It’s that time of year again…the time where any innocent errand to the grocery store can unexpectedly turn into a serious yard-saling expedition because I can’t ever seem to resist those little neon arrows along the way. This springy weekend felt like the official start of yard sale season, and I won’t lie- I absolutely love it. A quick trip to the store for milk turned into the kids yelling from the backseat “Turn here!! Turn here!” at every sign, no doubt in hope of new Beanie Babies or a pair of fancy white gloves. Well this time it was Mamma’s turn to hit the jackpot.
At garage sales I’m like a hawk honing in on it’s prey…eyes darting through the old Tupperware and pilled sweaters, skimming past the old kitchen chairs and charity t-shirts until BOOM. I spot the glimmer of something beautiful.
Lying there in all their hand-pieced, hand-quilted, floral feed sack glory were two gorgeous 1930s quilts, a pillow, and a Christmas tree skirt. I tried to play it cool as I casually asked the hostess how much she wanted for them. Sure, the quilts were worn…some patches were damaged, and the bindings were almost completely worn off leaving raw, frayed edges, but the beauty was undeniable.
“Those old quilts? How about $10 for all four?”, she said.
At that point, I pretty much picked my jaw up off the floor, tossed a couple of Beanie Babies onto the pile, slapped some cash in her hand and ran (and by ran, I mean fastened four child car seats, dispersed snack and beverages to a tired, whiny mob, and coolly sailed off in my Cheerio-dust-powered spaceship).
The truth is, I don’t need more quilts. I have quilts on every bed, stacked in closets, folded over chair backs, hanging on walls, and draped over railings. My decor style is whimsical farmhouse cottage with an extreme emphasis on quilts, but the truth is, my love for them comes from a much deeper place.
I’m not a collector…I think of myself as more of a quilt keeper. A keeper of quilts. Like an innkeeper, gatekeeper, zookeeper– I see something of value, something worth appreciating, worth enjoying, worth protecting, and so I take it in and give it a loving home where I know it will get all of those things.
I respect how personal a quilt is…or any handmade item, really. I know how much work and heart goes into craft. When I see something like an old quilt, it’s like I’m eight years old again, hunched over for hours upon hours in my room, making something…a pillow, beaded earrings, a quilt…whatever it was at the moment. I remember feeling overjoyed with fulfillment at what I had conceived in my mind and made with my hands. How utterly wonderful it felt to put so much work into something, to truly love what I saw, and to hope, crave really, that the person I’d made it for (because it was always a gift) would see how special it was also, and would cherish it. Maybe there’s a sixth love language– handmade. It’s different than the language of gifts, but perhaps a sub-category of it. I would absolutely pour my heart into making something that made my heart sing, and then I would give it to someone as an expression of love.
So when I see a quilt, or other handmade work like an embroidery sampler or a painting, that’s unwanted, a little piece of my heart breaks. I know that it’s just fabric or paint or yarn, but to me, handmade was (and is) sacred because that’s how I communicated love growing up. I expressed myself through handcraft and, I think that deep in my heart I wanted my art to be loved because I wanted to feel loved , and I wanted others to feel loved also so it was almost as if the item was an extension of myself. Not just a functional object or a pretty thing to look at, but a piece of my heart. The connection felt so tangible to me as a child, that on the flip side, a rejection by someone of what I had made, would feel like a rejection of me (which is one reason I don’t enter quilts in judged shows). Somehow the two are inseparably linked- my heart and my craft. I don’t dare invite someone to critique it or rank it as better or worse than another.
I know this post will sound mushy or overly dramatic to some, which is part of the reason it took me over a week to hit the publish button. I know that my personality type plays a huge role in my perspective, and admittedly I’m a little sensitive about, well, being so sensitive (shocker). I’m an ENFJ (on the Myers Briggs scale)- a rare type (I’m told) who’s always experiencing the world through strong emotions and personal connections, and in some ways sensing and feeling the emotions of others (often to a fault). I remember deep, burdensome guilt as a child when I played with some toys more than others. How hurtful of me to love this toy more than that one, I thought. It felt like I was breaking the hearts of those less-played-with toys, so to compensate, I would go out of my way to try and make them feel extra loved…maybe bring them along for a road trip even though they weren’t my favorite. Even the ugly (to me) dolls, were precious- perhaps even extra precious- because I was so concerned about their feelings.
