Friday, May 4, 2018

HERE'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING

A long time friend of mine has tasked me with helping to dispose of her lifetime of quilting treasures.  Believe me she has a lot.  This 7' x 7' POD came all the way from Illinois....and it was filled!


Among the goodies is around 50-60 boxes of fabric (no big box fabrics here, all quilt shop quality and otherwise very special!) each weighing about 30+ pounds.  80-100 completed quilts, 25+ vintage quilt tops, 10 bins with vintage 1930's bocks/scraps, yardage, quilt tops that need love & fixing,  20+ boxes of books, several huge boxes of batting....plus the usual array of needles, thread (190 of Mettler to be exact), rulers, scissors, should I go on??

I'm honored that she's entrusting me with her wish to see that her love of quilting can be passed along to those who will treasure it as much as she does.  My studio and guest room may give the appearance of a hoarder living here now.  These photos are after 3 weeks + of steady (doing nothing but this) work of unpacking/sorting/organizing/researching/photographing. Happily, I'm beginning to find homes for some of it.









If you are a collector of 1930's vintage quilt tops or quilts....I'm your gal.  I haven't photographed them yet...but they are here looking for new homes.  Drop me a note if you'd like to see some.  I'll be back doing my own creations once I have a better handle on all this....it's sure been an honor to view and handle these treasures.

Why not check out what other artists have been working on:  Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday, Sarah's Whoop, Whoop Friday, Crazy Mom Quilts.

13 comments:

Kathy said...

Really didn't realize the magnitude of your task until seeing these photos! What a good friend you are! And good luck!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

You can't be that far away from me, let me know if I can help you quilt and finish a couple of tops for charity.

Norma Schlager said...

Wha an enormous job. Good luck, it certainly looks daunting!

Cedar Ridge Studio said...

I am doing a series of art quilts using quilt tops and quilt squares from the 1930's
I would be interested in using some of those items. My e-mail is mavs@netnitco.net.

Sherrie Spangler said...

What a labor of love! I'd be tempted to donate a lot of the fabric and batting to groups that make charity quilts.

Angela said...

Wow! I would be totally overwhelmed by that!

Nancy said...

Wowser, Mary! This is huge. So kind of you to take on this task. My sewing room looks like a hoard BEFORE even attempting to add all this in the mix. And I can see why it's been full time. I love 30s quilts, so keep them coming! Bless you for doing this for your friend, and her for entrusting her goods to he quilt world.

Ann Scott said...

You are a dear person to take care of this collection of treasures. Are there any king size tops in there? Thanks.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Oh, my. How overwhelming! Take notes and let us know any hints for dealing with such an influx of quilting stuff. I would not know where to begin. You are a gem to do this.

The Inside Stori said...

Oh my goodness everyone.......I'm just doing what needs to be done......and feeling so special that my friend Helen entrusted me to do the right thing with her treasures......she was an expert in anything 1930's...had a huge collection that she rescued from flea market finds. I can recall the two of us going out on Sat. & Sun. in the Chicago suburbs.....she was like one of those French hogs/pigs that could sniff out truffles....only she sniffed out 1930's fabrics. Ann asked if there were any king tops.....not sure....don't think so...but will check when everything is unpacked....who knows...there's so much...will keep it in mind. Linda asked about hints to dealing with this amount.........one place I've utilized is the various buying and selling groups on Facebook......they've been very interested in the 30's collections. As far as the modern fabrics....I'm still working on that!! Have sold some by the pound.....$9 for 1 pound which = 3 yards. Crazy since most of these batiks, Hoffman's, Kona, and all the big names you'd recognize sell for $10 - $12.....but my friend wants to be sure it will be utilized....making it available at a more than reasonable price is the first step. She's the hero here....not me!!

quiltedfabricart said...

I know others have already said this but you really are a good friend to do all this and she is an angel for wanting it to go to good homes. Maybe put some up on Etsy Studio? Possibly get some of those mailing boxes that have a flat rate and fill them up, then post the contents. Just a thought.

Robbie said...

Bless you Mary! This is quite an undertaking! But so kind of you and the fabrics should find good homes, as should the quilt tops. Best of luck!!

The Idaho Beauty said...

These photos show both a quilter's heaven on earth and nightmare at the same time! It's so much work but you are breaking it down well. Helen surely picked the right person to be in charge, was thinking ahead as we all should be. I know you feel you are "just doing what needs to be done," but many would say no no no and just walk away.