TREASURE

What a treasure. I came by a GFG made, judging by the fabric, in late 30s or early 40s. It was given to my by my not so DMIL who continually reminded me that it cost her $100. (She always attached the monetary value to everything and everyone. Consequently her grandchildren couldn't love her when they had so much love to give.) I didn't know what a treasure it was until over the years I learned so much more about antique fabrics etc. Consequently I didn't treat it properly so now it needs some repair. I've been advised to applique hexes over the ones that have given way to the sun damage and years of neglect. Even though it's in poor condition it has been appraised at over $500. The only reason that matters to me is that the donor is probably rolling over in her grave which gives me some pleasure.

My other antique is a log cabin I bought at an antique show. It was never finished and the fabrics (a lot of suiting and velvet) were sewn on a now rotting muslin with very large sloppy stitches, I assume by a child or very old (to wit: older than I am) quilter. I've been advised to use duck or some very strong backing and stitch the logs very subtley at the corners to the duck. The quilt is so heavy that muslin just won't be able to hold it. I bought it because I loved it and that, too, is on my list of quilty things to do.

You've inspired me. Thanks for your post.

Jane in NC

A "new" "old" mini-quilt

Last summer I acquired an antique log cabin quilt (which I thereafter named "trashy log cabin quilt" due to its exceedingly poor condition!


After managing to salvage small strips of fabric I put together a mini quilt to commemorate the original. The rest of the Q went into the trash! It was simply unsalvagable. The backing was rotted. Fabrics were filthy, even after three washings.


This week I basted, quilted, and finished a narrow binding from some antique fabric I had on hand.


The fabs are circa 1900-1910. The yellow I'm certain is earlier. Even though they are faded, I love this mini antique quilt.


And I love how the afternoon winter sun comes into my living room.


The quilt is pinned to the wall over the Singer treadle in its oak parlor cabinet.


In case you've never "pinned" a quilt to the wall...I often use short silk pins to tack a small quilt to the sheetrock wall. A pair of needle-nose pliers works well in pressing the pins through the fabric and into the sheetrock. This won't work on hard plaster walls, so don't even try! lol. If I decide later to remove the quilt, the tiny pin holes are almost unnoticeable.

Don't forget to click on the photos for a close-up view.

NORTH CAROLINA QUILT SYMPOSIUM 2012

It's time to sign up! At www.smokymtnquilters.org you will see the link to the 2012 Symposium. At that site are all the details. Entry details for entries to the quilt show which will be celebrating the guild's 30th anniversary and a long list of classes are there. They symposium will welcome entries and students from anywhere and we are hoping for a huge showing from all over the country/world if possible.

Western Carolina University, the site of the symposium is quite close to my home in Cullowhee, NC. It as worth the trip just to see the beautiful country side just about 35 miles south of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I hope many of you BBers will give this some serious consideration.

Jane in beautiful Smokies.