Lessons from an Old Churn Dash Quilt || What Can We Learn?

[@vickiemihelich5994]

What a treasure. Can’t wait to see what you uncover!!

[@SewtheDistance]

So excited to share tomorrow! ❤️

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Kris, I love old quilts! I am going to have to go back and watch your other videos on Lessons from old quilts! Great video!

[@SewtheDistance]

Thanks, Michelle! I just love them! i have been collecting them for over 20 years now and have a lot of them (well over 100!). So much fun and so much to learn from these beauties!

[@LawandaFinch]

What a beautiful timepiece of a treasure. You blessed girl. You have a sweet daddy.

[@SewtheDistance]

I really do! Thank you so much! ❤️

[@sueohara1574]

Sew fun!! And sew glad I can’t smell it. And $2. The gifts this quilt keeps giving is amazing. Can’t wait to see the one in the middle.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! The new video is up! THREE quilts in all! I am so happy my dad bought this beauty for me! ❤️

[@jonellwagner9871]

Wow, what a find, I get so excited to find surprises 😮

[@SewtheDistance]

It was so exciting, for sure! Glad you enjoyed this video!

[@annemegis]

You're like a kid on Christmas morning! So cute! I can understand your excitement!

[@SewtheDistance]

LOL! I LOVE these quilts! 😍 Thank you so much!

[@greenyonder]

Yay! A bonus quilt!

[@SewtheDistance]

YES! Can't wait to share on Wednesday! ❤️

[@dianehuntley2493]

Loved seeing the surprise😮

[@SewtheDistance]

Isn't it amazing!? I was shocked!

[@gerryfix1009]

Eager to see the inside quilt! ❤❤❤

[@SewtheDistance]

It holds another surprise, too! The new video is up! Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXO8qKajoLqEoLc

[@margm4]

Hi Kris…what a lovely surprise for you! Love seeing your excitement, as usual. How interesting the quilt underneath! I thought when I first saw your gift that it was made for a man. To me looked masculine! It looks smelly too! Can’t wait to see you separate the quilts, getting rid of that old batting. Your dad did good finding that treasure❤️🇦🇺

[@SewtheDistance]

My dad is the greatest, isn't he? It is masculine, but that pink was really bright in its day, so who knows? Thanks so much for watching, as always! ❤️

[@joanreed2821]

Kris, love that old quilt. I have one that is all 1 inch pieces and hand quilted! It has some stitches coming apart and I'll have to fix them before I put the backing on it. I can't believe your dad only paid 2 dollars for it. That was a steal. Have fun tearing it apart and save what you can.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! I am still stunned that he got it for $2, too! So excited he did! ❤️

[@barbarasinopoli7690]

I love this one so much, I had to watch it again!

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh, thank you!! So happy to you love it! This quilt is really is great! ❤️

[@saffronflora]

How awesome ❤

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you!

[@glynisreynolds446]

How lucky are you 🎉 I cannot believe that you can buy a quilt for just TWO dollars 🤷‍♀️ Hope that we get to see more of this quilt 👏👏🇬🇧

[@SewtheDistance]

I know! Such a great price! New video coming out tomorrow on this quilt! Can't wait to share!

[@sewbeitquilts]

This quilt is absolutely amazing Kris, but I do have to mention that I am grateful that I can’t smell it through this video! 😂

[@SewtheDistance]

LOL! Oh, come on! That's part of the charm! 😂😂😂

[@Stoffmonster467]

I got recently a very aromatic set of blocks, pieces, fabric and batting to complete for an old man, it was started by his wife. She is dead since 20 years.

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh boy! What a labor of love! ❤️

[@karin0963]

What a cool surprise! I love your excitement and enthusiasm with these old quilts.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! I love them! ❤️

[@lorrainemcgeough9596]

Well, your Dad got a treasure I think. You sure are excited about undoing this quilt but now I am excited to see what your find. How in the world will you get the "stinky" smell out of the blocks that you are going to try and save??? The quilt reminds me of something my grandmother would have made many years ago. She used any fabric she could find in worn out clothing. The pink blocks remind me of a house dress that possibly the maker had. Can't wait to see the results of this deconstruction of the quilt.

