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Thursday, July 5, 2018

Vintage Pink I

I feel a little guilt over this one, but it's provided much thoughtfulness, some resignation, but also a degree of revisioning, and I think that's all ok. It all started when my buddy Louise/@imfeelincrafty happened upon bags and bags of quilts that had been left on the curb for garbage pick-up. True story. I'll spare you the details, but in short, she shared a few with me, and at first, I really thought I could give this one a new life.



The main problem with it was all the sashing. At one time it had been tied rather than quilted, and everywhere it had been tied, there were now holes.



Also, the binding was totally worn and needed to be replaced.



My original plan was to unpick all the blocks - 30 of them - from the quilt, and resash them and go from there. As I started in, I discovered that rather than batting, the quilt was filled with a flannel blanket. That definitely gave me a smile.



Unfortunately, I encountered a few pretty insurmountable issues. The thread holding the blocks in place was like twine. It was immensely difficult and time-consuming to release the blocks from the quilt top.... like one stitch at a time. And once I did have a few blocks released, their odd shapes and severe fading let me know it would be near impossible to sash them again in a way I'd be pleased with.



Let's just say I re-evaluated and have a whole new plan now. It's not what I had originally hoped for, but it will still let the quilt blocks have a second life, and in this case, I think that's good enough.

See the #garbagequilts hashtag on Instagram if you'd like to see more of Louise's finds.

15 comments:

  1. I think you're brave to try. I can't imagine what you're about to do!

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  2. Survival of history, even without true detail is very important. Very good of you. Looking forward to what spin you put on these blocks.

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  3. I am sure that however you re-purpose them that it will be a great way to honor the maker and keep the blocks being used and enjoyed.

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  4. I recently acquired a bag of "vintage" nine patch blocks, not sewn together but similar issues. I'm mulling them over.... anxious to see what you do with yours

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  5. You have more tenacity and creativity than I do to attempt this salvation! Good luck Debbie!

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  6. Can't wait to see what you are going to do with the blocks! I am sure it will turn out lovely. Wishing you courage with the unpicking!!

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  7. It's so good to save things like this, almost like you are working with the original maker. Also looked on instagram #garbagequilts and love the periwinkle star, now I need to make one.

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  8. What a time-consuming job you have ahead of you, but it is so special that you are giving these blocks a second chance to shine. I always think of the hands that first made those 'at the curb' quilts - my heart overflows!

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  9. I'm very curious about your new plan. It takes dedication to breath new life into something like this! Good luck!

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  10. Whatever you are able to do is admirable, and better than being thrown away as rubbish.

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  11. You are more courageous than I am Debbie ! Good luck with this project!

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  12. What an interesting and challenging project. I think that you are going to be able to reinvent and reimagine these blocks into something new and wonderful.

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  13. You've put the engineering hat on and isn't that what design is all about?
    I'm excited and this isn't even my project.

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  14. Oh, my I cannot let a vintage quilt go...It touches my heart...Even if they are mismatched, I wack away and do improv...I keep thinking of the time and love that went into them...such love...mine and theirs

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  15. Well now I'm so curious as to what you will do with them!

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