GRAND OLD LADY
#1
BIG BERTHA
This Grand old lady is HUGE, King Size at least. She was found in a thrift store beside our local Hobby Lobby. It's difficult for me to pass up a thrift store and this [articular one had been on my radar everytime I shopped at Hobby Lobby (which is OFTEN) The owner is so cool and seems to know every object treasure in his store. I browsed quickly since it was getting late and I don't drive after dark (can't see).
As I was leaving, I made a mental note to come back when I had more time and that's when I spotted Big Bertha...lying in a pile of 2 other quilts...on the floor, tattered, dirty, but I could tell she had good "bones" I immediately took her to the register since with a price tag of $12.99, how could I pass her up? The owner told me he was 78 and he KNEW the quilt was older than him!
Big Bertha came home with me and went directly into the washing machine. Yikes, I can hear some of you purists out there crying in your cornflakes...SHE PUT THAT VINTAGE QUILT IN THE WASHING MACHINE??? IS SHE CRAZY??
The back fabric is old Fertilizer Bags! Every block is made from vintage cotton fabrics
I'm here to tell you unequivocally, I am a CLEAN Freak... no, I didn't say Organize Freak or Neat Freak...I said CLEAN Freak. If something isn't clean, I don't care how priceless the item. With this little idiosyncrasy about me revealed, you Might understand why Big Bertha needed an 80+ yr. old Much Needed BATH!!!
OH MY....BIG BERTHA Loved her bath, no more wear and tear than before, but she smelled wonderful, felt soft and all crinkly like old quilts should, and I could rest easy wrapping up in Bertha while sewing/watching TV.
FAST FORWARD 2 months and Big Bertha has become well loved and a necessary creature comfort here on The Farm. In fact, Tractor Man and I make a run for the old gal every evening before the other one can get to her.
Yep, she truly is a Grand Old Lady....and to think I almost missed her...Oh what a tragedy. I plan to begin repair on the old gal but for now, we're just getting acquainted. I don't want to upset her too much, after all she is VINTAGE....HANDLE WITH CARE.
Here are some pictures of 2 more Grand Old Ladies that live on The Farm.
GRAND OLD LADY #2
Made from the Housecoats of Tractor Man's Grandmother!
Grand Old Lady #3
My mother made these Sun Bonnet Sue Blocks while another precious Quilter did the quilting. She apologized for asking $25 to quilt this quilt.
Sue is a little thin and tattered but Oh So Soft and Cozy!
Do YOU own any Grand Old Ladies? I hope they are receiving the TLC they so richly deserve!
Blessings
Oh yes indeed. It is so nice to see them appreciated and cared for, cleaned and loved. Lucky quilt that you came to the rescue.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt. Churn Dash blocks are my favourite! How large are the blocks and how many of them are there? Fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh wow...great find. I understand about washing...You don't know what has been wrapped up in Big Bertha for the past 80 years! Your other Ladies are awesome. It's so great to have those!
ReplyDeleteLove your old quilts they are very precious. I am afraid I would have bathed it too and I am glad it came out so lovely and clean.
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well I tried to send you an e-mail but it came back saying it didn't exist anymore. I hope when you can you will let me know all is well. Blessings and hugs Sandra
Beautiful treasures are here In the Boon Docks too! One with feed sack backing was being used as a door stop and yes I washed it for $2.00 it needed a bath!
ReplyDeleteOh my, she is a gem! I love that red and white block. That pattern is on my "someday". Isn't it amazing when you find a treasure like that? And that price, wow!
ReplyDeleteI love these! I do own a few "old ladies" including one my mother and grandmother made from tobacco sacks when mama was a teen (about 1940). blessings, marlene
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