Monday, September 16, 2019

Quirky Little Quilt Rack and the Swiffer Box Quilt

A week or so ago we wandered into a new-to-us little antique-vintage shop a few miles from home.  In our search for a chest of drawers for the spare bedroom (to hold quilts of course!) we also spotted this little rack.

I'll admit I'm always smitten with vintage racks, especially those with neat old metal hardware, the kind you just don't see in the hardware stores today, and with a wonderful patina.  This little beauty filled all the checkboxes in my wish list including its low price.  Is this not just the sweetest little thing?


My guess is that it began life as a towel holder from back in the day when one would find a large pitcher and bowl on a stand for washing up.  Whatever, it has found a new life here!


Standing a mere 30 inches high by 20 inches wide, it's just the perfect size for several small spots in our house, and perfectly sized to hold some of my little finishes from Lori's (Humble Quilts) Fall Sew-alongs.  This one is Country Roads from about five years back.


A week ago we visited my son and his family, and I took along the stitched-together blocks my grandson had created on the design wall when they were here a few weeks back.  The blocks were made from the bonus triangle squares made from the flippy corner cut offs in another quilt I finished last year.  Grandson arranged the blocks in the order he wanted them and decided he still liked the white-brown-black paisley as sashing.  He then chose a Paula Nadelstern print that I've had in my stash for quite a few years as his border.   Wonder if he expected the finished flimsy to turn out like this:

The only fabric I added was the green solid to give the eye a tiny break between the paisley and the border fabrics.  Oh yes, that paisley was a piece of wide leftover binding cut on the bias!  Yeah, bias sashings.

At this point I figured I might as well use up the two Nadelstern prints and piece together some sort of backing. That done I then found enough batting scraps to produce a Frankenbatt which seemed to somehow fit the general theme.

And we're down to just a few tiny pieces to add to the scrap boxes.  I'll pin the quilt on Tuesday and hopefully give it a quick machine quilting and binding by the end of the week.

Remember all those leftover/bonus triangle squares he so carefully placed on the design wall to create his center blocks?  Want to take a guess at the original quilt made with those fabrics?   Here 'tis, finished just about this time last fall.


Til next time, happy Monday and happy quilting!

16 comments:

The Tea Lady's Journal said...

Love your new to you vintage little quilt rack! So unique and interesting. Perfect for displaying your wonderful quilts.

Debbie said...

That is a really cute find for a quilt stand. Love the patina and nice size to use anywhere. Your GS quilt is great! It is so great to pass on to another generation.

Janet O. said...

An adorable little rack. I always hope to find something like that in the thrift stores and antique malls, but nothing so far. You have renewed my hope. :)
The grandson quilt turned out great. I'll bet he will be thrilled when his creation is a finished product. "Ouch" to the bias sashing. That was brave of you.
I recall that final quilt--it is a glorious creation!

Needled Mom said...

That quilt rack is really gorgeous. It has such fun detail. You are brave to tackle bias in borders. They look like they turned out well.

Hill Top Post said...

Amity Quilter, you are just the best! Your collaboration with your grandson on this quilt is something neither of you will be forgetting. I love the quilt and I love the story. The original quilt is a spectacular quilt! Wow!

Ann said...

What a delight your grandson’s quilt is, And what fun for him to create with the leftover triangles. It’s good to learn creativity early.

Kyle said...

Your grandson's quilt us lively, bright, and his own creation. The vintage wooden rack is wonderful and is perfect for the mini quilts to be displayed. A great find.

Chantal said...

I think you score big with that rack regardless of what it used to be. It looks proud to be holding your quilt now.
I so love the quilt in the last picture. Just stunning! Your grandson did an excellent job with the bonus pieces. He has quite an eye for picking fabric. Are you sure this is his first quilt? lol. He did a great job! ;^)

Quilting Babcia said...

Thank you! The last one I found was originally a rug hooking frame - same deal, it was the antique hardware that made it extra special.

Quilting Babcia said...

Thank you so much! I do hope he will like his finished quilt.

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Love love love the little quilt rack - yes that patina! Great find. And you and your grandson make a good design team! I bet he appreciated the near instant gratification of seeing the top completed!

Pat said...

What a charming vintage quilt rack - a perfect find for your sweet quilts! Kudos to your Grandson - a wonderful quilt finish indeed!!

Barbara said...

What a great litle rack! It's the perfect size to show off little quilts. Your grandson should be so proud of himself! Love that border fabric!

Barb said...

that is a fabulous quilt rack! so cute and charming.
Your grandsons quilt is wonderful! hooray - the border fabric sets it off just right!
pretty finish! the streak of lightning border is fab!

Karen said...

Oh what a great find the quilt rack is. Interesting design.

Cathy said...

What a great vintage find. I'll bet grandson is pleased with his creation. Will there be more designs by grandson?