Design Ideas?

Perhaps two decorative cushions (pillows in US? - for sofa, not bed). One with each basket block. Put the flowers in and put a border of the triangles round the edge, and make into a cover (Line the back of the pieced part, so that it doesn't get worn from pulling the cushion pad in and out).

In message , Nancy in NS writes

How old are your daughters?

In those pretty pastel colours they would make two sweet baby quilts for first borns. Pass on the family link to their children.

That's actually a very good idea! Thanks!

Nancy in NS

My girls are 27 and 23 and I do have a 3-week-old grandson. :) I've made him one quilt, but I guess there's no such thing as too many quilts! Another good idea, even if they tuck them away for future grandbabies. :) Thanks!

Nancy in NS

Nancy in NS wrote:

I like to do different sort of things so my recommendation for these basket blocks is also a bit different. First, I would get some small scale realistic floral. Then I would take the top section of the basket block off -- the part that has the handle. I would cut strips of the floral and fuse Wonder Under to it. Then fussy cut the tops of the floral so that the shape of the flowers and leaves are top of the strips. Match the straight bottom of the strip (which you cut to be as wide as you think looks nice with the size of the basket) with the straight bottom of that piece with the handle. Fuse the floral onto the handle piece, appliqué around the floral and attach the piece back to the basket part. You cut cut the strips so that you don't cover the handle if that's what you like and you could also fussy cut the sides of the floral so that they slope down and it looks like the center of the basket is fuller than the sides. I know this isn't really in line with the era in which your aunt made the baskets but it would be something a bit different. You could also incorporate the floral into whatever item you make out of the basket squares. I like the idea of making a table runner or something similar that would display the blocks to their best advantage. What a great idea and such a treasure for you and your DD's. I wish I could come up a great idea for the triangle blocks but nothing comes to mind that would honour the blocks properly :-)! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

Because of the age of the fabrics, very delicate, and the sentimental nature of the quilt blocks, I would not make them into anything that is going to get used.

Today's fabrics would not compliment the older fabrics, and you would not want to cause damage to them. I would suggest some type of framing to display them. I have seen this done and it is a very pretty way to preserve them. You may even with to add UV glass (this filters out the harmful rays).

You need to think like a museum curator and not a quilter. LOL

Jean in MI

Do you know a really good framer? They might be able to offer suggestions for framing, eg would a bit of stabiliser behind be a good idea; would it be possible to use cardboard mounts with more than one aperture, like the ones you see for family photos.

If you used them for practical purposes they would have to be washed, possibly frquently

Another excellent idea! Thank you -- I can see it in my head. :)

Nancy in NS

I actually did think of this, Jean, but both girls live in apartments with wall finishes that don't allow picture hanging. (One plastered...one wood.) Although, one daughter has a lovely mantle that a frame could lean from. Great idea!

Nancy in NS

Thank you Sally and Pat for your input. Everyone has such wonderful ideas and good advice.

Nancy in NS

Throw pillow cover!

I'd probably unpick the little squares into half square triangle blocks. I'd take one basket block and put 20 of the HST squares around it in a pieced border. Now I know 20 isn't enough to go all the way around the basket block, so I'd put four at each corner of the big block with a white block filling out the corner, and 2 white rectangles to fill out the center section of the strip. Two of the border strips would be: white, HST, HST, white, HST, white, HST, HST, white. The other two strips would need to be: HST, HST, white, HST, white, HST, HST.

Clear as mud, right?

Anyway, I thought that would make a nice pillow cover front. You wouldn't have to add a lot of your own blocks, mostly just sew the pieces you already have together, then add a solid colored back, or piece a similar sized block of your own for the back of the cover.

HTH, Debra in VA See my quilts at

Thanks for your very thoughtful suggestions! I like that arrangement and a cushion cover would be an ideal project for both girls.

Nancy in NS