Treasured Quilts Notes

Photograph by George Pickow, 1950s

The quilts

Home made quilts were pieced together for many different reasons and in widely different circumstances. From simple quilts which were made to be purely utilitarian, designed and quickly constructed for warmth, pieced together out of whatever was available from the 'scraps bag' or they may have been made out of new, fine materials to add to a wedding trousseau, perhaps quilted as part of a social circle involving a 'quilting bee', whatever the circumstances of construction, most would have been kept as a family heirloom to be treasured and passed on for generations to come.

Quilt tops

I also list patchwork quilt tops - this is the quilt top only, usually unhemmed, ready for you to use as a decorative patchwork piece, or to make into a quilt yourself. These provide an ideal opportunity if you wish to have a go at quilting and choose your own batting and backing material. They can also be re-used for many other items, please see my suggestions paragraph further down the page.

Quilt condition

The quilts list vary from very worn indeed, some will be in a 'cutter' condition, (that is, gone beyond repair but still good for cutting and using for other craftwork), up to very good condition.

Most will have been carefully hand-washed and dried flat in the shade. I state in each description whether the quilt has been recently washed or not.

As with all vintage items, please do not expect a factory fresh 'as new' appearance. These quilts will have had a long life and most will have signs of use to varying degrees. I try to describe all quilts in detail. There are different schools of thought with regard to antique quilts, some believe they should be left, with all their signs of wear, to keep the quilt in an 'as found' condition, to preserve their historical heritage. Others are quite happy to wash, mend and renovate in any way to bring the quilt back to a useable state.

The ages placed in the description of each quilt are estimates, based on my knowledge of the fabrics – dyes, print, style, and quilt history that may have been passed on. I am happy to hear your comments on any quilt!

Photography by Marina Loram

Uses for quilts

The obvious is warmth and decoration on the bed!
To instantly change the look of a room, just swop quilts, the bed cover is such a large area in the bedroom it makes a big impact on the overall look of the room.

Other not so obvious uses can be:

As a curtain, if the quilt has a thin batting, it can be hung by curtain clips on a pole rack.
A fabulous wall-hanging, attach a 'hanging sleeve' and you have a work of art!
Tablecloth – for thin quilts or 'quilt tops' – use as an ornamental tablecloth on a side table, or can be used everyday if protected by a clear plastic tablecloth (available per metre from haberdashery departments).
A cover for a trunk or box ottoman.
As a throw to be kept over one end of a sofa to use when you are curled up with a good book and the evening is chilly.
On display on a rack in the bedroom.
Folded and displayed with other quilts or linens in an open shelf, cupboard, or armoire.
An investment – if carefully looked after can be passed on down through your family.

Photographs and interior design by Louise Oswald

Uses for cutter quilts

A picnic rug!
Cut up and make some simple cushion covers.
Re-cover the upholstery on your wooden chairs seat pads.
Dressing table mats.
Place mats for the dining table.
Cosmetic or toiletry bags.
Make a teddy bear.
Tote bags.
Frame a section and hang in a simple frame on your walls. A set looks very effective.
Make some simple Christmas stockings.
Cut stars, hearts etc. and use in your craftwork, e.g. birthday cards.
Make some simple stuffed heart shapes with a ribbon hanging loop to hang on backs of doors, chest of drawers handles etc.
Re-cover garden or conservatory furniture.
Hot water bottle covers.
Oven gloves!

Photograph and craft items by Barbara Pankhurst

Feedsacks You will often see the term 'feedsack' material in American vintage patchwork quilt descriptions. During the late 1800's staple goods such as flour, sugar, meal, grains, salt and animal feeds were sold in plain white cotton sacks, with the mill or manufacturers name and logo on. Housewives soon realised they could re-use these, and made basic household items with them, often home dying or bleaching them to try and cover the company details on them. Manufacturers then started to market these sacks in coloured prints and plain colours to encourage housewives to buy their brand, knowing that a few feedsacks would be bought from the same material if the housewife was going to make a dress, or quilt etc. By the late 1930's there was great competition between companies to produce the best coloured prints, employing artists to design them. About 1925 onwards, the sacks were labelled with sticky labels, instead of the labelling being printed directly onto the material. Feedsacks were marketed and re-used up until the 1950's, after which time heavy duty paper and plastic packaging became more economical to produce. As time passes, these quilts are becoming more scarce, and more of a collectors item! The photos show four quilts. Three have feedsack backings, the floral print was used in a quilt top.

	Click on an image to enlarge

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