Sunday, October 30, 2005

grab bag mysteries

1920's quilt triangles II

most of the time, grab-bagging at thrifts is pretty uneventful, but there will be that one time when you find the most incredible treasure! i know it is looked down upon to open bags or boxes that are stapled or taped shut, but if you do it carefully, or even ask for help, i think you will thank yourself. i was poking around one of my favorite thrifts, and i stumbled upon a wee box that was taped shut. what are you supposed to do with that - buy it and try your luck or open it and review the contents before you buy it? i, of course, opened it immediately to find what i never thought in a million years i would find. this box that i sneakily opened was stuffed with over 300 feed sack triangles from the 1920's!!! i couldn't believe my eyes! my emotions got the best of me at first, but i caught my cool when i brought the box up to the register. wondering how much all of these beautiful geometric fabric cuts would cost, i was stunned when i heard the clerk say, "is fifty cents ok with you, dear?"

i scored the whole box for fifty cents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

when i got home, i began to brainstorm about the history of these triangles: who did they once belong to, how long did it take to cut all of them, where did all of the fabrics come from, was there a quilt already started, why were they here in a taped box? after thinking about their past, i began to think of their future: what was i going to do with them? so i say, if you see a mystery box or grab bag, go for it - you may have the most wonderful treasure to take home with you!!!

11 comments:

jill said...

"SWOON..." Speechless on the price. You lucky girl, you!

Anonymous said...

How cool is that? We have one local thrift shop that I adore. (And a few others that are -- eh.) They are the same kind of place -- where you walk up to the counter and ask a price and invariably the answer is less than $1.

Yipee for you! Can't wait to see what you make with these!

Liquid Sky Arts said...

That's amazing!
What beautiful vintage fabrics.

Anonymous said...

oh I love the feeling when they say like 50 cents and you tremble with the anticipation of scoring a find like that!

African Kelli said...

If I were to guess, I'd bet these were the border of a "Dear Jane" quilt. The sizes look perfect and the timing would be just right.
My mom has been working on her Dear Jane for more than three years and just finished the border, so I guess it's fresh in my mind!

Faythe Levine said...

um, drool. great score!

Anonymous said...

Yikes! That is the best score! How on earth did you compose yourself as you approached the register? :)

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

doesn't your heart just skip to a happt tune and you are sure everyone can see your glow! How lucky to find a bon bon like that!
You have the knack!

kerry lynn said...

bunting, bunting, bunting ... that's all i've got to say. simply make some bunting!

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

lucky lucky lucky...I'll try not to turn green!! :)

Omar Cruz said...
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