Quilts and quilting seem to be very fashionable at the moment.
I've always loved old quilts, especially the early American red and white ones. One wonders if Frank Stella's grandmother didn't make, or own, a few.
These are now becoming extremely expensive to buy (I own ONE). So, here's an idea; why doesn't some clever business-minded entrepreneur buy the 'rights', and PRINT them as bed covers. The quilt-stitching could be done by machine, and the finished product would sell at a tiny fraction of the cost of an original.
Here in France they already do something similar with their antique looking boutis.
'SACRILEGE', I hear all you quilters shout! No, just hoping to make beautiful things available to a wider audience, at a price we can all afford.
sorry Cro, this is already done...generally in sweatshops in Asia....
ReplyDeleteI'd rather carry on making my own, or buy other hand-made quilts.
A friend bought a pieced but unquilted bedspread in an Amish market..she is backing and quilting it herself and will send the original maker a photograph of the finished article-a joint effort by two highly skilled craftswomen...one of whom runs a farm and looks after her family as well as quilting....
quilts were a necessity, but there was no reason that they should be rough and ready. It is a joy to see the skills of hand and eye in anything, so why now go for a cheap imitation
DeleteNot only do I never see any on sale, but I bet they'd be amazingly expensive. It was just an idea!
Deletenot expensive when you think how much work went into it- it would be a thing to cherish.
DeleteThe tradition was that a girl would produce her bottom drawer full of bedlinen and quilts before marriage
You're in the right hemisphere; it's snowing here (very lightly).
Deleteand raining softly here after a night of heavy rain. No worries....it was needed and it is warm enough.
DeleteHi Cro, Ikea sell exactly what you describe, a huge one is about £70.
ReplyDeleteOf course at the quilt supplies shop, there are ready printed fabrics that ladies can quilt as they wish.
For me the fun is in the piecing, trouble is, the house becomes full of plastic crates full of bits of fabric ;-)
It's nice to see hand crafts enjoying a resurgence. Apparently this happens when there is a recession and people long for the traditions and comforts of a simpler time.
I'll check out the Ikea suggestion. We have one at Toulouse. Thanks.
DeleteCarrying on from Kath's suggestion. Etsy is a site selling all hand made items and they have loads of quilts for sale in all sizes.
ReplyDeleteI have just finished one for my 22 year old Grandson as a keep sake in memory of his old Nan. lol
He wants me to put the date etc on the back so I know he's appreciative.
Trouble is, I have 4 other Grandchildren and I feel guilty now about them not having one, looks like I'll be quilting to the grave. lol
Thanks CCC. I've just had a look at Etsy. They have one or two that I may well buy.
DeleteNot sure I understand you right, but i actually own a few bedcovers that are a "reproduction" of a quilt, that is - printed to look as quilts;)) So I guess the Danes got the idea too.;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great Sunday, here it is bitterly cold and snowing.;) So a warm quilt is appreciated;)
xoxo
We have a museum-full of early American originals here in Bath, all on racks. I wonder if they sell copies these days?
ReplyDeleteThe whole idea of owning a quilt is to own a piece of art. There is already enough made in .... crap on the market.
ReplyDeleteMy mother and I owned and operated a quilt and needlework shop here for over 35+ years. We did quilting and made simple tops and quilts for the general market, plus sold the material and supplies. On top of that we did needlepoint, embroderies for churches and commission work.
ReplyDeleteThe quilts that are done in Asia are the sweat shop type. I do have some that someone brought in the shop to just get rid of. We fixed them and I do enjoy them as I can wash them when the cats lay on the bed. But I do quilt the pretty ones that you can enjoy. Just don't have time at the moment, and its been awhile since we retired from the shop.
I think the prices for the ones sold are high, but like was mentioned, they are work and is art from the heart.
I have several very old quilts from the 30's and 40's of my great grandmothers. I have a very old top from the 1880's that I will have someone finish, if and when I can find someone to hand quilt it for me. The quilters here are 4 years backed up in hand quilting now.
The red quilt you have is stunning. The whole cloth ones are beautiful also.
Buy one, Mr. M and you will enjoy them.
just a thought, one Welsh tradition was not pieced but wholecloth quilts, where the cloth was plain and the quilting pattern itself was the focus
ReplyDeleteMy husband comes from a long line of quilters. I actually found several quilt tops in his mother's things and have as yet to make them into a quilt. She even did one that was on a print and quilted it by hand, it looks okay, but just not the same. I have only made a handful of quilts in my lifetime. They are a work of art for sure. Love the red and while one you show.
ReplyDeleteQuilting is such a homely thing to do and there are some incredibly talented quilters out there. I'm yet to try it - but I'm such a procrastinator and messy sod that I'd end up making a huge cock up of it all I reckon! I like your idea for the craftily challenged amongst us! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim. It seems as you and I are in a minority of two. I thought it quite a good idea!
DeleteI used to live very close to Amish folks and could buy quilts if i wanted. They were not as cheap as the ready-mades i've seen, but the difference between the two was night and day, and the cost of the Amish ones wasn't eye-wateringly dear.
ReplyDeleteFor whatever reason, i didn't buy any, and now i'm miles away from the source.
I've seen some amazing ones, real works of art, but think like Kim, i'd make a mess of things if i tried it.
One of my fellow knitters has made some lovely quilts. She, as previously mentioned in the comments, enjoys the whole design process, especially picking which colours to use and has a great eye for it.
I've now done the obvious, and looked on Ebay and Etsy. There are some wonderful quilts on sale, especially Amish ones. I shall be buying a few. I can't think why I didn't think of this myself! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAdore vintage quilts...have a few hand-stitched ones handed down to me from family...not quite as pretty as the red and white ones you have pictured...
ReplyDelete