yard sale find

[Butterfly]

Not sure if anyone can help, but I hope so. I just bought a quilt, or actually, part of a quilt, at a yard sale. It is about 3 feet by 4 feet and is obviously cut from a quilt....maybe it was damaged and this was the only salvagable part. I don't know. Anyway it is mounted on plywood, which is probably not a good idea, and I would like to find out how old it is. I would also like to be able to preserve it. I suspect it was made in the middle 1800's as it is the Christian Cross pattern, all hand done and very worn. I know this pattern was common during that time period but there are no names written on it (as was common at that time for friendship quilts) I would like to know more. Does anyone know how I can find out more info?

Jess

[micajah]

HI Jess,

I found this on amazon - it's a book on quilt documentation for Maryland

http://www.amazon.com/A-Maryland-Album-Quiltmaking-Traditions/dp/1558533419

another link is to a wiki of the quilt index

http://www.quiltindex.org/~quilti/wiki/index.php/Quilt_Documentation_Projects

another link to a selected bibliography of quilt history- http://www.booksandoldlace.com/quilting/StateQuiltHistoryBibliography.htm

And of course, don't forget Barbara Brackman. She has written many books on the subject of quilt history. You can find her by doing a google search.

Locally, look for quilt appraisers. Someone may be able to more accurately pin down a date on the fabrics used in the quilt.

And there is a book on dating fabrics - perhaps a local library has a copy. http://www.amazon.com/Dating-Fabrics-Color-Guide-1800-1960/dp/0891458840

Re: fabric preservation - http://www.thehenryford.org/research/caring/textiles.aspx

Post a picture of your find here. Would love to see it. And good luck,

Debbie

[Butterfly]

Thank you, Debbie, for all that info! I will try to post a picture by this evening.

Jess