What should I do with antique quilts?

[Dangerously Amused]

A relative just gave me two quilts, nearly 100 years old. Not the pretty patchwork kind, but the kind where they just sewed two sheet-sized pieces of fabric together, then stuffed it with loose wool, then placed ties through the fabric every few inches to (kind of) keep the wool in place. But by now the wool is all bunched up and the quilts are no longer functional.

I hate adding to landfills if there is still a good use for something. All I can think of so far is to pull the wool out and put it in this wicker bird cage-like thing that I set outdoors in the spring, filled with small bits of soft, natural textiles leftover through the year, so the birdies can have some nice nest building materials.

But you guys always have good ideas. Is there a better use for the wool/quilt? Should I try to find someone who spins wool and give it to them? Or would the wool be like, too old to be recycled that way?

Thanks!

[Guava Jelly]

1. Try ebay

You may find a collector?
:)

[Dangerously Amused]

2. Hey, that's a good idea!

Thanks!

:hi:

[Guava Jelly]

3. No prob!

Are you sure it isn't stuffed with llama hair? :silly:
:hi: D_A

[Dangerously Amused]

10. Llamas!!!1!

:loveya:



:hi:

[Guava Jelly]

11. LLAMAS

:loveya:

[Dangerously Amused]

12. Heee! :D

:bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

4. i would think a spinner could use it

don't know where you are, but Google it.

Warpy (here on DU) is a spinner and weaver, maybe PM her?

[Dangerously Amused]

7. Ooh, thanks for that!

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Contact your local quilter's guild

There are some quilt collectors who would love to have a chance to restore them or at least to recycle the parts into modern quilts.

http://www.quiltguilds.com/

[Dangerously Amused]

8. Thanks so much for the link!

That's exactly what I was wondering, if they are useful to someone who would value them in a way that I don't.

I will look into this.

[yewberry]

6. If no one buys them

you could probably donate them to an animal shelter or rehab center.

[Dangerously Amused]

9. Another good thought! Thanks!