I know –toys don’t have feelings, and neither do quilts– but their makers do, and I think that’s what it comes down to for me. My deep need to appreciate and savor handmade things is because they are tied to people. And not just to people, but to their deepest, most honest place– the place they might not even be able to put into words, but where they craved to be loved.
I don’t know any of the makers of the quilts in my home (other than the ones that I’ve made). Some are family heirlooms and some are from thrift stores or garage sales, but it doesn’t matter either way. Just like the relationship I had with my dolls as a young girl, these makers don’t need to be able tell me how much their quilts meant to them- I can feel it. I feel their joy and accomplishment in that beautiful finished work (even if the beauty seems below the surface). And I feel pain in seeing their work on a tarp next to worn shoes and exercise equipment.
My love for handmade is deeper than pretty stitching or happy colors. It’s deeper than a love for vintage style. It’s my heart saying, ‘I see your heart, and it’s a treasure.’ It’s important. It’s worthy. It’s precious. It’s one-of-a-kind. It’s you. And as my sweet grandma always used to say, ‘I love you, a bushel & a peck.’
XO
Well done for the rescues!
Oh, I relate deeply with your sentiment! A piece of me is always with something I make, and I respect the piece of themselves that all makers leave on their craft.
Wow! Look at the handwork in those quits. Someone’s heart and soul there. Someone’s treasures left behind. Now they will have a good home.
What an excellent post . I’m glad you were able to be “keeper” to these new to you treasures . I too have been a giver of “handmade” items for gifts for a looooong time……be it knitted gloves, mittens, scarfs or vests and sweaters… Sewn items.. ..dolls, ornaments… Smocked dresses…..my list could go on and on…..I appreciate receiving a handmade gift too…..these are some of my absolute favorite things…… The things that remind me of people now gone and memories of wonderful times and places :)
I’m crying as I write this… Not just because I hear your words, but because I’ve been wanting to get in touch about commissioning a quilt of my father in law’s shirts. I know the project would be in the best hands and it would mean so much to have him commemorated by your artistry. I’ll call you. Miss you Amy.
I think about you EVERY single day, Heather! Miss you so very much, friend. Truly. Call me! XO
I know what you mean about toys; when I was little I would also be careful not to hurt my toys feelings. When I arranged them I would always make sure they could all ‘see’, and I rotated them so they all got a turn sitting next to Big Ted (the best place). Even now I’m afraid that it hurts Jennifer when my youngest swings her about by her arms!
Thank you for sharing your inter feelings on handmade. You said what alot of us feel.
Beautiful words! I know exactly what you mean. I have one of my great grandmother’s quilts in my living room, and I love the connection and appreciation I can have for her even though I never met her. Thank you for sharing. The quilts are lovely!
I don’t remember about my toys as I had few. I am very fond of my 1st ruler and use it sometimes so it will not feel left out. I cried one time because I saw furniture wrapped in an old quilt on a trailer and it was raining. Glad someone is saving those quilts!
I could have written this post–I too feel a deep connection to handmade things and appreciate all the hard work that goes into them. And I also tried to be “fair” when I played with my toys! Thank you so much for sharing your feelings.
I’m with you..hand made gifts have always been my way of showing love to those around me and I always see love in any handmade item. I’ll bet most of us here feel that way. So kudos to you for rescuing someone else’s lovingly made quilts.
You get me. I feel the same way when I stumble upon anything handmade or even half finished in a thrift store or yard sale. It’s like those things are crying out to me to rescue them because they know they will be treasured and honored in my home. I’m so glad to know there are many others who feel the same way I do. :)
These quilts are beautiful, the lady selling them clearly didn’t have a clue what she had, I’m so glad you found them and that the are now appreciated as they should be.
I can relate to exactly what you are saying. having done some type of craft weather it be crochet, knitting, sewing, quilting, beading or scrapbooking and more since a very young age I can’t bear to see anything handmade go unappreciated. Love hearing your feelings and also felling like I am not alone in this quest to save all the handmade.
My mother has two quilts made by her grandmother that she has lovingly repaired and continued to use. I dream of the day they will be passed on to me so I can have that daily interaction with the handiwork of both my great-grandmother and my mother. I imagine it’s rewarding in a different way to have a quilt from an unknown maker to let your imagination run wild about! All the fabrics– were they scraps from baby clothes or Sunday best dresses? That hole — made by the dog or from being loved to death by a child?
