I've had requests to blog about the cross-stitched quilt hanging behind my couch. So here goes.
I didn't make this quilt. Instead, it is one of my luckiest yard-sale finds ever. Sometime in the early 90s, I was driving to work one morning, through an affluent section of Birmingham called Mountain Brook. when I spied a yard sale. Of course, I stopped. That's where I found this amazing cross-stitched quilt with a price tag of $20.
I talked to the woman who was holding the sale. She told me that her grandmother made the quilt, and she thought it was about 50 years old. That would make it 1940s, but I'm thinking it could be as late as '50s or '60s. She thought, and I agree, that it was made from a purchased pre-stamped quilt kit. I believe it was probably either a Bucilla or Herrshner's kit.
I've researched this quilt all over the internet, and haven't been able to find it's origin. I did find, on E-bay, another quilt done in the same design but in multicolor embroidery. (See last photo at bottom of post.)
If anyone knows anything about the origin of this quilt design, please let me know.
As you can see from the photo above, there are some areas of the quilt where the embroidery is worn. The woman who sold it to me conjectured that this was caused by someone sitting on the bed that the quilt covered. There are also a couple of worn spots in the fabric and a small stain that looks like rust maybe. I chose not to try to repair it but to leave the quilt exactly as I bought it. The hand quilting is amazingly precise and plentiful.
This is the quilt I found on E-bay. It is priced at $139.00. There isn't a lot of information as the date or pattern company, but the hand quilting on this one is the same as on mine, more evidence that both quilts were stitched from pre-stamped kits.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 10/19/2010, crazymema said ...
Both quilts are gorgeous, but the all pink one looks wonderful in your room.
On 10/19/2010, Brenda Kula said ...
What a find that was!
Brenda
On 10/19/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Your quilt is beautiful and it was a surprise to see the design was all cross stitch. What a treasure you found at such a bargain price, too.
I wonder if the kit your quilt was made from was pre-quilted, too? That would account for you quilt and the eBay quilt having the same quilting designs. My mother made two quilts from such pre-quilted kits but her quilts are mostly applique with some cross stitch. I remember as a child hearing her wonder aloud why on earth she got two identical kits!
Hugs!
On 10/19/2010, Sandy said ...
Very pretty - I can never understand why people would want to get rid of or sale family heirlooms... maybe I'm the only one who treasure family heirlooms..I assume everyone should realize (and appreciate) how much time and work it takes to complete something like your quilt.
On 10/19/2010, Ruth said ...
Thankyou for sharing your beautiful quilt, it was a really great find. Nice that someone like you who will treasure it, was able to buy it. Having made a less inticate cross-stitch quilt I know the amount of time this quilt took to make.
Ruth
On 10/19/2010, Stephanie in Michigan said ...
Beautiful. Even $139 is not expensive for a quilt that is so much work! But $20 is a real find!
On 10/19/2010, Gretchen said ...
I'm so happy the quilt found a home with you who appreciates handwork. I was so sad to read that the owner sold her grandmother's quilt for $20. I guess I'm just sentimental and like old things too much.
On 10/20/2010, Beverly said ...
It is gorgeous and such a precious treasure. I don't believe it could have found a better home than with you.
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