Family Heirlooms

Both of these quilts arrived yesterday, sent by my Mother-in-Law(Mom). I was so thrilled to get them to add to my collection of family heirlooms. Mom is getting up in age and beginning to share her things with us with the approval of all the siblings. This is not to say we are cleaning out her home for we truly hope she has many years left living there but she is wise enough to know that sometimes the gift of giving now gives more pleasure than later on. I am the only quilter in my hubby's family and the one who cherishes the old as well as newer quilts so it seemed fair that they come to us and in turn be passed onto my daughters(her only granddaughters)who would love them as well. The Double Wedding Ring was made about 20 years ago by a cousin in Tennessee for Mom and although we did have to give it a good washing with quilt soap, it looks brand new. The Grandmother's Fan quilt was made in the late 1920's-1930's by my husbands grandmother. Unfortunately it was stored in direct sunlight and in a home where there were smokers so the material has deteriorated and in places is shredding. I aired it out and now it just smells old and musty so I am sure it will not be used. I won't hand wash it for I fear the fabric would fall apart. When I showed my grandsons this quilt they had a hard time fathoming just how old 70-80 yrs is. I love looking at the fabrics and trying to see if there are any that match the 1920's Trip Around the World quilt hubbies grandmother made. That particular quilt is hanging in our basement, adorning the wall that faces the stairs-so all can see it when they go downstairs. The most important part of the heirlooms I hope to give is not necessarily their monetary value but the sentimental value-things made by woman in our family.