Monday, March 2, 2009

SOMETHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

This one-of-a-kind pillow was crafted from a piece of vintage quilt (circa. 1930) in my non-smoking home. Pillow measures approx. 10 and 1/2" by 8 and 1/2" and is filled with new polyester fiberfil (Polyfil brand). Price is $14.00 (includes postage). Please email me for payment options: kadyfour@yahoo.com
Thank goodness I'm finally coming out of this fog of a flu. Today I was so happy to get back to some sewing. I've had this little patch of old quilt sitting in my guest room waiting to be made into something. I don't even remember where I found it, but I finally fashioned it into a little pillow. I backed it with the same black and ecru check homespun you see in the photo. I handstitched a doily and a vintage button to the pillow top and though it's just a simple little pillow, I was glad to have gotten it done today.
I've heard some people offer negative opinions about using old quilts to make other items, but here's my take on it: First, I never cut into a quilt unless it's full of "battlescars" - in other words, it has to be literally falling apart before I'll cut it. Second, I don't think of cutting into a raggedy old quilt as defacing it. I think of it as respecting it enough to make something new from a piece of history that might otherwise be thoughtlessly discarded. I admit I've bought "cutter quilts" only to get them home and decide they're not far enough gone to warrant cutting them. Those are the ones I fold and display in my guest room or cabin.
I respect the handwork and time that goes into making quilts. I think of my Kentucky grandma making scrap quits from discarded clothes. Grandma Sallie wasn't a master quilter, but she did the best she could and made tied quilts (we'd call them coverlets) to keep her family warm. My thoughts also turn to my mother-in-law, who definitely was, in my opinion, a master at quilting. She handstitched all her quilts and my family is blessed to have a few of her offerings. Those are precious to us and even if they were falling apart, I wouldn't cut into them.
Quilts always tell stories and my family and I can pick out pieces from my mother-in-law's quilts that had once been clothes she had also sewn. Spouse's shirts, daughter's little girl dresses, and some of her own garments had been lovingly fashioned from pieces of cloth whose remnants are now preserved in the quilts we cherish. Even the pieces of quilts I glean from the thrift stores have stories to tell. Though I don't know who made them, I still appreciate the loving handwork of the quilters.

4 comments:

Holly Hills Primitives said...

I totally agree with you on using the old cutter quilts. I'm the same way, they have to be really far gone, but it is a way to preserve them into the next item made with love!

Kady said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. I do treasure the old quilt pieces and what better way to preseve them than to make something new out of something that might have been discarded. Thanks...Kady

Angie said...

One of my loves is collecting quilts. But, I am like you....if one has seen better days, I cut them and make them into something I can continue to love. I use quilts as wall-hangings, tablecloths and shower curtains. So,keep making those wonderful new treasures.
Angie

Kady said...

Angie - Quite some years ago I adopted that attitude about using old raggedy quilts after I saw my dear Auntie Mac in Kentucky using one of her handquilted treasures to cover an old car which was stored in a lean-to on her farm. I could not believe it! I asked her about doing that and she said, "oh, that ol' thing?". She didn't think anything of doing that. I was stunned.....Kady