I'm Thankful - A Vintage Treasure

     I bought an antique feedsack quilt top this week for $1.00.  I didn't inspect it before I bought it because for a dollar how could I go wrong.  When I got it home, I discovered some minor condition issues like a few age stains, and I considered tossing it in the trash.  With closer inspection, I noticed that some of the feedsack fabrics were really cool, some of the fabrics were men's hankies, and the piece was hand stitched.  So, I threw it in the wash thinking that maybe I would keep it.

     Once the quilt was clean, I began to take a closer look.  I discovered that the needle artist from long ago patiently stitched together scraps to make the 3" squares.  She sewed together scraps to make scraps  - which become  3" squares - constructed into 9-patches that become the quilt.

Sometimes 5 tiny pieces or more were stitched together before having a 3" square.

     I decided to name the quilt, "I'm Thankful".  I'm thankful that I don't have to hoard itsy-bitsy pieces of fabric from sacks of chicken feed to individually stitch together to have a blanket for my family.  This quilt was starting to get under my skin.  Now, I am thinking about what to do with it. 

Some patches have a very traditional design.

Many of the fabrics have an art deco look.

There are materials that remind me of my Asian fabrics.

The green and ivory pieces are silk.  The blue and white plaid reminds me of boxer shorts!

  

     This 30s quilter was definitely a kindred spirit.  I have a list of possibilities for the quilt.
1.  I could pay someone to quilt it for me as a lap blanket.  When doing hand work, I often use a lap quilt.  I could put this in my new studio.
2.  Next year, I could use it to make porch pillows.
3.  I could embroider and embellish it turning the scrappy quilt into a crazy quilt further avoiding the dysfunctional cat and stupid corners of my unfinished projects.
4.  I could send it to my sister-in-law, Kay.  One of her guild members might like it.
5.  I could put it away for later.
     Yesterday, I looked on ebay to see what old quilts are bringing in online auctions. Little to Nothing.  This quilt top has no monetary value.  But, I think that many will agree that it is priceless. What do you think I should do with it?

Kristi