vintage polyester quilt top

My mom and dad are so sweet when they find things at estate sales or garage sales that they think I may like, they will buy them and post them to me. 

In one of the packages my dad sent, were these 3 inch vintage polyester squares that someone had cut and backed with stabilizer.  They had that "old" smell to them so I put them in a delicate bag and washed them up.  Some of the squares lost the stabilizer and curled up madly, so I had to toss some of them.  But I was able to save most. 

This pillow was the first project I made from them

and now I have this 31X31 little baby quilt.

It's pretty heavy, so to cut down on some weight, I think I'm just going to back it with some flannel, no batting. 

What do you think?  And how would you quilt this little gem?  Or would you tie it?  Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Penny

p.s.  The Tiffany snail lamp giveaway is still going on, so go here and enter!  There aren't too many who have entered so far, so your chances are pretty good!

Comments

[Leslie]

I say tie. I have a couple of polyester quilts from grandmas and I personally think they look better tied. I think the fabric itself does better as well. What great finds! Parents are great that way!

[Allie]

How nice of your parents!!! I agree with tying.....and just the flannel on the back. Lovely!

[Jessica J.]

Please tie it. I too had quilts from my Grandma, and they were tied. It just fits.

[Bev C]

Oh you have done a wonderful job with the cushion. Something plain and simple with the quilt I think. Happy days.

[Dayna]

So cute, Penny! Isn't it great when parents support our hobbies? My dad occasionally picks up little kitchen gadgets for me, and my mom has taken the girls and me to the fabric store on several occasions. It's so special, though, when we're nowhere around and they still pick things up. No wonder you're so sweet! You must come from good stock! :-)

I don't think I'd tie the quilt. I'm not sure that I can offer any suggestions, though, because you're the pro and I'm the novice!

[shelly]

Cute stuff! I luv it!

[Sarah]

Wow, that's just like a baby quilt that my aunt made for my daughter! It was backed with a solid color polyester (no batting) and just machine quilted around each square and bound around the edges. Definitely held up with washings! My daughter (now closing in on 26) has passed it on to her daughter (age 3). And it's still in great condition.

[Kim]

I have a fondness for poly - and have a few quilts made of it now. You can really USE a poly quilt - they wear like iron! I usually use a lightweight blanket for the batting, a nice sheet for the back and tie it or just bind it. Good luck! (My oldest poly blanket is over 30 yrs old and still looks great!)

[Judy]

How sweet of our parents. You did a fantastic job putting everything to good use.

[Connie Keirns]

I definitely vote for tying...it just seems to fit the material.

[Thimbleanna]

When I was a kid, all the ladies at our church used to make polyester quilts out of big squares for fund raisers. Such a memory! I think the flannel backing would be plenty -- how 'bout big x's in each block -- i.e., big quilted lines running diagonally through each block? And stop telling people about your giveaway, you're cutting into our chances LOL!

[jenn]

Hope I am not to late! Flannel it and tie it!

[Amy - parkcitygirl]

Did you decide yet!? I might try to grid quilt it, only because as a baby quilt it will be washed LOTS :)

[Hannah]

I think I would tie the quilt, but that's probably because I have fond memories of sleeping under a similar one at my grandparents beach cabin and it was tied.

[Jody Blue]

I have a quilt made from the old double knit polyester, our kids call it "the 70's blankie" it is tied and only has a very worn needs replaced sheet as backing, it is tied and has held for the past 25 years.

[Lisa]

i don't know why but for some reason it seems like polyester quilts should be tied. it gives it that real "vintage" look, i suppose.
ssshhh, don't say anything about the snail lamp giveaway... the less entries the better chance i have at winning!! ha ha

[Liesl]

Oh, how cute! I'd probably hand quilt a circle inside each square but I have this thing with quilting in circles lately.
I think tying it would be a smart (and cute) way to go for a baby quilt.

[jacquie]

tying would be cute, but i think i'd diagonally grid quilt it very simply through the center of the squares. simple would be good on this. (it's really beautiful too in an old fashioned kind of way)

[Candace]

Wow - I've been away Penny, so you may have already decided, but I would definitely tie this quilt - it's wonderful! You could even use it as a "picnic" quilt! So neat that your mom and dad find these goodies for you!
Cheers!

[Beth]

Gorgeous squares! The vintage fabrics have a very cozy look.

[DONNA]

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE AS TO THE DIFFERENT SIZE BLOCKS. ALSO ANY SPECIAL DESIGN IN THE SQUARES.IE DIAGONAL ETC.I HAVE TONS OF BRAND NEW POLY KNITS.THEY HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE CLOSET FOR UMPTEEN YEARS.THEY ARE FROM A DESIGNER FACTORY THAT WENT OUT OF BUSINESS 40 YEARS AGO.I NEED TO GET BUSY WITH SOME KIND OF PROJECT.THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE...

[Janice]

I made a quilt of 6" double knit squares with a thick batting, flannel backing, and tied it with yarn. It is my favorite naptime quilt and has gone on all of our camping trips since I made it several years ago. It has been washed many times and looks as good as new.