[@SewtheDistance]

So excited you love these, too! As for the smell, I have a concoction I use that is a mix of vinegar, baking soda, and detergent. Depending on how much it is soiled, how old it is, etc. determines how much I use. Fresh air also does wonders for the smell. I will keep you posted on the progress! Looking forward to a nice day so I can wash them! ❤️

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

It’s a great quilt

[@SewtheDistance]

It is so amazing! ❤️

[@karlabergwalker3332]

Really enjoy your discussions of old quilts! You have certainly trained your dad to find these treasures!

[@SewtheDistance]

He is good! LOL! Thank you so much!

[@SewtheDistance]

Here it is! The big reveal! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXO8qKajoLqEoLc I made a mistake! This is the Shoo Fly quilt block, not the Churn Dash! So sorry! I realized my mistake after I posted the video. ❤

[@sewbeitquilts]

We have to wait!!!! What!? 😊❤

[@karin0963]

Looking forward to it. 😊

[@sueharber2496]

Cannot wait, lessons from an old quilt is the best quilt series on KZbin!!

[@SewtheDistance]

@@sewbeitquilts LOL! Soon!

[@SewtheDistance]

@@sueharber2496 Wow! Thank you so much! ❤

[@deenagraham5488]

Buy dad an extra Father's Day gift for thinking of his "daughter"!! He definitely knows where you heart is (old quilts😀). Looking forward to Wednesday! Thanks for sharing another great video.

[@SewtheDistance]

He's a great guy, for sure! ❤️❤️❤️ I cannot wait for Wednesday either! I am so excited to SHARE! 😍

[@quiltgram3056]

Just delightful!!! Churn Dash is my favorite of the ‘old blocks’. I still remember sleeping under one my grandmother made when we visited her on her farm.

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh, I love when these quilt videos bring back memories for viewers! It makes it all worth it! Thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@jillstrickland9336]

I love it! So cool!

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank. you! ❤️

[@barbarasinopoli7690]

Another Old Quilt video, happy day!! These might be my favorite things on the internet. And how thrilling to discover another quilt inside! I hope you can save all or most of both quilts. The churn dash blocks are very bold and graphic, and I can’t wait to see what the older quilt inside looks like. Thank you for this series, it’s always a great day when you upload another episode!!

[@SewtheDistance]

Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words! I love sharing these and I am thrilled you love watching! So much fun! ❤️

[@maryannboyd5007]

Double treasure. Can't wait to see the inside quilt unveiled!!

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh, it is so good! Can't wait to share!

[@cherylcurlee3279]

What a terrific find! Can't wait to see the reveal and know what you plan to do with it.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! Video will be posted tomorrow afternoon! Can't wait to share! ❤️

[@susanonealsmith8434]

Wow!! A quilt in a quilt?! Amazing! Can't wait to see what you do with them. So much history there - loved this!

[@SewtheDistance]

YES! And this beauty holds yet another surprise! Wait until you see! The new video is up!

[@susanonealsmith8434]

@@SewtheDistance Oh wow, how exciting!! I'll watch it as soon as I can!!

[@lindaeselunas1639]

I love your excitement and enthusiasm! I can't wait until Wednesday.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! It gets even more exciting! Wait until you see! ❤️

[@annettegraff8323]

My grandma did that as well !

[@SewtheDistance]

Love it! ❤️

[@barbarasinopoli7690]

Can you do a video on the churn dash block? Or do you have one already? I love these traditional blocks for my scrap quilts and I would love to see how you would make one. Thanks for this marvelous series!!

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! I made a video on the Shoo Fly block, which is similar and based on an old quilt. Here's a link to it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5mmlp-Fbr11Y9Esi=bnCrnj9O5K8Wt4OO I can do one one the churn dash block! Great idea. I have my content calendar planned for the rest of the year, but I can see what I can do for 2024. Thank you for the suggestion! ❤️

[@francesgraves4550]

You are awesome. I love your lessons from an old quilt. A friend showed me one the other day and I thought of you! Her mother in law made it probably 50 years previous and she was going to try to repair the binding which was quite worn and give to a Grandaughter. Which would make it her Great grandmothers quilt. How awesome!

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh my goodness! I love this! Thank you for sharing and for thinking of me! Quilts are magical!

