On one of my recent junking jaunts, I found this vintage quilt featuring one of my favorite themes - little birds. Each bird is appliqued onto the quilt with a potted flowering plant in a cache pot. The black stitching sets off each element in the sweetest way.I couldn't believe my good fortune in finding this gorgeous vintage quilt in a flea market book with a $35.00 price tag. Can you believe it?
Now, what to do with this tattered quilt. I am pondering cutting the quilt apart and making large throw pillows, but as usual I hesitate....should I cut the quilt up or just do repairs? What do you think about this, my friends? The quilt is large enough for a full size bed. It also has a red stain on one of the panels...
I am sure that you will agree that holding a vintage quilt in your hands softened by many too many washings to count over the years is something really special. So precious...so many hours of love went into the making of this quilt. I am sure the maker was very pleased with her handiwork and lovingly placed this quilt on her child's bed.
This is an example of the wear on some of the panels, but it seems to add to its charm, don't you think? How would you recommend mending this panel?
Look at the stitched feet of the birds - as they perch on the potted plant...charming.
Sweet little bluebird, who's bed did you warm on those cold Winter nights? Did you bring the dreamer visions of lovely birds in flight? Did you feel warm and snuggly tucked beneath this lovely quilt made with so much love for your bed?
Let me know what you think about this tattered quilt....
14 comments:
Did you get that for $35? I would say that IS a steal. It's adorable.
I wouldn't cut it up. Do you have a wall large enough to display it? I think its tatters are cute, and I love the bird theme. It's the glory of the imperfect when it comes to things like a little tattering.
Thinking outside the box, if you did decided to cut it, I would think about upholstering a loveseat in it, or even a daybed. See how one things leads to another??? ;-) It would be cute covering the mattress of a little antique daybed, and then you could pile it with wonderful things. Now, that little thrifty quilt is growing in price, but it helps the economy! :-)
Suffice it to say, I love it, and I can envision lots of creative uses for it. Great find!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! I'm so thankful to have met you through blogging.
XO,
Sheila :-)
How sweet this quilt is , I would have grapped it emmidiatly, too.
Here in DK, it is very seldom ,to find quilts--new or olds-- so it would have been a more than fantastic find here.
Congratulations dear, with it.
Hugs, Dorthe
Sheila - those are wonderful ideas, now the wheels are really starting to turn... thank you for the suggestions - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours - and I am glad to have met you here too! xo Julie
what a sweet find!!! i would leave it alone for a while and see if you still have the urge to cut it up...i think the pillow sound like a lovely idea!!!
Oh Julie, it's beautiful!!! You can tell it was well-loved and that always makes something more precious ~ xxoo, Dawn
It is really lovely with those whimsical little birds. I think I would be hesitant to cut it apart too. The "shabbiness" just adds to its charm.
Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving!
What a sweet find. I like Sheila's idea of using it as a wall hanging and Lori's suggestion of sitting with it for a while.
What a sweet and cute old quilt! :-)
I don't know what I would have done with it. I have the same "problem" with and old note book of mine from 1885. I would like to put a frame on some of the pages, but it also feels terrible to tear them out!
Hugs
Beatrice
I think everyone had good ideas. I like the idea of framing it/hanging it. It probably would look amazing at he farm house. But, I can see cutting it and transforming it into pillows or a big sham. It sounds like its pretty salvageable, though. Here in Amish country, we have lots of quilts, and big prices too. I have an applique one that I bought on impulse and have never used... signed and everything.
Lee - You are right, one of the most difficult things to do is to "live" with art or things you love. My instinct is to preserve the item for future generations by storing it, but if you focus on preservation, you don't enjoy the item - like a quilt. I hesitate to put the quilt on dispay - what if it gets torn, stained, or damaged? Then I remind myself that life is too short to not enjoy and live with art. So, on the bed it goes, putting it in harms way of pets, kids and everyday wear. Maybe the wear will add to the charm...
I'd like to see a photo of a larger section of the quilt, just to get the full effect.
What a fabulous find Julie! I would have gravitated to it too ~ all those sweet little birds ♥
Jiulie, thank, your work is very beautifull, tou are a macic artist!!! Smack!!!
Jiulie, thank, your work is very beautifull, tou are a macic artist!!! Smack!!!
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