What Do You Do With Old Quilts?

I have a fondness for old quilts. Some of them, I hang on my walls; they add color and warmth to a room. Others, I put on beds or use as covers for the backs of sofas and chairs. From others, I cut out parts that I like and make pillows, bags, and framed pictures.

The quilts I love were made by hand. The fabrics are old and soft. Often the colors have been subdued over time, and are very mellow looking. I like to think of the women who made them, of all the time and love that went into them. I like to give them new life. But mostly I love them because they are beautiful.

This week, I made this little pillow out of old quilt pieces:


I found these little pillows on e-bay. They are also made from old quilt pieces.


These sit on a shelf in my kitchen. I think they add more charm than all the granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the world.