[@lorimulder9836]

I am restoring my great grammars churn dash quilt top BY HAND, made around 1910s. My great grandparents were married in 1911. I see clothing, mourning clothes, work shirts, and the background is what was once white and feels like the white dish towels we use now, almost the same feel as art gallery fabric. She came from Holland at 11, so some fabric may be from Holland. I romantically think it was part of her trousseau. She may have just gotten a sewing machine as some is sewn by machine, but blocks are hand pieced

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh, wow! That is incredible! What a wonderful story and history you have in this quilt! So glad you are restoring it. That’s amazing! Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@suestutzle2779]

Years ago people lived in a waste not, want not society. Nothing was thrown out that could be used. This quilt is a good example of this. Someone had a nice snug quilt with an 'extra' one tucked inside. We should be more frugal sometimes.

[@SewtheDistance]

I totally agree! We live in a disposable society for sure. We (myself included) need to be more like this. ❤️

[@deborah1555]

Watched Erica Arndt Sewing Room Makeover with felt design wall and thought you might like her paint color for your wall.

[@SewtheDistance]

I will have to watch! Thank you!

[@Carol_Sews]

Your excitement is contagious. I can’t wait to see the quilt inside. I agree with the theory that this quilt was made by multiple generations, and the pink print was either what someone had on hand, or it was the best choice at a local store. That pink print looks like it’s more suited to a dress than to a quilt.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! The new video is up and there are actually THREE quilts in all! I was so excited! ❤️

[@judithsargent9671]

While I do not have your expertise, I know this lovely old quilt by shoofly, I have made both a shoofly and a churn dash quilt, and while similar, they are slightly different. This one is one of your coolest old quilt. Thanks for sharing. And please correct me if I am wrong.

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so right! This was completely my mistake. Thank you so much for mentioning it! ❤️

[@bellaannecgoff2335]

❤❤❤

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! ❤️

[@silverpromidi]

Oh golly!!

[@SewtheDistance]

It's exciting! ❤️

[@silverpromidi]

@@SewtheDistance we are already Wednesday ... oh the agony of having to wait for you guys to catch up in time with us 🤣🤣🤣

[@SewtheDistance]

LOL! Did you watch? I can't put up videos back to back because KZbin won't show the second one, so I had to wait! LOL! I hope you got a chance to watch! ❤️

[@silverpromidi]

@@SewtheDistance I did and shared both these videos with a quilter friend 💖

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! ❤

[@bevtam.9429]

Have you ever been contacted by anybody who recognised one of the vintage quilts that you rescue? Loved this one.

[@SewtheDistance]

Great question! No, I haven't yet! I do look on the "lost quilt" websites and look to see if anyone is looking for a family quilt, however. I had one stolen once (my own creation) and know how devastating it can be.

[@Quiltlady9]

I had that happen to me many years ago, still have the inside quilt. The outer one was absolutely shredded. Congratulations on your awesome find. Love your channel.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! It is exciting! I am surprised this is the first one I found like this. I have been looking and looking for one for my collection. ❤️

[@robingoodgion650]

If this quilt was done like the quilts my family. Gramma hand pieced, mom did not . She would get Grammas blocks and put the blocks together by machine. Me the daughter quilted them. Mom did the binding. Color choice was what Gramma had on hand and what the scrapes friends have her.

[@SewtheDistance]

OHHH! I wonder if that is what happened! What a great way to share the art of quilting! Thank you for sharing this! I love hearing about the process!

[@TheKcderf]

What a treasure ur dad found. Anxious to see the unvailing.

[@SewtheDistance]

Isn't it great? I am so grateful for him! I can't wait until Wednesday either! I want to share everything I found!

[@kathleenstorer691]

That is so cool! I found a second back under a the back of a quilt I was rehabbing-I can relate to the wow factor of the surprise!!!

[@SewtheDistance]

Thanks, Kathleen! It is so cool!

[@sewquilty]

What a fabulous find!! Personally it looks like someone either inherited the Old churn dash blocks or bought them & then made new(er) blocks to finish a "new" quilt. Some of the dots & dark burgundy look 1970s but the 2 stripe blocks are REALLY OLD--I would guess 1900? I suggest getting a good museum guide to old fabrics to help you date them. There is some old, old fabrics in some of these blocks. I live in Virginia so we have both the Colonial Williamsburg museums & fabric conservators plus the Virginia Quilt Museum to help date fabrics. But you live in PA? One of the best fabric conservation labs in the USA is there. Hope this helps. LOVE, LOVE This Series!!

