As I was thinking about how many antique quilts I've rescued or where to start writing about this adventure, I remembered this mid 19th century Princess Feather in the closet. As it turns out, this is the earliest rescue quilt I have documented. It seems like an ambitious first project, but I remember that it was very rewarding to work on.
I found this quilt at a fairgrounds flea market in 1984. As you will see, the applique was in very bad condition. The price was $25. I also remember that the seller wanted to know what I was going to do with it. She said if I was going to cut it up, she wouldn't sell it to me. I said, "I think I can save it..."
The body of the quilt, and the quilting stitches were in tact and the green applique fabric was faded, but still strong in most places. The red fabric had deteriorated, with only shreds of it remaining where the quilting lines held it in place.
I did not remove the red appliques. I traced each piece, one at a time, to make templates, and appliqued over top of the originals. Then I re-quilted, following the original lines, but not quilting through the back, so the maker's stitches are the only ones showing there.
This quilt has been shown several times, as part of my Red & Green collection. Some have asked why it's not finished after all these years. My reply is that it's a better teaching sample unfinished. But, now i wonder...should I continue?
I found this quilt at a fairgrounds flea market in 1984. As you will see, the applique was in very bad condition. The price was $25. I also remember that the seller wanted to know what I was going to do with it. She said if I was going to cut it up, she wouldn't sell it to me. I said, "I think I can save it..."
The body of the quilt, and the quilting stitches were in tact and the green applique fabric was faded, but still strong in most places. The red fabric had deteriorated, with only shreds of it remaining where the quilting lines held it in place.
I did not remove the red appliques. I traced each piece, one at a time, to make templates, and appliqued over top of the originals. Then I re-quilted, following the original lines, but not quilting through the back, so the maker's stitches are the only ones showing there.
This quilt has been shown several times, as part of my Red & Green collection. Some have asked why it's not finished after all these years. My reply is that it's a better teaching sample unfinished. But, now i wonder...should I continue?
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