Thanks for a beautiful post and the gorgeous photos of your finds!
Amy, your sweet heart always shows through in each post, but especially today. There are people who really don’t understand the heart and soul an artist puts into their work. The same sensitive nature that makes you “play fair” with your “toys” also wants to please with that artistry. I can’t imagine you ever displeasing anyone. Don’t ever change…
I very much relate to your words. I bet you agonized over which classmate got which Valentine too. I know I did.
I found a quilt top at an antique store in Nashville, Tennessee several years ago that I have yet been able to locate the name of the pattern for. It’s beautiful and in pristine condition. Paying $20, it became mine. I plan to hand quilt it – the top was so beautifully hand-pieced, it deserves to be hand-quilted.
Your new found treasures are lovely. I’m glad they found at deserving home.
Amy, what a special post – written from the heart. I too, love making gifts (quilts, mug rugs, cosmetic bags, etc.) and feel that a piece of my heart goes into each one. And really appreciate anything that is handmade for me – makes the gift all the more special. I really like your words “quilt keeper”…… and they are beautiful quilts to keep!
You hit the jackpot Amy! They are beautiful….so much handwork.
Not mushy at all… I can totally relate to your feelings…. And love that you rescued those amazing quilts!!! Thanks for sharing with all of us!!
So beautifully said! Your love and talent shines in this post. Thank you. Also, your saves are beautiful.
you made me tear up. you so eloquently expressed our connection with quilts. It expresses us totally because it took time,energy,work to create what we are feeling. it is a tangible part of us thru the seasons of our life. thank you. my heart broke that those quilts and pillow were so unimportant to them. I am thankful you found them and gave them a loving home.
You so wonderfully expressed what many of us feel as we hand-make gifts (even gifts to ourselves 😉). I can relate to your sentiments. I’m very glad you posted this.
What a fantastic find! I would not have been able to resist. They remind me of a quilt that I use every night that my husband’s grandmother made. It is all white with appliqued dresden plates all over it. The edges are worn and frayed and it is so well-loved that you can just feel it! I really should make some repairs to it but haven’t gotten to it yet. I feel every quilt has a story. I would love to hear that one but no one seems to know it and the maker has long passed.
I can so relate to what you’ve said in your post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and pictures of your beautiful finds.
Well said, Amy. Beautifully painted. It touches my heart and I feel as I identify with what you say. Thank you!
Love what you said. You are so sweet. Grandma Helen would be proud. (I’m guessing that is who you are talking about)
This INFJ was teary just reading the post and seeing the stunning finds! Wow, the are beautiful! It would have been hard for me not to share with the seller why they should be more valued, but if I was told $10 for all I’m pretty sure I would have ran too!
I do not enjoy yard sales (my I to your E), but you may have motivated me to at least get out and look for those handmade treasures. Thanks for sharing them with us!
I have inherited some old pieces tucked away in suitcases. They are musty and discolored. Can you give any suggestions on how to refresh them so they can be displayed?
Thank you so much for sharing these words. You have touched my heart. Your family and friends are so lucky to have such a genuine soul in their lives.
I am the same way with old sewing machines. Its a bad deal really I just can’t let one be there and called junk. I get it take it home clean it up and they are everywhere in every room. Like you I feel bad that they are not being used so I will try to sew on the ones that still sew just a lil every now and then. I go around and make sure they are not gathering dust and look their very best. I don’t know and neither does my poor husband why I do this, but well it happens lol! Great finds they are wonderful!
I love this post so much! I also am a huge sucker for garage sales – “What if this is the MOST AWESOME sale and I didn’t stop?! What if they’re selling vintage flat sheets for 10 cents each?!” ;-)
And I’m so with you about strapping kidlets in carseats. I’ve got 3… So. Fun. haha
I am also an ENFJ and you expressed so eloquently exactly my feelings about handmade things. The phrase, “Love in every stitch” really means something to me and it is how I approach all my handwork. I think it is sad that we as a society are so hesitant to say that we care.
Such a beautiful post. As a fellow quilt keeper, I truly feel the same loving sentiment. Thank you for daring to share your thoughts and articulating them in such a heartfelt way : )
Beautiful post and beautiful quilts. So glad you rescued them!