[@SewtheDistance]

YES! I have been studying and dating fabrics/linens/quilts for years, and this is great advice! Adding to this list are books by Barbara Brackman or Eileen Jahnke Trestain. Great resources! There are so many out there. Yes, I am in PA, but we just moved back here from Massachusetts a few years ago. We lived in MA for 27 years, but grew up in Pennsylvania. I will look into it! I miss the Lowell Quilt Museum in Massachusetts and all the resources there for collectors like me. I will check out the conservators here, too! Are you a member of American Quilt Study Group? That's another fantastic resource! Thank you so much for the tips!

[@dianamorrison5229]

Hi Kris, I’m looking forward to seeing the second quilt! I’m really glad it’s not “smell-o-vision” if it stinks as bad as you say. Looking at the different fabrics on this churn dash quilt, do you think they came from different garments, some look like they could be dresses but others would definitely be shirts.

[@SewtheDistance]

LOL! Smell-o-vision would be perfect for lots of things except this quilt. 😂 It had a strong smell of motor oil, so I think it was used in a garage. I hope to get the smell out. My guess is the fabrics were from garments or garment scraps. I wish I knew for sure! ❤️ The second video is up!

[@gailg129]

This is so interesting! Can't wait to see what other surprises emerge!

[@SewtheDistance]

I can't wait to share! So excited! ❤️

[@susansmith9791]

My son's girlfriend gave me a quilt that her grandmother had done to repair and finish. She said her grandmother would hand sew the squares when she was with family and stuff and would go home and machine stitch them together.

[@SewtheDistance]

Love this! So exciting! I just love repairing these old beauties! Enjoy! ❤️

[@jewelgaither1504]

I read a book about three sisters who lived in their late parents' home and found a "Hidden Quilt" in one of the quilts in the trunk. Guess what?! I guessed your surprise before you told us! My mom has made a new quilt top for our worn out quilts when I was a child and we "tied" them. You just used what you had to make what you could to keep your family warm. (I was raised by depression era parents and lived through the 1970s and 1980s when times were really hard for us.)

[@SewtheDistance]

Love it! Thank you for sharing! I think you will really love the next surprise in this quilt then! ❤️

[@melindamckenry6368]

Any idea how old the quilt is? I really enjoy your old quilt videos. Thank you for sharing your Dad's $2 find.

[@SewtheDistance]

It turns out there are THREE quilts in all! I have the deconstruction video up that goes over all the dates. I believe the top quilt (the one you can see in this video) was made in the 1930s/40s, but I am not completely sure. The fabrics in the shoofly blocks (I made the mistake and called them churn dash but they are shoofly) are old, but the pink fabric is from the 1930s/40s. That's my best guess!

[@deahibdon2540]

This is a Shoo Fly not Churn Dash . I do love your appreciation of old quilts.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! Oops! I appreciate you letting me know about my error. ❤️

[@suzanne529]

Do you wash the quilts before you work on them? Especially the stinky ones? Can't wait for Wednesday!

[@SewtheDistance]

Great question. I didn't because I was afraid they would fall apart more, but I just finished recording and maybe I should have washed them first. LOL! So much dust! WAIT until you see! I am so excited! It will be up on Wednesday! Finishing touches added tomorrow! I am so excited to share!

[@booomanchu]

​@@SewtheDistance what do you use to wash? I just bought some Orvus to clean of all things our family member's headstones. Imagine my surprise to learn it's also used on quilts. It's a biologic detergent and it's even used on horses and dogs. While researching the product most advice says just let it soak and allow a gentle spin and rinse. I have a quilt tg as t my sister rescued I'm going to try it on this weekend.

