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Making Quilts With Vintage & Antique Fabric

Posted on March 12, 2011May 6, 2012 by Martha

Sometimes I ask myself why I am obsessed with using old fabric in my quilts — like today, for instance. I mean, my local quilt store stocks tons of reproduction fabrics at reasonable prices, while authentic vintage and antique fabrics are often expensive, scarce, dirty and fragile, with the occasional nasty odors and stains. They are usually found online where photos and descriptions can be deceptive, and one must bid against strangers who are similarly obsessed (I wonder who these people are…quilters, collectors, hoarders?).

Putting together the required pieces for a quilt takes a long time. There is much unpicking of old blocks and tops, followed by soaking, starching and pressing. Then you need to find enough scraps of a suitable print, which often requires either substituting a different fabric when there’s not quite enough, or stitching two or more scraps together to make a big enough piece. Of course, all the quilt block pieces must be individually traced with a template and cut with scissors — placement on the grain is often not possible if the scrap size is skimpy.

The whole process is sometimes frustrating, but it is also absolutely wonderful, because. . .

Old fabrics have this great feel to them. With the exception of feedsacks, they are mostly thinner than modern fabrics, more tightly woven and very smooth. They look different — the colors are slightly less bright and saturated than new fabrics. Although some of the designs can be downright ugly, I love them all, and when I’m using them in a quilt, I feel a connection to history and the quilters who cut the pieces or made the blocks and tops that I eventually (hopefully) make into a finished quilt.

What happened today, you might ask, to make me ponder my obsession with old fabric. Well. . . I just finished cutting all of the pieces for the wonderful Midnight Stars Doll Quiltalong sponsored by Lori at Humble Quilts — the one that was over weeks ago. In my defense, there are a lot of pieces in this block (33), my quilt is going to be quite a bit larger (30 pieced blocks instead of 9 — more of a crib size), and then there’s all that stuff I mentioned above.

If you check out the completed blocks in this photo, you can see that I am occasionally able to find enough scraps to make all the similarly colored pieces the same.

When I can’t manage this, I try to cut an even number of each print, hoping to make the block symmetrical. Sometimes this is not possible and I have to make compromises, as you can see below in the shirtings for two of the blocks.

Lori, I’m going to be a little late with my quilt, but I wanted you to know that I haven’t given up!

12 thoughts on “Making Quilts With Vintage & Antique Fabric”

  1. Angie says:
    March 12, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    Fabulous Martha! I love vintage fabrics also…you make it look so easy! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Allie says:
    March 12, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    You have a lot more patience than I do Martha – but I’m glad you’re saving these gorgeous old fabrics!

    Reply
  3. Jan says:
    March 12, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    I really admire your ability to pull together fabrics and colors of vintage fabrics! This will be a lovely quilt!

    Reply
  4. Nicky says:
    March 13, 2011 at 1:04 am

    I am wondering what historians of the future will make of your quilts – will they be confused or just amazed at your dedication?

    I think your quilt will be worth waiting for….we are all too obsessed with getting things done quickly but there is a lot to be said for enjoying the process. After all if it is worth doing it is worth doing well…

    Nicky

    Reply
  5. mickie says:
    March 13, 2011 at 5:30 am

    I find you inspiring Martha. I think I will write about you on my blog.
    Hugs, Mickie

    Reply
  6. Karen Beigh says:
    March 13, 2011 at 5:56 am

    Wonderful old fabrics. I enjoyed reading your post. It helps me understand your passion for the old fabrics.

    Reply
  7. nancysparrow says:
    March 13, 2011 at 9:53 am

    As one who just finished a quilt made from very old fabrics salvaged from an rescued Ebay top I related very much to this post…I too find old fabrics fascinating..I love how weathered some pieces feel, others I wonder at their history. I too have gone through the whole unpicking, soaking, reimaging process of making a new work of art out of old and sometimes fragile materials. I always enjoy your thoughts on this wonderful art form.

    Reply
  8. LoriD says:
    March 13, 2011 at 9:58 am

    Your quilt is going to be wonderful Martha. The little bits of pink in there is going to be perfect!! Thanks for posting this today. I love working with old fabric too and it made me smile.

    Reply
  9. Ann Champion says:
    March 13, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    You’re right..there is something special about working with vintage fabrics. The repros available are wonderful for capturing a certain look, but they just aren’t exactly the same as the originals. I understand your wanting to save and use the originals. It takes a lot more work, but what a feeling of satisfaction you get when you’ve finished creating your quilt! I know some people don’t understand that..and that’s a good thing. They’d be compitition when it comes to aquiring them. 😉
    I love your little blocks! You’re doing a wonderful job on the piecing. You make it all look so easy too!

    Reply
  10. Mom Wald says:
    March 13, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    It is not just the destination, it is the journey. Your mind is busy with your fabric when you are working with it, instead of being preoccupied with worries. This is good for you, and it is cheaper than therapy.

    Reply
  11. viridian says:
    March 19, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    I love your old fabrics. I bid on ebay on feedsacks and fabric from the 30’s and 40’s, to use in my quilts. So hopefully I am not bidding against you.

    Reply
  12. Donna Keefe says:
    July 26, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    I just found this post after search for “quilting with vintage fabrics” and if I were a puppy my tail would be wagging! I have been addicted to fabric all of my life and it just occurred to me to start collecting vintage pieces to make an age appropriate quilt for my ’30’s Tudor. I’ve bought some scraps on eBay and have been both delighted and disappointed but now I am on to buying blocks! Some are adorable and some are ugly and many if not all need to be reworked. I am HOOKED! Thanks for the encouragement and I’d love to see more of your work.

    Reply

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