Generational Quilting

Generous Ellen sold me this feed sack top...a few years back.

 I had planned to quilt it in the era from which it came....

However, I have learned my lesson

from my red and white Puss in the Corner Quilt

  

There are some pieces of seersucker in this feedsack quilt...at first I thought ..

.well, that cannot be from this time...

Alas...it can...Wikipedia Seersucker

My lesson comes from:

This red and white Puss in the Corner quilt below originating from Boone, NC,
 said the dealer from whom I purchased it

for $15...perfect condition, about 7 years ago.

In order to pay it the honor due, I carefully chose a reproduction backing from around the turn of the 20th century

My friends tied it for me on a Wednesday night because hand quilting is mine no longer.

Everyone loved this quilt...batted with wool...both top and backing so soft and nice.

In short order, the quilt top all fell apart.

Three children , two old grandparents, 2 cats and one dog.

Now, you can see above almost in shreds.

It has been patched with most any red spare block I could find.

So much for preserving a pristine antique.

At my age, I want to use what I have.

Another lesson learned is future generations and even now...folks have

different ideas on what is valuable.

Therefore, my feed sack quilt is backed with flannel, batted with wool

and machine quilted with the serpentine stitch over the seams as Jean

suggested.  Although this quilt probably has 40 years on the red and white Puss in the Corner,

We are still looking at fabric and hand piecing almost 80 years old.

The above generational quilt from my collection is shown here on 

my daughter's bed, in Portland.

I bought it in Oklahoma City about 30 years ago for $85.

Again, turn of the 20th century fabric, mostly, but who knows. 

It is tied with what looks like postal string...and backed with some

random purple plaid..from much later.
Looks like the batting is some netting, maybe the last of an old blanket as this quilt is quite heavy.

I love this quilt..So many fabrics..a few rips and tears..

A great example of a generational quilt.

I have given it to my next generation, my daughter.

PS  Speaking of antique...Google now says that 65% of Americans live to 70