Being in the Machine Quilting Business has given me many opportunities to deal with Vintage Quilt Tops and their owners, who often have their grandmothers tops or they have purchased them at estate sales and antique shops. There are many of us who love the 1930's to 1960's quilts and fabrics, and some of us who specialize in making them a finished quilt.
So, if you have a Vintage Quilt Top and are wondering how it should be finished or if it should be finished, here are a few guidelines to consider.
1...Are the fabrics in good enough condition that they can be gently tugged on without tearing. Many old tops that have been stored in cedar chests or plastic will rot and stain due to the chemicals released by the wood and polyurethane.
2...Are the fabrics mostly cotton. Many old tops will have a variety of fabrics besides cotton...ie..silk, linen, denim, etc. that have a tendency to ravel away at the seam or deteriorate from age or strong dye processes. Red, black and indigo are the ones to watch for rot and dye run.
3...Are the seams and stitching secure enough for mounting on the machine. Gentle tugging without coming apart, and the top lays relatively flat. Piecing that has puckers and puffs will result in overlaps and tucks.
4...Does the quality of the Piecing (craftsmanship) and the Pattern...ie..Applique or Intricate Piecing Design vs Scrap Pattern...merit HandQuilting vs Machine Quilting.
5...Does the top merit the expense of finishing either for sentimental or other reasons, and what kind of use is planned for the top once it is quilted.
Many Vintage Tops loose value when they are machine quilted. This depends on meeting the 1-5 criteria and the historical significance of the top. Let's say for the purpose of getting on with the Machine Quilting that your Top is much like the 1930's String Quilt pictured here. It meets the requirements for Machine Quilting. It was purchased at an estate sale, is hand pieced in a very scrappy string pattern, is relatively flat and square. It's ready to be Machine Quilted.
Here's a Clothes Line of a few of Vintage Tops that have been machine quilted. The Two Flower Garden Quilts started out as One Top and the Star Quilt was individual blocks that I put together with recycled feedsacks. The next quilt was pieced with useable leftovers. The last quilt was a full size double wedding ring top that I cut in half and made two smaller quilts.
If you are interested in the next steps for machine quilting a vintage top you are welcome to step Into The Storage Closet for the rest of the
Machine Quiting Tutorial #1.
There's a Link there to see and meet
"QuiltALotty"...my LongArm Quilting Machine. If you've never seen one, here's your opportunity.
Thanks to our
Vintage Thingie Thursday hostess Suzanne at ColoradoLady. Let's go see what Vintage Goodies everyone is showing this nearly Valentines Day Thursday!
I hope you have enjoyed seeing a few of my Vintage Quilts and have been encouraged to finish that 1930's quilt top you found at an estate sale.
Thanks for Coming and Commenting!!
