Dave has been spending a lot of time the past several weeks organizing. Once gardening season begins everything else pretty much is put on hold. We have an area in the garage where we put stuff in boxes for me to take to the local thrift store, or the Goodwill truck.
Since I take the stuff there, I go through everything before it leaves the garage. Dave put this comforter out yesterday.
As I do with everything, I inspect it to make sure it’s even thrift shop worthy. I found the edges were a bit tattered so decided that it might go to the local humane society.
Dave has had that comforter for as long as he can remember. He has fond memories as a child including trying to pull out the ties. (If you look close you can see the yellow ties that hold the fabric together.) He also used it in his living room before we married and moved here 13 years ago. To tell you the truth, I never really was that hot on the “cheater” fabric on this comforter.
Anyway, as I was inspecting it I found a torn area, and looked inside. I could not believe what I found. Under that cheater fabric was a perfect quilt!
I ran to Dave and asked him about it. He was a surprised as I was. I cut all of the ties and found this quilt. The binding was a mess so it must have been an old quilt that someone decided covering it would be easier than binding. Otherwise the quilt is in perfect shape.
Whoever tied this comforter did a great job. I’m still working on getting all of the yellow ties off of the quilt. Here it is on our bed.
I mention that it is perfect. Of course, it’s been worn. It’s been washed many, many times as he was growing up. But, there are no holes or tattered fabric which is amazing for the age of this quilt. The only problem was the binding was gone, and replaced with the cheater fabric.
Here is a closeup showing the size of the blocks.
Dave has no idea who made this quilt, or who even tied it. I think it’s from the 30s, or at least the early 40s. I’m still so excited about this find. Not sure what I’ll do with it. I’d like to add to it so we could use it on our bed.
Meanwhile, I completed the March challenge for the Postcard Fabric Art group on Facebook. This month the topic is Medieval Age. This is a panel of Geometric Grisaille from 13th century. The term ‘grisaille’ derives from the French word for grey – gris – and describes the monochrome effect of non-figurative decorative white glass. However, this glass looks like it’s tinted blue. This glass was used during the Middle Ages primarily in churches across Europe. I printed the picture on fabric, stitched black on the “leading,” and watercolor washed the background. I used my “new” vintage Singer to zigzag.
I’ve not yet perfected the zigzag on corners yet, but just need more practice.
Now on to some other sewing and some dyeing. Check out other inspiration at Off The Wall Friday linkup.
Sending you all a big hug, and hoping you are healthy and staying safe during this crisis.
Lynda, What a wonderful surprise! Thank goodness that you checked it before donating it to the humane society. 🙂
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Janice, Thanks! Yes, me too.
What a pleasant surprise.
That’s a real treasure, Lynda! No doubt, the thought behind covering the quilt was to re-use it as the warmth by adding the new layer. We had at least 1 quilt when I was growing up that was created using scraps from old clothing, with a wool blanket as the core, and tied with what I recall resembled crochet yarn. Back in those days, everything got reused if possible to save money. I do hope you can find a good use for it!
What a wonderful surprise. I hope you add to it and use it. That way, you can keep your husband’s childhood memento and add your own memories to it.
Lovely postcard fabric art.
Wow!! Good thing you inspected it like you did.
That is an amazing story! finding a well preserved vintage quilt under the beloved comforter
of your husband? who says there are no miracles!!!!!!
Luann, It sure was!
Judy, It was funny that the only problem with it was the binding. Would have been so much easier just to add a new binding! But it was a good idea and they had no idea how it would preserve the quilt and also surprise the owner! I would like to add a border – well, more than a border – so it would fit our bed.
KJ, I sure hope to add to it. Thanks for dropping by.
Kathleen, I am so glad I inspected it!! Thanks for dropping by.
Paulette, Yes!!!