Quilts Handmade By My Grandmother | My Collection Blog Tour
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Good Morning All, Today my friends and I are sharing “what we collect.” I’m sharing my collection of vintage handmade quilts, some made by my grandmother, my mother, and others by unknown makers.
I just updated this post with photos of the quilts I inherited when my parents passed away. Those are in the bottom half of the post.
I use the quilts in every room of our home. Well, maybe not the bathrooms or the kitchen. They’re just too pretty to hide away.
The one pictured above was pieced and quilted made by my sweet Grandma Owen. She gave it to me when I graduated from high school. It’s my favorite. You guys know how I like bright colors.
I filled my vintage radio cabinet with quilts. It makes a great display piece.
The bookcase in our den holds a few of the quilts.
The back bedroom….referred to as the “grandsons’ room”. (now the white bedroom with navy decor)
Another view of the famous “Tricycle Red Radio Cabinet”
This is another quilt made by my grandmother. I inherited this one when she passed away. My grandmother specified who each quilt would go to when she was no longer with us. She had a note safety-pinned to this one with my name on it. Such sweet but also sad memories.
I have no idea how many quilts my grandmother made in her 93 years….but it was a bunch. She had five children, 19 grandchildren, and I lost count of the great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Grandma made quilts for every newborn in the family, as well as the rest of the quilts. My son still has the baby quilt she made for him. She reworked it once because it was falling apart.
Grandma was a fantastic cook too and especially enjoyed making everyone’s favorite food when they came to visit. Her homemade cinnamon rolls and squirrel and dumplings was the best!
When she was finished piecing a quilt, the quilting frame would go up in the back bedroom, and several ladies would spend days finishing the quilt and gossiping. The stitching on the state quilt is beautiful. This quilt is on the bed in the grandson’s room.
Love this color combination.
I purchased the orange and turquoise quilt from the shop where I have my booth. I couldn’t resist the colors
I don’t remember where I purchased most of these quilts.
I don’t have any rhyme or reason when it comes to buying quilts. Usually it’s because I love the pattern and the colors….but the price has to be very reasonable or I will pass it up. I’ve passed up a lot of quilts.
This quilt was a wedding gift from my grandmother when the JTS and I got married. The pattern is “Dresden Plate”. I can only name a few of the patterns.
This is what is called a “cutter quilt” because it is tattered and torn. I will use it in a few upcycle projects.
I like this one because it’s different. Does anyone know what this pattern is called?
patchwork quilts
I do remember buying this quilt a few years ago at Artifacts here in Clarksville. I couldn’t resist the red.
The fabric of this quilt is sooooo soft. I don’t know what the difference is between it and some of the others.
Several of the quilts are really ragged but I love them anyway. I’m pretty sure this pattern is “wedding ring”…or double wedding ring?
This one is another of my favorites, and I have no idea when I purchased it or where.
The ties on this one are a little strange.
I got a little teary-eyed writing about my grandmother. It’s only when your loved ones are gone that you wish you had spent more time with them.
Now for the photos I promised of the quilts I inherited when my parents passed away.
It always amazes me how every color can be in the quilt and it all works, no color clashes, etc.
My favorite patterns are the random-looking ones (although they aren’t random), rather than the Sunbonnet girls, Dresden plate, etc.
Who would think that lilac and navy blue would work together?
I think this quilt is truly a work of art. Some of the quilts are stained, and it is almost impossible to remove the stains. They have been there for years, and since the quilts are so fragile, I haven’t found a good way to clean them. If you have suggestions for me, please chime in!
I mean, look at that pattern and the color combinations. Those are separate little pieces on the “arms” of that 4-sided pattern. Perfect combinations. My grandmother knew what she was doing.
My mother made the butterfly quilt.
My husband bought the red, white, and blue quilt at an auction for $15. What a deal!
Please leave a comment and tell me which quilt was your favorite, then take the tour. Just click on the photo links below.
This post was updated in August of 2026 with new photos and commentary. Have a great day, Kathy
Hi Kathy , It’s hard to choose but I think that I would pick the wedding one . there are several that are really nice . And just a heads up I don’t think that you are supposed to wash them I believe they should be dry cleaned . I had one that my grandmother had made but sadly I no longer have it and she’s no longer here.
What a beautiful collection. I think the quilt with the small curvy repeating shapes is an apple core quilt.
All your quilts are great. So much love goes into making a quilt.Grandmothers are great! Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my mom, grandmother and great grandmother, but I cherish everything they left to me.
All your quilts are great!
I couldn’t pick a favorite…I love them all! I have a quilt we bought from an older lady when we were on our honeymoon in North Carolina. I have a quite my great grandmother made that I inherited when my parents passed away. My other grandmother was not a quilter, but a crocheter and I have several she made. I do have a special pillow made by a special friend years ago from a quilt she had. And I have 2 pillows made from a piece of a quilt topper found at a thrift store.
I definitely love, love the first one you showed that you inherited. I too am an avid quilt “junkie” (lol). Unfortunately there were no quilts for me to inherit, but as I seem to buy everyone I can afford at estates sales and rummage sales, I appreciate all the hand stitching and hard work & love that was put into each one. Some are in such tattered shape, but I use those as cutter quilts and sew either zippered pouches or other simple items that I sell at a fundraiser for the local historical society at Christmastime. No matter how many I make, they always sell out. I believe no one can resist the charm of an antique handmade quilt! By the way, you had me at the title of your post with the words Handmade and Quilts!!
