Each time I place this saucer in front of my husband for his dessert or salad, he protests. He doesn’t want to use it because it was my Grandpa Van’s saucer and he is afraid he will break it. I have explained over and over that if it has lasted well over 100 years, it is unlikely he will break it. And if it is broken, that is OK–I can not believe my children will want it. It isn’t conventionally pretty and it is chipped, so even though my friend who knows about these trends says Ironstone is “hot stuff” now, it has no monetary value to me. I keep it because I remember my Grandpa pouring coffee out his mug into the saucer to cool and drink. If the saucer breaks, I still have the memory. And by using it every day, it is a tangible link to my heritage-and a man who was very practical, hardworking frugal and a believer in education.
Too often, I hear people express this same sentiment about a quilt or hand embroidered towels or some other handcrafted item. The item must be carefully saved so it won’t get worn or damaged. When I give a baby quilt to a new mother, I want the baby to be wrapped in it, or crawl on it on the floor or used later as part of a quilt fort the child makes. My grandson’s first large quilt is quite faded now since it has been on his bed for over 15 years and therefore had to be laundered multiple times. That makes me happy.
True, I have been guilty of “saving” items away in a box. My grandmother’s wedding quilt is safely stored in an acid free box for my daughter, but my mother continued on the preservation that her mother started, I can’t stop the practice. But more and more, I display the quilts or keepsakes in my home so I can admire and enjoy them.
My mother-in-law once said to me “Are you saving these for your husband’s second wife?” But when we were going through her things we found many items that had not been used. So I think everyone pays homage to the “enjoy it now” belief but just can’t bring themselves to use some items for fear of damaging them.
Finding quilts at auctions and at antique shops has become a treasure hunt for some folks. Who doesn’t like to brag about a heirloom found for very little money? I found this beauty at a relative’s estate auction. It isn’t a family piece according to the owner, but one they had purchased. I would have paid much more than I did to have this pastel grandma’s flower garden in my collection.
The Quilters at First will have a Vintage Corner at the annual Quilt Sale in October. We will have donated quilts, aprons and table linens. Lucky for us, most of the items are in great shape, they just need a new home.
Ida donated this vintage butterfly quilt. We are not certain about the quilt’s age, but the butterfly motif was popular in the 1930’s and 40’s. The fabric is certainly of that period—the simple tiny prints and the solid yellow.
Prairie Points surround the quilt, adding color and a feminine look. The quilt measures 65″ x 74″.
The hand quilting is exquisite. There are 10 to 12 stitches to the inch. This stylized butterfly in stitching into the solid blocks and there is stitching around each appliqued block.
The quilt is being offered for $200 and you may buy it before the sale. Please leave a comment if you are interested.
Quilts, Etc. 