Ideas for Old Quilts

I wanted to share a couple of ideas for using old quilts in different ways. The items pictured below were made by my mom, but the quilts were made by my great grandmother. I received these items as Christmas presents a couple of years ago and have truly cherished them. First, because the quilts used to make them were family heirlooms, and second, because my mom made them into what they are now.

The quilts were found in my grandfather’s home after he passed away. If you can believe it there were two double wedding ring quilts in between his worn out mattress and box springs to prevent the broken springs from poking into the mattress. They were in pretty bad shape, so my mom decided to make pillows and bears with the pieces she could salvage. Isn’t the bear just too cute?

She also took apart a Sunbonnet Sue quilt that was in bad shape in several spots and framed several of the good blocks and gave them to various family members. My daughter and I each received one. All of the Sunbonnet Sue’s were different colors, and I just think they are so sweet and simple.

I love looking at the intricate hand quilting on these pieces, and like to think about what clothing items the fabrics might have come from. Were there pieces of my grandma’s dresses in there? Did several women get together to quilt or did my great grandma do all the quilting herself? She passed away not long before my dad was born, so there is no way to really know.

I often think I wouldn’t have the patience for hand quilting, but maybe it is something I should try someday. I think that progress is all fine and good, but the thought of what was talked about and learned during the old quilting bees makes me nostalgic for the “simpler times”.

  • Michelle {Chel}

    These are beautiful. I love old things. I am planning to make a quilt with my daughters dresses that I have sewn and other clothes she has worn.

  • Ariel

    these are beautiful! I love the pillow especially…I'll bet they are so soft :) What treasures.

  • Kelly

    What awesome ideas!

  • Jackie

    Thanks for your comments, ladies. I have a talented mother and obviously had a talented great grandmother.

    Michelle, your quilt sounds neat and will definitely become an heirloom for your daughter.