It belonged to DH's great grandma Kate:
I love the odd square thrown in here and there to fill an empty space when there was no more of a particular fabric.
Today we go out and buy more. Maybe I need to stop doing that.
No one in my family ever sewed or quilted. How sad is that? And then why do I have this burning desire to do so? Have we been married so long that DH's family has truly become a part of me through some form of Osmosis? I mean. I had no desire what so ever to even become acquainted with fabric until we had our first child. And even then, my MIL showered us with her quilts. Me? Quilt? I was overwhelmed by the thought.
So now I am over the moon that I have this quilt and as I sat with it in my lap, running my fingers tenderly over the patches of fabric, I wished like crazy that she was sitting beside me. I have so many things I would like to say,
"Where did this....and this....and this piece come from?"
"What did you make for supper the day you stitched this block?"
"Did your mother quilt?"
"Here, let me cut some more squares for you."
"Do you want me to bring in some more wood so that you can continue stitching?"
"Did your children sit under this quilt as you stitched?"
"Where did you live when you were making this?"
"Who claimed this quilt once it was finished?"
Then she would look at me as if I had grown a second head when I tell her about the tools we have for quilters today and the never-ending selection of fabrics we have at our fingertips and she would shake her head.
I imagine she would tell me, "Hush child. You are quite the chatter-box", but then she would smile.
And I would sneak in another, "When did you find the time?" She would glance at me with wise eyes and I would simply say,
"Thank you. I will treasure it forever."
15 comments:
Lovely
Awwwww...that is so precious! I often wonder the same questions. I have a quilt top that my great grandmother pieced and I have been hand quilting it on and off for a while now, for my mother. It is the only thing that she has that belonged to her grandmother. As I am quilting on it, I often wonder what was going on in her life at that time and what was on her mind as she stitched.
Have a wonderful and Blessed day
Kristie
lovely story. I researched my Dad's family history quite extensively and, like you, I could imagine myself talking to my ancestors....the research into their lives and the history at that time brought them "alive" for me..........my grandmother quilted but sadly none of her quilts came our way after she passed. You are so lucky to have that treasure and your husband's family is so lucky to have you to care for their legacy.......
Oh...now I have a tear or two. What a sweet, sweet heirloom and treasure for you! :)
That is Beautiful!
I have a very old quilt that belonged to my hubby's great grandma...I treasure it!
What a special gift and treasure. Thank you so much for sharing.
Making do is what quilters before us always did - we're so dang spoiled. LOL
What a special gift!!! And your introduction to your newest friend was a delight.
This post, itself, is a treasure. I love the quilt AND the conversation you would have with the quilter.
Oh, Karin! How amazing to have that quilt! It is just lovely, and as you said, so charming with those extra squares here and there. You are right, we do very little 'making do' now. We run back to the store for more, or scour the internet trying to find older fabric.
I love your post about it, and I know you'll treasure it forever. Do you have any idea when it was made? Or how many others have kept it between that time and now?
Okay, I'm choking up! Truly what a treasure! My great grandmother's name was Kate! I do have one thing we thing she made - so understand the connection!!
Blessings
That is an amazing treasure of a quilt. Congratulations!
Amazing quilt. To me, each "odd" square was placed for a reason, to draw the eye away from another area or because she particularly liked that piece? She probably didn't have the "rules" we have in place today that tend to inhibit our artistic talents. Such a nice comment you made, I wiped away a tear or two. My grandmother painted and played the piano. No one quilted, but I have two daughtes who quilt!
OH yes - defineatly a tear would be shed
Karin, that quilt is a treasure and I'm sure it could tell a few stories if it could talk! That's what I love about quilts, the connection to the lives of those who have come before us and have graciously left a piece behind for us to ponder over.
Oh. My. Goodness. I know exactly what you mean. What a treasure!
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