What an absolute treasure you have in all those beautiful quilts made by your family! Both my Mom and my Grandma (Dad’s mom) were quilters…all of us 7 grandchildren got many quilts with our names also safety-pinned on them when she passed and she made us all quilts for our kids who were her great grandkids. My mom made many quilts over the years for me and my siblings including one each for my sister and I made out of the bridesmaid dresses we wore in each other’s weddings…and she made quilts for our kids (her grandkids) including themes of their rooms over the years (tools, rubber ducky, turtle, sunbonnet sue, flag for my Eagle Scout son, cowboy theme when we moved to TX…) she also made 7 baby quilts before she passed away in 2021 – one for each of her grandchildren to give to a great grandchild – none of which she ever lived long enough to meet. What a treasure to have them all! Love your collection…very colorful!
Kathy,
I love quilts also and cannot pick a favorite. However I’ve always loved how you have them stacked in the red radio cabinet. That cabinet is one of my very favorite pieces. ❤️
Your quilts are amazing and very beautiful. My favorite is the red, white and blue one your husband purchased for $15, as you say “what a deal!” I have made a few quilts and love the process and I have several from my husband’s family which I treasure. Sadly, the kids in our family prefer those soft, fleece, fringed throws, to homemade quilts!
Your quilts are amazing! I have 2 twin size quilts that my Great Grandmother made – which I inherited. My dad remembered them being on the beds upstairs in her home. He’d go visit her for a few weeks every summer in the late 30s – 40s. I also have a signature quilt that my Great Grandfather won from the Iowa fair – not sure of the date, but know it was 1920s or earlier. However, I do not use or display my quilts as they are too precious to me.
Kathy, I love all your quilts! My favorite is the state quilt I think. My grandma (also a Kentucky girl) also was a huge quilter and lived to be 97, quilting until the end! She had 4 kids, 7 grandchildren and multiple great grandchildren – we all got quilts for weddings etc and when she died, we found a pile of quilts in a bedroom with names on them – everyone took home quilts – all are treasured! I love your collection of quilts! I have so many that my grandma made and my Mom, her daughter in law, also was a quilter and made her family many – including 7 baby quilts for her great grandchildren – she had 7 grandchildren (she died before she had a great grandchild – but each grandchild will receive one for any future great grandchildren!). I use all of my quilts she and Grandma made and love to show them off! I just cannot buy a quilt in a store now, these homemade ones are the best and I know they are quality made by hand by a loving family member. Nothing better!
Such wonderful quilts!! Thank you for posting them all!!
Wow, Kathy, you have a wonderful collection of quilts!! I don’t even own one…and now I’m sad that I don’t!
Love your beautiful collection. (and the emotional attachment is all the more!)
Nancy
Kathy your quilts are beautiful and I love that your grandmother made so many of them. My grandma also makes quilts and I have a few of them – my son sleeps with a small one every night, it is his cherished blankie! 🙂 (We had to do some repairs to it recently also.) I love all the colors in your quilts and they are stunning in your red cabinet. <3
Kathy, what a beautiful collection. My mom collects quilts and have made a few. I still have one that she handstitched for me when I went away to college. I still cherish it dearly. Thanks for sharing.
~Tami
So lovely. There’s nothing like an old, very soft quilt to curl up in. I also have a nice collection. Not as many as your’s Kathy! Years ago I fell in love with any wedding ring quilts. Probably my favorite of most. The more my quilts are laundered, the softer them become.
WOW! What a magnificent collection! Those are all just precious. I love the state quilt the best, but they are all so special and unique. Even the non-sentimental quilts become sentimental just by being part of your collection! Thanks for playing along!!
The states flowers quilt is one of a kind.
Oh Kathy! How impressive and gorgeous. Every detail and stitch is such perfection. I know each one holds a special place in your heart. I love that your grandmother worked with her hands. I can see where YOU got that talent as well.
Thanks for inspiring me to pull out our vintage quilts.
Make it a lovely week.
xoxo
Sharon — I love the story of your husband rescuing your quilts from the fire. A true act of love.
The most precious thing I own is my grandmothers quilt. I keep it in a cabinet next to the living room. It gets pulled out when anyone need comforting! Works like a charm. 🙂 Jeanette
Hello: I really love quilts, those with red and blues are my favorites. About 30 years ago, our home was burning down. My husband, after getting the 5 kids, dogs, cat, bunnies out of the house, he thought what would she want? He ran upstairs where I kept my quilts (mostly family) and threw them out the window. That is why I dearly love quilts, especially family ones. Enjoy the history!
All of them -although if they were mine probably the one grandma actually gave you would be most cherished. Beautiful memories.
What a special collection that you have. I know that you love displaying and using these made-with-love quilts and I hope that one day your grandchildren will inherit them and love them just as much as you do.
I love vintage quilts…I have a quilt top my grandma made….never finished…but that’s okay…it sits in my pie safe…she used old clothing…things they wore and clothes she found while “goodwilling”…my sister has a finished quilt that has seen better days…and one day she will gather the courage to cut it up and frame squares for us all….
Girl, I LOVE all your quilts! I have a quilt collection in my mind -ha! I seriously would love to collect quilts but the prices! I have a knack for finding ones for $300 and up. The picture of your quilts in the red hutch is one I pinned a long time ago and it’s the first time I discovered your blog. I adore that hutch with the quilts — I think of it every time I think of having a quilt collection! Love, love, love it all. So glad we did this tour — it’s such fun seeing all the great collections! 🙂
Popped in from Better After. Love your quilts. The state one! Favorite by far. It’s so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I love your vintage quilts. Handmade quilts are so beautiful and they tell a story. Lovely collection.
Oh Kathy I adore your quilt collection. They’re all so pretty and colorful. I have a few but not near as many as you. And it’s nice that some of them have special meaning. I have a couple that my great grandmother made that I’ll never part with. Thanks for sharing these with us.