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Mystery Quilt

While I've been spring cleaning I've been parting with some quilts I can't use anymore, but this is one I'll always keep. It's very heavy, worn, and presently too fragile to be used for anything but display. Despite those limitations this is one of my favorite quilts of all time.

The reason I love it is that it's the first hidden quilt I ever found. This quilt was batted with an older quilt that is hidden inside.

Using old, worn-out quilts as batting for new was a frugal way for makers to source batting. It also preserved quilts that were probably much-loved. I had a conserrvator look at this one and she estimated that it dates back to the 1930's, so it's almost 100 years old.

The maker sashed her blocks and created backing out of flour and feed sacks, too, which only adds to the charm of the quilt. I have no idea what the quilt hidden inside looks like; I've never taken it apart. The quilting is pretty dense, and I'd have to pick that apart. Since the fabric is super fragile I'd likely tear it. I don't want to destroy the quilt just to satisfy my curiosity, so I'll just enjoy owning what is forever a mystery.

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