But, oh so incredibly LOVED! I thought I'd share some more pictures of this old quilt that I got from Goodwill a little over a year ago. You can see it here on our back porch. I think the combination of fabric selections that the creator of this gem made are simply charming. I could get lost in the sweet patterns all day. How did this precious token of love and patience ever leave its' family? Although it is quite tattered and torn, at least this lovey is back in a home, where it belongs, safe and sound.
My great aunt made our lovely torn and overused quilt -- and I believe she created it to be used (not preserved and admired as we have been admonished over not doing). Like yours, the piece is incomparably beautiful. I believe these worn quilts show us that everything gets old -- and we can still love things even if they aren't pristine or perfect.
You have a gift of seeing perfection in the imperfect, making what others might disregard precious. This is a beautiful blog!
Posted by: Alexandra | January 30, 2007 at 09:08 AM
I love your vintage quilt. It reminds me of my grandmother, who was always working on a quilt using whatever scraps of material she could find.
Posted by: Tammy518 | January 30, 2007 at 09:27 AM
What a treasure! The work that went into these old quilts is just incredible. Glad you rescued it and are giving it a home again!
Posted by: paintergal | January 30, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Gorgeous! The fact that it shows how much it has been used and loved is the best part. Those colors are incredible, all my favorites!
Posted by: jenny b harris | January 30, 2007 at 09:57 AM
What history.. Do you ever sit and wonder were its been and whom it comforted. Beauty!
Posted by: ktdids.blogspot.com | January 30, 2007 at 10:00 AM
In my opinion there's nothing worse than a quilt that isn't used. I love yours and I love looking at all the different fabrics in old quilts. You have a treasure.
Posted by: Chris | January 30, 2007 at 10:19 AM
This reminds me of the "crazy quilts" that were made by my great-grandmother. So called because they didn't follow a pattern, just used whatever fabric was around.
Love the colors of yours.
Posted by: Kim | January 30, 2007 at 10:24 AM
How fortunate that this quilt has found rest at your home. Not only does it look as if it was made for you...the tears and thread pulls are the wrinkles of time. Like an elderly womans face, each crease and line tells a story. As always, thank you for sharing these pieces of your life.
Posted by: Dorothy | January 30, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Lots of those fabrics look like old feed sack material. I wonder how old the quilt really is? My grandmother from Mississippi made one very similar to yours many years ago -- around the 1920's maybe? You do have a knack for putting things together so beautifully - such a warm, homey touch. I enjoy decorating like that, too. Keep up the enjoyable work on your blog! Love it!
Posted by: Sharon | January 30, 2007 at 11:36 AM
This is lovely. I have a real fondness for old quilts and always pick up the old tattered ones at the Goodwill when I find them. They remind me of my grandmother and her sisters, who all quilted. I have wonderful memories of them sitting around her quilting frame, talking and laughing together for hours.
This one is all the more charming for the faded fabric.
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | January 30, 2007 at 11:39 AM
**sigh**
I LOVE old quilts and yours is especially pretty. The red and turquoise....yummy.
Posted by: niki | January 30, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I love your cottage and your quilt.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 30, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Your 'well loved' quite is lovely. I have a few of them, purchased off ebay for almost nothing. I prefer their 'shabby' condition. I also have quilts my great grandmother made, as well as my grandmother in law. Treasures to be sure!
Posted by: Sherry | January 30, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Oh the tales I bet that quilt could tell, a wonderful treasure.
Posted by: carolyn | January 30, 2007 at 12:14 PM
What a lovely, lovely quilt. My mother made gorgeous quilts. All I have left of her, other than a few photos and some memories, are two quilts she made. I'll have to photo and blog them. We're moving soon to the country, and the quilts will look lovely in our new little home. Thanks for sharing!! :0)
Posted by: Betty Jo | January 30, 2007 at 12:40 PM
What a gorgeous quilt! I love the combination of colours. I think it's lovely that you have rescued it and are giving it a good home. It looks like it has a lot of history. I find it amazing that such beautiful treasures can find their way to the Goodwill store. I suppose not everyone can appreciate the beauty of such a lovely piece. Lucky for you it did!
Posted by: Nonnie | January 30, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Hi Kim,
I always ask myself the same question when I come across something really special at the thrift shop (especially when it's something handmade like a quilt)...
Posted by: Beata | January 30, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Look at all of that vintage material!! Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Teresa
xo
Posted by: Teresa Sheeley | January 30, 2007 at 01:13 PM
I am just loving you site. I used your Chocolate Chip cake recipe for my husbands birthday and he raved over it. I adapted it intoa marble cake, but just mixed the two batters, vanilla and chocolate. My mother in law made a lot of these vintage patchwork quilts and we adore ours. Its all-different types of corduroy!
