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| 59" x 66" left side points already removed! |
Well, I've done it again. I was out on a "Search and Rescue" mission with my gal pals recently. This sweet Lone Star quilt caught my eye. I turned it every which way but I didn't see a price.
"Would you like me to bring that up front for you?" said the nice man trolling the antique store. They do that to make it easier for you to continue to shop as you accumulate interesting objects that you don't really need. (and deter shop-lifting, I'm sure)
(So you know I bought it or I wouldn't have the picture or be attempting to justify the purchase.)
The full shot doesn't reflect the colors well. Here's a close up for a better idea.
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| overall pastel feel c. 1920 |
There was quite a bit of damage on all four sides. I told him I wasn't at all sure I wanted it, but he said it would need to be priced in any case. He said he'd try to reach the seller and have it up front.
When I returned to the front desk they had a price on it. $20. How could I not?
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| Trusty Clover Ripper |
That very evening out came my ripper . . .
This photo is an attempt to show all four edges up close prior to ripping. You can barely see the pink binding at the right edge.
The sizes vary greatly and they've faded in varying degrees, some completely white, from their original pink, probably indicating which side of the bed was closest to the window.
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| frayed binding |
A few days later I had removed all the points and binding.
I love that this quilt is machine quilted. Women used the machine to quilt their quilts as soon as machines became available. Women took pride in owning a machine and wanted to show it off. I've seen examples from the late 1800's are even done in contrasting thread perhaps to be sure it is noticed.
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| wavy grid edge to edge |
This one is done in a wavy grid. Lack of precision indicates hand guided which I find so much more interesting that the precise, automated look of some "perfect" long-arm examples of today.
I originally thought I would just trim up the edges and re-bind, maybe with a vintage tiny pink check in my stash. But it does look cute with points...doesn't it? I may reconsider. Points on just two sides makes it 'different' - a bit more fun I think.
Do you wonder why she did that? The extra time it took? Wanting the sides to be featured. Why did she use different colored binding? Did she really not have enough? Or did she want to indicate top and bottom and rotate for even wear? Perhaps she was just a creative spirit.
Why do I love studying and rescuing old quilts almost more than making new quilts with new fabric? I just do!
Please leave a comment (I need to know you're out there) and check back soon to see how I decide to finish the edges. Also, I'll be updating you on my Brick series project with #8 very soon.
