Tuesday, January 20, 2009

MEMORIES FROM A QUILT

While looking through my cedar chest tonight I came across several quilt tops that have not been quilted. There are some that I know were pieced by my mother and her two sisters, but the one above was made for me by my grandmother. She died in February of 1960 so this quilt top was pieced in the late 1950's. I remember when my mother gave me this after I married and told me that my grandmother made this one just for me. I was the youngest grandchild and I guess this was the last quilt she pieced. I can't believe I haven't had it quilted. I know that there are ladies who still quilt by hand, and that's how I want this one done. In the next picture you'll see why.

I turned the quilt top over and you can see that she sewed each piece together by hand. This took some time. I was just a little girl when she went to heaven, but I do have some memories of her. Seeing this quilt brings them back and looking at all the tiny stitches that she put in makes it even more special. I must learn this beautiful art of quilting.

25 comments:

Cassie Fields said...

That really is a beautiful quilt, it always amazes me when I see that kind of work done by hand. Every little thread with love and care meant just for a special someone.

April said...

Sue,

I absolutely love your quilt...such an interesting pattern. My grandma used to quilt all the time, by hand. I have a quilt that she made me when I turned 18 and I cherish it now more than ever...she passed away in the late 80's. Everytime I look at it, I'm reminded of all the work she put into it...just for me.

Carol said...

What a beautiful quilt!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

A beautiful quilt...love the blue and white and you are so lucky to have it and know it was made with love for you:)
Rondell

Tami said...

Sue~
What gorgeous quilt and such precious memories that go along with it! Love the blue and white!

Have a wonderful day!

NanaNor's said...

I loved this post. I am a quilter, although I piece by machine I do hand quilt and prefer it. My mom didn't quilt but my hubby's grandmother did and we have several antique quilts-which I cherish. You do such fine hand-work that I'm sure you'd love quilting, it is so relaxing. Blessings. Noreen

codie lee said...

maybe you should start a life group...
where you learn how to quilt...
i promise i will come to every meeting...
pinky promise....

I really wanna learn how to quilt too!
My Nannie always said she would teach me but now her eyes are too bad to see what she is doing.. so she wont...
Anyways... I think it's awesome you have your grandmother's quilting!

Shannon said...

Oh wow, that is so beautiful. It truly is a lost art I think. Thanks for sharing.

Edwina at The Picket Fence said...

The quilt is really pretty. I need to do a post on the quilt that my husbands Grandmother did for us. Such love went in to it

Nana said...

Sue it's beautiful. We all have several of moma's quilts – (and a few of my aunt and uncles also); she did all of hers by hand too. She wouldn't do them on a machine - piecing or quilting. I wish I had learned from her!!

I remember playing under the quilts when she'd have one in the rods. It would take up the entire dinning room for days and days, and my aunt, church ladies, neighbors, etc. would all come over and sit and quilt for hours :)

Sharon said...

That is a priceless treasure! And it is beautiful. I have two quilt tops that were pieced by Charlie's great grandmother, probably in the late forties or early fifties. I had one of them quilted by a group of elderly church ladies who had quilted for years. I'm not sure that was the best thing to do. I don't know but they used a bed sheet as the back and somehow it doesn't look right or feel right. I have since wished that I had checked with the experts to see if quilting the top decreased it's value. I'm sure you could learn to quilt and do it yourself! You could make some small lap quilts to get ready for your grandmothers. She would really be pleased to know you did it yourself. Just a thought - it is a beautiful quilt. ♥Sharon♥

Angie said...

Such a beautiful and special quilt! The dress you made is just adorable - great job!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Wow - imagine the love and care that went into each stitch. What a treasure!!

Anonymous said...

Hey who is doing the quitlting classes at church

Debi said...

oh Sue dear,
what a lovely quilt!! And to know your grandmother made it specially for you!! Priceless!
I have the one my mothers mother made for me... she gave it to me when I got married... and I have NEVER had such a special gift since! I treasure mine!! As I know you do too! :D Mine is done by hand, sewn and quilted!! My mother just pieced a quilt top for me... and the Luthern Church ladies are quilting it right now... (they hope to be done about the second week of February) I can't wait to see it!! I am thinking I need to learn how to do this too... before it becomes a lost art. I want my grandchildren to charish them too.
I hope your having a wonderfully blessed day dear!
Debi xo

Sue said...

Debi Andrews is leading the Quilting Group, but Alta Caddell will be teaching it. It will be on Thursday nights beginning in Feb. I am taking the class myself...I want to learn this.

Debi said...

Thank you my dear Sue,
for stopping by and your sweet comments!! You always brighten my day dear! God bless all of us when he gave us you!! :D
Thanks dear.
Debi xo

Kamin said...

Sue that is so funny! I remember the days when she was always cold!!! But those are no more..trust me! =)

Farmhouse Blessings said...

It's so special that you have a quilt made specially for you by your grandmother. That is a treasure. I find the back as beautiful as the front, don't you?

I just found a sweet lady in my neighborhood who hand quilts old tops. We have made plans to visit with each other soon and she is going to share her quilted treasures with me.

Smiles,
Lea

Lorrie said...

Wow Sue what a legacy from your grandmother! It's just lovely. I hope you do get it quilted, there are still people out there who do hand quilting, or as you said, you could learn to do it!

Betsy said...

Love the color of the quilt...aren't they the best heirlooms to have.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Sue if you could get someone to baste it for you, or if you can baste it, then you really should quilt it yourself even if your stitches aren't tiny or even - it's all about the love and the memories involved. There are no quilt police and if someone tries to be one and criticize your stitches you just tell them you made big stitches because you have big love! blessings, marlene

Connie said...

wow..what a pretty quilt and I love the memories that go with it. I have a baby quilt my grandmother made and my mom probably used. I love it because of the memories. Connie

Zaroga said...

Sue, your grandmother did lovely stitching.

Maybe near you is a quilting guild or club and you might find someone to teach you how to quilt or it might be done as a guild project. I'v seen your handwork and I'm sure you would be great at quilting.

Anonymous said...

That is incredible that she done all that by hand. My mother still quilts all of hers by hand after she sews the pieces with her machine. We have several quilts from my grandmother that are stitched by hand I love and cherish them!