I've fallen in love
By foxyfire33
@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
July 17, 2008 8:54pm CST
...with crazy quilts! Not just any kind, but real antique turn of the century ones...you know, the 20th century. I can't afford the really nice ones but I've gotten a few good deals on "cutters". (cutter quilts are the ones that aren't in great shape, they could be fixed but most prefer to cut them for other projects). I haven't spent over $10 for one yet!
The first one I got is in usable condition. The kids call it their magic carpet LOL. We have a deal...if they clean up all their toys and run the mini-vacuum over the carpet, they can sit and play on the magic carpet. They've only lost priveleges once for rough housing on it.
Another one I have is just the top layer (no batting or backing) but it's done completely in silk and is dated April 12, 1916! The silk is in pretty bad shape so it's a "look don't touch" only. It' so pretty though.
The last one I got...we that was a steal in my opinion. It's in really nice shape fabric wise. There is one spot that looks like something got spilled on it but it almost just looks like that piece of fabric was supposed to look like that. The really cool part is that it has 1905 embroidered on one of the patches! I know it doesn't necessarily mean anything...I could make one today and slap 1905 on it and it wouldn't make it a true antique...but I like to believe it's authentic and was just well taken care of.
So my discussion here was to share all of that but also to ask for suggestions on where I might find old quilts for cheap. My mylot money is only going so far and I'd like to keep adding to my collection but can't just keep buying off ebay everytime I get paid from here.
5 people like this
7 responses
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
18 Jul 08
That is really cool to have a hobby like that. And you have an income source for which to increase your collection. SWEET!
I collected salt&pepper shakers for the longest time (yeah a guy I know) but my wife didn't like 'em and so I have stopped... it was kinda fun going on eBay and finding deals that you thought HAD to be too good to be true and I have some really nice pairs (pre-WWII Japanese, German, Dutch, etc...) and then I have some that are just some el-cheapo ones that I just liked.
I am sure the collection isn't worth much but it was the fun in finding them that was the cool part for me and I am sure the same for you with your quilts.
Thanks
Zelo
I collected salt&pepper shakers for the longest time (yeah a guy I know) but my wife didn't like 'em and so I have stopped... it was kinda fun going on eBay and finding deals that you thought HAD to be too good to be true and I have some really nice pairs (pre-WWII Japanese, German, Dutch, etc...) and then I have some that are just some el-cheapo ones that I just liked.
I am sure the collection isn't worth much but it was the fun in finding them that was the cool part for me and I am sure the same for you with your quilts.
Thanks
Zelo3 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
18 Jul 08
LOL...yeah I'm trying to have the income source anyway, I'm about to tap into my birthday fund this month though lol...I found a few I'd really like but I'm out of mylot money til August!
3 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
18 Jul 08
I think that kind of collection is perfect by the way! Collections should be about things you like and not so much about the money. I think it sounds like you have some very interesting shakers and if you enjoyed it, then that's all that should matter.
My 'in-laws' have various collections and I don't understand it. They don't seem to get any enjoyment out of it...they just collect for the sake of adding to what they already have. The can't even display much of it anymore because there is no room so it all just sits in boxes in closets and sheds.
3 people like this
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
18 Jul 08
It never was about the money it was about the hunt! That was the cool thing... the hunt. It was like my own little treasure hunt except I didn't know what the treasure was until I found it... if that makes any sense
.
Every piece has a story behind it and that is the joy that I have found in what I do/did.
Thanks (and may the money be there for you to keep going!!!)
Zelo
.
Every piece has a story behind it and that is the joy that I have found in what I do/did.
Thanks (and may the money be there for you to keep going!!!)
Zelo2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Jul 08
I sometimes find nice, but raggedy linens at a sale held by people who come to town with several horse trailers full of junk, and trash and sometimes treasures. I would look at flea markets, and see if I could find someone who buys out lots from other sales. I also would look at thrift shops. Sometimes you have to very carefully launder them, and press them. Woolite, cold water, lots of rinsing, air dry, warm iron, maybe. Do not store them or hang them in direct contact with wood, like on quilt racks. Pad the wood with old towels or sheets so that the chemicals in the wood will not deteriorate the quilt. Do not leave them always folded the same way, either. They will wear out on the folds. I have done a little reading on this subject. I love your magic carpet story.
3 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
18 Jul 08
I had no idea about the wood quilt racks! It makes perfect sense though, I don't have any right now anyway. My 1916 one is really tricky to deal with because the silks are so fragile....the very thing that made the silks of the time more desirable is also what is making them fall apart now. One other idea I heard about laundering was to use a kiddie pool so it could be at least mostly laid out flat instead of getting bunched up.
It was so cute the minute they saw it they decided it was a magic carpet and they had the rules down the very first night. They can be surprisingly good helpers with the right incentive!
Here's a photo of the silk 1916 quilt top
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
18 Jul 08
i've found them at yard sales and flea markets,but to be honest,i keep going back to ebay.it's almost sad in a way to see so many quilts for so cheap on there,you know how long it took somebody to do it.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
18 Jul 08
I know, it does seem so sad. Even though mine aren't in great shape they still took so much work and $10 or less didn't even seem fair. These were probably showpieces in their day and now people just want to sell them cheap to get rid of them or chop them up for other things. At least I can save a few of these beauties.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Jul 08
hi foxy fire search for amish communities and you will find all sortsof quilts for sale. also flea markets and garage sales'mnight net you some good quilts.also get in touch
with quilting clubs and they will know the ins and outs of
finding old quilts too.
1 person likes this
@capirani (2817)
• United States
18 Jul 08
I would love to learn how to do all the fancy stitching that is involved on the old time crazy quilts. I joined a quilting group once but it was all machine work. I want to learn how to do it all the old fashioned way. But I am not into small pieces. Just too tedius for me. I like sticking to my crocheting.
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
18 Jul 08
LOL...that's why I just buy them! I've always been intrigued by all the pieces and the stitching but I don't have the time or the patience to do it myself. I'll add another photo here to try to show you some of the stitching on one of mine. It's not a close up but it's the only one I have that shows it enough.
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
19 Jul 08
I know! It would have been really neat to actually know their stories. So far the ones I've gotten were estate sale finds by the people I got them from and they weren't concerned with the history.
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6231)
• United States
20 Jul 08
I'm with you there! I love quilts, but crazy quilts are my absolute favorite. I have one that was made back in the turn of the century, and the colors and patterns are so pretty together. Mine is in the 'look but don't touch' category too. I'm so afraid that it's so delicate that it might disintegrate quicker. I keep mine stored in a trunk with blue tissue paper surrounding it. I've read that the blue tissue paper keeps it from fading. Each piece of fabric joining on mine has hand embroidery helping to hold it together. One of my relatives did it so long ago, and it's hand stitched the whole way. (Wish I had that kind of patience! I'm more the sewing machine type quilter lol) I love the pic of the 'magic carpet.' I can see why the kids love it!
Old quilts for cheap? I'd try Salvation Army or Good Will, or any type of second-hand shop. Sometimes I've seen older ones at yard sales when people just said 'ick...old quilt' and didn't realize how much time, effort, and hand sewing went into it. The cheapest I ever got one was at a yard sale for $5 bucks. Good luck! Thanks for sharing your pic!
