Vintage Quilts

of all the antiques out there, quilts may be the one that grew my interest in old things the most. i always remember the feeling of a quilt whether in laura ingalls wilder’s stories from the prairie or in learning more about the simple art of who + what makes a quilt so special, i was shown how these blankets could hold a kind of healing property. it was in the way our mom would tuck each of us into the couch with her “magic blankie” anytime we were sick, in need of soup + a little extra care. as soon as we were under the cover, the recuperative rest could begin.

---

so it came as no surprise when one summer in the mountains we walked into a weekend antique show hosted inside a high school gym + my mom turned to me to ask “what are you hoping to find?” + i replied, “a good quilt!”.

spending time in the cooler summer temperatures of the highlands-cashiers plateau of north carolina must have been the ultimate driver, as i would often envision cozying up with a book in a rocking chair or porch swing. a patchwork quilt of my own was the only piece missing + i felt sure it would be the key to finally getting comfortable enough to read multiple chapters in one sitting.

inside the school gym, the search began + i soon found exactly what i was looking for. after some friendly bargaining, i proudly carried it out folded up in my arms. i can easily think back to how many times i snuggled up under that blanket thru that vacation week + the way i’d carefully lay it across my bed each night as that perfect extra layer when sleeping with the windows open–just writing that feels like a warm hug! nothing warms up a room quite like an old worn-in quilt + having this one i hand-picked myself made it even better.

i still have this lovely find today + remember that summer in the smoky mountains each time i unfold it + glance over all the squares. whenever i do, it has me imagining once again who owned the scraps that give the blanket it’s unique character + the stories each of those cotton threads could tell. were they a shirt? an apron? a baby blanket? an extra scrap in the sewing box? it’s all these small squares that add up to the coziest blanket i own + i cherish it as my first piddlin’ find. the following fall, i took that quilt with me to college + it was the finishing touch at the foot of my bed, once again making my space feel like my own, reminding me of the value of knowing what you’re looking for + why. collecting random objects is one way of piddlin’ but when each find holds some meaning, that is what gives a value added to whatever space the object lands in.

take a look at some vintage quilts + a few ways to enjoy them i’ve collected over on my piddlin’ pinboard

when we visited my parents before making our move across the country this summer, my mom asked if she could give a quilt to both of our girls, something to carry with them on our journey. after having just sorted through all our belongings + determining what to pack up, this felt like such a thoughtful gift. hopefully their appreciation for these blankets grow with time…the first weekend with the blankets, they said it felt like “she’s here with us” as they snuggled up to watch a movie + i smiled knowing they were on their way to having their very own “magic” blankets.

there’s something about cozying up with a soft, well-worn quilt that elevates the familiar sense of comfort. these antiques are literally built different. if there was just one old thing you’d consider having in your home i’d recommend this one every time. quilts instantly soften the feel of any room + even one is enough to personalize a space, making it feel more familiar, warm + inviting. it’s likely to come in handy just when you need it most.

quilts are one of those vintage staples, they may trend from time to time + even masquerade as quilted coats + jackets–like these dreamy creations x lady lancaster— but they remain a timeless find that you aren’t soon to regret. i hope you find one to call your “magic blankie” just in time for a cozy season ahead.