us upstairs to show the changes they’d made to the house and I spotted a quilt on a rack behind a bed. She pulled it out and told us it was about 100 years old. At first glance, I never would have guessed it was that old. The fabrics were vibrant and the color choices are in keeping with today’s popular choices.
When you get closer, you can see that some of the fabrics have disintegrated, probably because the dyes were caustic.
The quilting was done by hand, and the stitches are tiny and incredibly even.
Mary pulled out another quilt to show us, a signature quilt that was made for her grandmother. Again, the fabrics are vibrant and current…
…and then you see that the blocks are dated 1907 – 1909!
She also showed us a WIP that is about 75 years old. Her mother pieced it when she was just 16 years old! This Grandmother’s Flower Garden was hand pieced in traditional 30’s fabrics, probably from feedsacks.
In addition to the portion of the top that is assembled, there are a couple dozen completed blocks and some green yardage. She always wanted to finish it, but never found the time.
Piecemeal Quilts 
Wow! What beautiful treasures! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
Gorgeous quilts!
What wonderful old quilts! I love the blue and white one..bet there are some signatures on that!
The quilts have been well cared for over the years to still have such nice color. I am glad you had your camera to take photos.
I love them all. The first one made me gasp! You should make a pattern for it! Do you know the block’s name?
beautiful!! that first quilt is stunning.
Gorgeous quilts! Did I glimpse the wheels in your head turning with ideas?? Did you offer to finish the Garden Flower quilt!!
Amazing quilts and quilting. Keeps reminding me I need to make labels, something I always forget to do
So beautiful – and in many ways, so modern! Everything old is new again!
And I’m reminded again about all the things I have in progress; I must do some finishing before I start another project!