[@SewtheDistance]

I haven't tried Orvus, but I am going to now! Thanks for the tip! I usually use a mixture of a detergent called Bizz (purchased from Walmart), vinegar, and baking soda. I don't have a set recipe because it really depends on the quilt's age, condition, amount of dirt, etc. I usually start slow and get more aggressive, depending on how much it is soiled. Each situation is so different! I usually avoid using a washing machine because it can tear a quilt, so I wash them in a tub in the yard or in a bathtub. i usually hang them on a clothes line with lots of suppose so the weight doesn't tear the quilt. I have a video on this on another platform (rhymes with ClickClock--lol!) where you can see some of the quilts on the line. 😊

[@susanvoth5831]

I love this playlist. I’m watching it for the second time. However, I would like to mention that this block is Shoofly not Churn Dash.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! I realized my mistake after I posted. Thank you for mentioning it, too! I hate when I accidentally put the wrong information out there. I think I pinned it in the comment section, but this is the perfect reminder to go look. Thanks again! More Lessons from an Old Quilt to come! ❤️

[@susanvoth5831]

@@SewtheDistance After I made and posted the comment I discovered that you did indeed correct yourself. I’m sorry and should have done a little research before posting. Looking forward to more Lessons From and Old Quilt.

[@SewtheDistance]

That's okay! I think it is important to make sure the correct information is out there whenever possible. I appreciate it you sharing it with the community in your comment! There are many mistakes I don't catch, so it is always better to say something than not. You never know! ❤️❤️❤️

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Someone needed that quilt (the Nine Patch); but, it had gotten into bad shape. It takes a long time to patch and repair an old quilt by hand. So they made a new top to cover up the old top. They may have put a new back over the old back also. Then they put new binding on it. They quilted by machine because it is faster (and because the inside quilt had already been quilted). At a quilt show (some years ago) a quilt was brought in (for everyone to view) that had three old quilt tops inside it. Because of World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II, people could not afford to dump a quilt that could be repaired and reused again. During World War II many items could not be bought even if you had the money to buy (because everything was going into the War effort). "Fix it up, make it do, or do without." I repaired an old quilt made by my mother. After I finished it, my children did not want it (because, it was too small for their Queen sized beds). I gave that quilt to someone outside of the family who really wanted it. I will never spend so much time and effort repairing another quilt again. However, I do have an old Log Cabin Quilt that I made. The top now has many holes in it; but, the back still looks new. I may remove the binding, make a new top for it, machine quilt the new top on, and sew on new binding. By using my scraps (from my many scrap boxes), I can make that old quilt look new again. By using a sewing machine, I can make it happen faster.

[@SewtheDistance]

All so true! Thank you for sharing you experiences with old quilts! ❤️

[@sharonpowell650]

I have some old quilts that my husband’s ex mother-in-law made. Some are hand quilted and some are machine quilted. Since they hold no sentimental value to me (or to him🤪), I may repurpose some of them as you have done. I know some people repair them, but I’m not into that!

[@SewtheDistance]

Love it! Any way to honor the maker is good, in my opinion! ❤️

[@peggystong8413]

How would you clean a quilt in this shape? Stains I could live with but not the smell

[@SewtheDistance]

Great question! Each quilt is so different, so it hard to offer "one size (quilt) fits all" advice. For this one, I am cleaning after I take it apart. I will hand wash it and air dry it. It all depend on the condition, age, etc. Hope this helps! The smell is pretty strong! LOL!

[@deliad8826]

@@SewtheDistance I hope you know that I am a very respectful viewer but I must ask; aren't you a little concerned about buggies and dust mites making themselves at home in your home? Your love and enthusiasm for this quilt is so wonderful but I got a bit concerned with you handling it without your hands protected.

[@annettegraff8323]

​@@SewtheDistanceThis is what I do Easier to spot areas of concern that are hidden and get rid of batting which has seen better days ! In this case exposing a treat !

[@SewtheDistance]

Great question! And I understand completely! When i am concerned about that, I will put them in a sealed bag and put them in a freezer for a few days, or even leave them out in the cold, if it is wintertime. So far, I haven't had an issue. It really concerns my husband, however. LOL! It is weird, but I feel like these quilts "talk" to me. I know, I know, crazy, isn't it? I get a feeling when I need to do something special with them. For example, I thought about washing this one first before doing anything else, and I got a feeling that I shouldn't. I am so happy I didn't knowing what I know now! These quilts never let me down. I have learned to trust my gut with them and what they are "telling" me.

[@deliad8826]

@@SewtheDistance 🥰🥰

[@jennyharris2993]

Yuck. I wouldn’t want that if someone offered it to me for free.

[@SewtheDistance]

I understand this and respect you opinion. ❤️