Thank you for everyone's comments. I have two vintage tops purchased at antique stores and have been wondering what to do with them. Now, I won't feel guilty when I have them machine quilted and put them to use!

Margo, you are correct, I enjoyed the topic you suggested/linked to very much. I learned a great deal.

To all, I will sooooo be machine quilting and finishing this piece. I can only hand quilt so many quilts in a life time (not enough).

Thank you,
Melissa in Kansas City, Kansas

Hi Melissa, i say go for it and machine quilt your lovely old quilt top. Gyleen Fitzgerald, who was on TQS a couple of seasons back, actually wrote a book "Quilts- Unfinished stories-new endings" which covers exactly what you are talking about, taking an old unfinished top and breathing life back into it. You will be adding something of yourself to it, and I'm sure its maker would be pleased if she knew it was finished.
Kathy

Better to quilt and enjoy rather than languish unfinished.
Remember that the quilt is dated when it is finished or repaired. At least that is what a quilt appraiser told us in a guild program.

Quilt it and enjoy!

Melissa, probably the reason this quilt never got quilted is for the same reason that most of us have UFOs in our cupboards - it takes such a long time to do by hand. I think that people would have quilted quilts by machine in the past if they had known how to do it, and some did. IMHO the original owner would love the fact that you had liked her (or his) quilt enough to BUY it and be just thrilled that you are going to quilt it either way. Go for it girl!

Melissa, you might be interested in this forum topic: [url]forum/hand-and-machine-quilting/5530-ten-antique-quilts[/url]

I absolutely agree that it's not a quilt until it's quilted!!

My thanks to you all for the posts! I too like to think the top's creator would be happy to see it finished and in use.

So, nobody has qualms about it being machine quilted vs. hand-quilted? I'm not sure how common machine quilting was in the 30s.

Regarding dating/aging a newly finished "old" quilt surely the batting and thread don't count? I do have some large pieces of vintage feedsack I could use for the back. Worth it?

Melissa
in Kansas City, Kansas

It's useless to you unquilted. It will still be a top, languishing in your dresser or closet. I happen to think the piecer would be thrilled to 'know' it will be completed and loved.

Yes, there might be a few very special antique tops that a person might find themselves in possession of, that could benefit from an appraisal before finishing. Technically, quilts are dated from the newest addition to them... so a rare, top quality heirloom top from a long time ago, would become a quilt with a current date on it if finished now. That is not totally a forbidden thing, but it does decrease it's antique value.

But a quilt bought on ebay, such as the one shown above, would most likely not be in that rare category, so go ahead and quilt it and use it and love it!

PS. IMHO, There is no such place as Quilters Purgatory!

It's not a quilt until it's quilted. Go for it!

I don't see why not, Here in UK a lady called Lilian Hedley quilted a whole cloth quilt that had been marked in the 30's and then put on the top of the wardrobe for 70 some years. Just remember to record your doings on the label on the back and everything should be fine even if the QP do find out

Is it "just wrong" to machine quilt an inexpensively purchased, vintage 30s feedsack, bow tie/9-patch quilt top?

The bow-tie/9-patch blocks are pretty nicely pieced but the cross-wise sashing doesn't line up (as you can see). The fabric is clean and in excellent condition (strong). The size is somwhere between single and full.

I'd like to finish it/use it for free-motion practice on my HQ Sweet 16 (and have something to show for it when I'm done) but don't want to wind up in quilter's purgatory. Your thoughts on the matter are welcomed.

Thank you! Melissa
P.S. I will be practicing on some quilt sandwiches first of course!