Friday, March 23, 2012

A Travesty

We are quilters. We value quilts. We know what it takes to produce one. That is why it is an absolute travesty to me that this twenty block Dresden plate signed friendship quilt was thrown into the dumpster of a thrift store. My sister, Suzanne, who also works there, rescued it and brought it to me. I was astounded by the cavalier attitude of the ignorant women who were going to dump it.
It is dated April, 1934, in nicely worked pale green embroidery that matches every one of the 20 signature names on the twenty large blocks. Beautiful hand quilting abounds and I believe  it was hand pieced, too. It measures approximately 60"X80". Yes, it has some fraying and wear on the pale thirties-green solid binding. Yes, it has two unfortunate stains. Yes, it has one damaged area that took out three petals of one plate and the section of it's wool batting. But it has no odors. And it represents so many hours of work by these twenty women. I wonder if these were actual feedsack fabrics? Probably.











The women who were going to dispose of this were not teenagers, just middle class American women who were thinking "inside the box."  Shame on them!

It has a rip. Throw it out. It's broken. Get rid of it. It's old. Nobody wants it. It doesn't fit the category, (clothing shop) so put it in the trash.

Beware this type of thinking.

8 comments:

Maureen said...

So glad you and your sister saved this quilt. It's charming! I think I'd have those thrift store ladies call me whenever a quilt comes in.

Sara said...

It is a travesty! I know you will take good care of it - and I'm thinking it can't be that difficult to fix up - I hope you have fun fixing this up for yourself...

FeatherDuster said...

What a lucky find.
It's a shame that so many people will throw away things rather than find SOME sort of use for them.

Katie said...

OMG!!! Thank the Good Lord Up Above you and your sister were there to save this precious quilt from it's horrific fate!!!!
WOWWWWWWW

Helen in the UK said...

Thank goodness for your sister!! The quilt now resides with someone who will appreciate it and care for it. Hooray :)

Jen said...

What a find! I think it is totally salvageable. Just a little bit of time finding the right reproduction fabric and stain removal. I don't know how harsh Oxi-Clean is, but I'd love to believe what I see in the commercials.

Anonymous said...

Just this week a friend tried to donate a handmade quilt in great shape to a thrift shop and then habitat for humanity but her gift was refused by both. Why? Fear of BEDBUGS!

HelenMarie said...

Great Save! Society in general has such a disposable mindset, buying cheap made in china stuff. The value of a quilt like this isn't anywhere's near the radar of most people.

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