I remember being in a thrift store a few years ago and spotting a hand made quilt. My heart broke a little because I knew that someone had made this beautiful quilt and now it hung in a store, abandoned and alone. ): It felt to me that the maker would cry knowing her/his quilt was ‘thrown away’. I immediately tucked it under my arm, purchased it, and took it home. It is still folded at the end of my couch, used as a bed for my cats and dogs. It is well-loved and treasured. It is starting to get tattered at the ends, but I just have to do some mending and it will be good as new. I think about the anonymous owner every time I have to pick it up off the floor or throw it in the washing machine. I send out a secret ‘hello, your quilt is still loved’, and I smile. (:
I guess it also makes me wonder what will happen to all my treasured creations someday.
It is awesome what a loving heart and willing hands can do. The gifts they produce have long-range and often hidden effects. And someone who makes sure that she plays fair with her toys has indeed a most generous heart that is reflected in everything she does. Bless your heart.
Oh my, these quilts are exquisite!! Look at all that hand stitching! You are the best person to rescue these. I hope you find my email to you about my finally finishing the Craftsy 2012 BOM from your class, which I actually started in 2012. A lot of my heart is in that quilt too.
What an amazing find! A beautiful post, I feel the same way about handmade things, especially quilts!
I DO understand your sentiment! I’m happy that your beautiful finds have found their way to someone who will appreciate them and the ones that made them. Good for you.
I love this! I rescued a crocheted granny square blanket from a church sale a few years ago. It was folded up and bound tightly with masking tape and marked for $3 and that almost made me cry. The time that went into creating it and someone had just tossed it aside. My children have sworn they will not sell any of my quilts or knitted things at a garage sale, but will instead find homes for them where they will be appreciated.
You are so awesome and I can understand the NEED to take these quilts home and love them. I always felt the same way about the crooked and ugly pumpkins in a pumpkin patch. They had to be mine because while others would deem them flawed, to me they were interesting and special! All the more so then with something that was designed and stitched with love – hopefully to be heirlooms – but only to be sold for a pittance years later. It was destiny that you would end up their next keeper! I am so jealous that you have such great garage sales near you. The suburbs by me just are not the same!
Beautiful quilts and beautiful post reflection! <3
So glad these beautiful quilts found a happy home where they will be appreciated!
I LOVE THIS POST!!!! Made my day
Thanks for sharing your HEART!
I loved reading your words. Quilting has become my passion. Each stitch in a quilt makes me feel as though my time spent is healing, soothing, useful. It breaks my heart to see quilts discarded.
So happy you ‘stumbled’ upon them. I think it was actually a ‘God’ appointment. And now you are the keeper of the beautiful treasures, loved and appreciated. Sad that this person who relinquished these beautiful items did not seem to know the value or essence of these loved, timely treasures. Would like to know the history behind them myself. Awwhh well, guess will never know. My MIL was a seamstress/quilt maker, and she was a skilled hand sewer of many quilts. They had quilting bees in the neighborhood when it was time to assemble one. I so admired her and also yourself with such artisan skill & talent.
Amy, nine years ago I lost three family members in an accident. Three years ago I began making quilts and giving them to the people who have supported and loved me through this time of grief. My sister has asked me several times “Why don’t you keep one for yourself?” I just sent her a portion of your post and told her “This is why I give them all away.” Thank you for giving me the words to explain it to her.
Amy, your blog touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. You have put into words what I have always felt about the quilts I make and why I make them. It feels good to hear someone state so succintly what I’ve always known in my heart. When I was president of my guild, a man whom I’d never met before contacted me and said his mother had passed away and he was cleaning her house out. His first inclination was to throw everything in the dumpster, but he asked if I would come over and look at it to see if there was anything worth salvaging. I went up to her craft room and just marveled at all the unfinished quilt tops and blocks that had sat for so many years after life got in the way. They were obviously pieced in the 30’s using every tiny scrap. Many of the triangles were pieced together with tiny scraps. I took them all home. I just couldn’t let this women’s work be tossed in some dumpster like all the other trash. There was too much love put into these quilts. I took them home and have been trying to sew them together and finish them. I don’t know what I”ll do with them, but I just couldn’t bear to see them thrown out. My 3 children don’t understand why I have all my quilts and they’ve told me when I pass on, they’re going to burn the house down rather than try to sort through all the fabric and quilts. I begged them not do that–to contact our guild. Quilting ladies understand. They would lovingly find ways to use them and share them with others.
What a find! I’m in love with the red and white one. Its amazing that someone felt these weren’t worth it to keep. I would have had a hard time keeping a straight face at that sale when told the price. Good for you!
