Brr! These cold winter days and nights remind me of the comfort of a good quilt. I’ll describe a few of the vintage quilts that I own.
The first of my vintage quilts has the most history for my family because it was attached to the springs of my grandparents’ bed to keep the coils from poking through. My grandmother sewed it on a treadle sewing machine which was always set up in their living room. I remember fondly playing with it as a child. Though it’s only part of a larger quilt that I divided up between my siblings and I, I plan to make pillows or wall-hangings from it for my daughters.


Some vintage quilts have been a challenge for me to get ready and this one was no exception. When I purchased it (for 50 cents!), it was very yellowed. After I researched how to get rid of the yellowing and learned that Borax will take the stain out, I had a plan. I got a large, plastic tote and filled it with warm water mixed with Borax. Next, I placed the quilt inside the tote and set it outside on a warm, summer day. Then I emptied the water in the evening. After repeating this process every day for six days I managed to get the whiteness it has now. I think it turned out pretty well.

This next quilt was inherited from my mother-in-law. I like the nice bow tie design on it. My in-laws were pastors for several years and this quilt was a gift from a church ladies’ group. With that in mind, it made a nice connection for me since my husband is a pastor as well.

Some of my quilts have a lot of memories for me, personally. This blue one has beautiful embroidered pieces that my mother sewed. She’s gone now but was living with us for awhile so we were glad to spend that time with her before she passed away. She had Alzheimer’s so the sewing isn’t straight in some places, but this piece is very memorable for me. Although my mom sewed the pieces, I had to cut and pin everything for her.

For the old-fashioned car lover, I think this brown vintage quilt is perfect! My mother sewed the squares together on these hand-painted pieces which a friend of mine found at a garage sale and gave to me. Incidentally, my dad did a lot of mechanic work, so this quilt reminds me of him. Since he is gone also, it’s nice to have this reminder of him.

Leave a Reply