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Lollipop Flowers
Georgina Fries, who designed and made Lollipop Flowers, shown in the Jan./Feb. 2007 issue of QNM, uses antique textiles to piece most of her quilts.
"The fabrics from the 1930s are the soundest," she says. "The colors are true, and the printing at the time was very well done." She warns against using fabrics made before the 1930s, though, since the fibers in such fabrics may be brittle and may not hold up well in patchwork.
Georgina enjoys hunting for her treasured fabrics in antique stores and at yard sales. "If you don't see any fabric at a yard sale, ask if they've got any inside they'd like to sell," she advises. "Folks don't think fabric is worth anything, so they don't always put it out." Although antique textiles from her favorite era are becoming increasingly scarce, her vigilant approach to collecting them has been fruitful. Her stash now fills dozens of storage tubs.
Another reason for Georgina's success is that she does not limit her search to yardage. On a recent trip to an antique store, she found several vintage aprons that had never been worn. The fabric was in perfect condition. "Be careful when considering using fabric from old clothing," she warns. "Make sure it hasn't been laundered to death." Stains, worn out elbows or knees, and fiber content are all additional things to consider when hunting for old clothing you'd like to use in a quilt.
Caring for vintage fabrics and preparing them for patchwork should be done carefully. "Launder them by hand in the kitchen sink, lay them out on a towel to air dry, and press them gently," advises Georgina. When handled properly, vintage textiles can offer the same integrity new fabrics offer–and your quilts will radiate true vintage charm.
If the January/February 2007 issue of QNM is no longer available in your local quilt shop, order a copy online at www.VillageQuiltShoppe.com.
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