Funny, I’m also an ENFJ and you summed up our personality perfectly! As for the drunkard path quilt, is ric rac lining the pieces? It is so stunning without being overly feminine. I must make one this summer! Great job on the score! These quilits will adore finding new love in your house.
These quilts found a good home! If the seller didn’t appreciate them, I’m so glad she gave you a great price so you could afford to take them all. I know I feel things a lot stronger than some other people so I could identify with you. The quilts are beautiful!
you hit the jackpot that day, the quilts and pillow are gorgeous treasures, how fabulous that you went out for milk and came home with new treasures from days gone by. Lovely post to read!
This post resonates with me on so many levels. By far the best blog post I have read in a long, long time. All the hearts.
Your post just touched my heart. Sometimes I get strange looks from people… “you quilt?” As if to say ‘Why? Don’t you have something better to do?” You summed it up perfectly. It is much deeper than that. It’s a connection to who I am inside, it’s a connection to those who have gone before us. and it will be a connection to those who come after. Quilting is a piece of my heart.
I loved them all, my favorite was the butterflies!!!!
These quilts are beautiful. I dream about finding a vintage quilt one day. It’s comforting to know other people attach feelings to inanimate objects. I used to think there was something wrong with me for doing the same!
beautiful sentiments…truly.
So well expressed. You have the gift of words! I’m an INTJ on the MB Scale. Another very rare rating, and although our type is different, there are many similarities. Love you new old Quilts! What a rescue!
I get it. I knew (as a child) that everything has feelings, and I’m not convinced they don’t. I just made my first quilt that I sent to someone else to quilt. It’s not perfect, in fact, it’s had so much unpicking and places that should have been unpicked, but I made it with love for my parents. Because they are still giving me their best. I love handmade items and try to pick carefully who to make something for. My mother taught me of the pain that seeing something you carefully chose for someone and then made by hand tossed aside. She taught me to be careful not to give something to someone who had no idea of the time and love that goes into it. I feel bad sometimes because I’ll usually dash out and buy something but every once in awhile, I know my labor will be appreciated. Then the gift is even more special.
Thank you so much for sharing your feelings and articulating mine. I’ve loved quilting since the early 70’s though only recently attempted it on my own. The gift of “handmade” not only honors the recipient, it graces the giver with the joy of accomplishment and the knowledge of time well spent. And for me, recognizing, appreciating, and owning the art of a quilt links me in a special way to all my fore mothers – not just my blood relations but all the women who contributed something warm and lovely to the world. And I have a suspicion that those who busy themselves to contribute are better people for the effort.
Lovely quilts. Affecting post. Generous share. Thank you. Neame
I just stumbled upon your blog and IG account and although many have reiterated these words in the comment above, I love your expression and appreciation for handmade. I’ve only discovered my passion for it in the last few years having lived abroad in Africa as a missionary with my husband. We had practically no money and what we did have was for practical things like food and water. But one day I got it into my head that I could make a quilt because we needed a blanket. So I went down to the big town market and bought myself some second hand dresses for 75¢ each and cut them up, hand pieced and hand quilted the 8″ squares and made my first ever quilt (in a queen size no less)! I’ve been hooked ever since! But the thing that’s so interesting about it is it opened the door of giving handmade and I think it’s also my unspoken subcategory love language. Thank you for sharing and inspiring. I’m new in my quilting journey but I dream of the day when j have a quilt over every chair and armoires stacked with homemade, rescued or gifted quilts. Every one having a story stitched in, and love connecting each block. ☺️ Thank you!
Great article! I agree with you 100% & have adopted many antique, well-worn quilts that speak to me. So much work to be discarded out of hand. It hurts to see them in a junk pile. As I type this, I’m looking at an old, worn & damaged, hand quilted dresden plate quilt that was for sale at my quilt guild’s bazaar last year. It didn’t sell & when we were cleaning up after the bazaar, a fellow quilter gave it to me. Since retiring, she had no more room to keep anything but her favorite quilts. I have made this beautiful, rescued quilt into a Christmas tree skirt. It’s soft cream background & faded colors evoke the warmth of the holidays. I just love it & will be using it for many years to come. Now my friends all want one, so more quilts will be saved!
I would love to be able to print out this essay to leave with the things I will leave to my children. My handcrafts, my mom’s and grandma’s’