Posted by: The Wine Makers Wife | January 30, 2007 at 01:25 PM
What beautiful fabrics, especially those little florals. How nice to think that something one creates may go on to give comfort and joy to future generations~
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | January 30, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Aah, I have long admired that quilt on your back porch picture. It must have taken a long time to piece it together. I have never made one like that, but I have been tempted to. Quilts are always so special because of the many hours that it takes to make one. Cindy S.
Posted by: Cindy | January 30, 2007 at 02:25 PM
I just love your old quilt...there's just something about how the material feels when it's been softened over the years. I have many quilts that my own dear Gram lovingly made. There's nothing better than snuggling in one of her quilts.
Posted by: annewithane65(Kim) | January 30, 2007 at 02:38 PM
First, I thing of the "hands" that made the quilt. Second, what fabrics hold special meaning to the quilter. Third, where and when was it made and how many "memories" are attached. Of course, I think that about everything old, not just quilts. Whenever I visited my grandmother she was always sewing her scraps of fabric together. Wonderful memories were brought back seeing your old quilt. Thank for you the reminder. Love your old quilt too. I think special people find love in all old things. I am a romantic - can't you tell? LOL
Posted by: Connie | January 30, 2007 at 03:30 PM
hi kim I am a vintage fabricaholic so you can imagine how much i love the fabric's in your quilt
carol
Posted by: carol | January 30, 2007 at 05:14 PM
It ~fits perfectly~ in that sun room..oh yes I agree it has found a home that ~LoVeS~ it!
I shall surely keep my eye open for one of these gems!I am really paying attention teacher. hugs
Posted by: naturegirl | January 30, 2007 at 08:52 PM
Now how I do wish I had that kind of luck when I go to Goodwill! Lovely!
Posted by: Becky | January 30, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Kim,
What a beautiful quilt. I'm lucky enough to have the first quilt my grandmother ever made - in 1890! It quite faded, but I make sure it gets turned, aired and "snuggled" with. I also have a quilt topper my my mother made of mine and my 4 sisters dresses - she actually made 5 of them, one for each of us. One day I'll find someone to finish the quilt for me, but for now I just enjoy looking and remembering.
MimiG
Posted by: MimiG | January 30, 2007 at 10:42 PM
What a sweet and pretty quilt! It has surely found a good and loving home. I have a few cherished quilts...some family made long ago and others I *rescued* as you did.
What treasures you find...and what a wonderful home for this beauty to reside.
I hope your week is going well dear Kim!
Love and hugs,
Sue
Posted by: Sue | January 30, 2007 at 10:46 PM
Absolutely yummy colors...just beautiful!
Posted by: Jill | January 30, 2007 at 11:46 PM
My aunt was a quilter and I know how much love and time goes into creating such beautiful pieces...I love the tatters and tears, a little like most of us...worn out a times but still wanting to be loved...glad it has a home with you. Nel
Posted by: nel | January 31, 2007 at 02:24 AM
What a delightful quilt. I'm glad it's found a home that appreciates it. I would love to know it's history though! Oh...if only quilts could talk!
Posted by: Di | January 31, 2007 at 04:16 AM
Judging by the response to this post it is clear that this is a special quilt. You saw it, you bought it and you took it home and loved it. Your quilt may be tattered and torn but it is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Posted by: Gardengirl | January 31, 2007 at 06:38 AM
Yup! I would have had to purchase that one too:) for me, for the colors and fabrics it's fun to sit and really look at them and the tiny hand stitches imagining the maker or makers of it long ago...that one is perfect for the way you are enjoying it, tossed on that back of a chair* xo
Posted by: berrie | January 31, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Wow! In half a second, this beauty of a quilt took me back to my Granny's porch... eating watermellon... watching her quilt in a manner that is surprisingly similar to what you have here. Aren't they (the quilts and the quilters) - the greatest?
Hi! I just found your blog today. You're a blast to read and lovely to peruse. Thanks for brightening my day!
Brin
www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com
Posted by: Brin | January 31, 2007 at 09:47 AM
Oh, this is so beautiful. What a lucky girl you are!! I just love all the pattern color combinations. I never find those kind of goodies at my Goodwill!
Posted by: cammyk | January 31, 2007 at 12:23 PM
I think its brilliant how all the bits fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
Racheal x
Posted by: Racheal | February 01, 2007 at 05:23 AM
It looks beautiful wherever you put it. Tattered, worn and but loved, and with you, it looks special.
Posted by: The Decorated House | February 01, 2007 at 03:26 PM
WOW, it's gorgeous...I have such a soft spot for old quilts! I have one from my grandmother...I think it was her mother's. What a beautiful treasure, you have an AWESOME Goodwill...tell me, is it in MD by ANY chance?? :)
Posted by: Kari | February 02, 2007 at 07:47 AM