The Story it Would Tell
Every quilt has a story. Some are documented well with labels and words to tell that story. Others we have to guess at because there's nothing for us to learn from. Years ago I purchased a set of mostly blue-and-white antique quilt blocks. I was drawn to them because of their graphic quality. Upon closer inspection, the piecing was horrible. Uneven seam allowances, extra folds and pleats rather than well pressed seams. Needless to say I put them away and forgot about them. Several months ago I "found" them again and was still wowed by the design.
I started really looking at the blocks. Could that be string they used for piecing? Would that have been string from feedsacks?
Hmm...was the quiltmaker so short on supplies that the string was the best they could do? Not all of the quilt blocks are made with this string. I couldn't put the blocks away so I ended up trimming them all to 8 1/2" squares. I tried to center them and really square them up, but in some cases that was not possible. After getting them all trimmed, they got set aside again. Until this past week. Instead of moving them one more time from one spot to the next, I decided to just piece them together.
The fabrics are wonderful...mostly blue, but a few black pieces, a few brown pieces, and lots of fun shirtings. But then there is the one red block. I just love this.
I'm sure some quilt historians would cringe at the fact that I trimmed them and pieced them together. But I love how the blocks look when they are set together. (I don't have a picture of the top...got it in the mail too fast...but I'm calling it Hugs and Kisses because sometimes I see circles and sometimes I see Xs.) I will enjoy them so much more put together than in a box! The top has been sent to my Amish friend to get hand-quilted. I figured it was the only way to complete this quilt. Next spring we'll make a trip to their home to pick it up. I can't wait to see how it looks with some quilting.
I started really looking at the blocks. Could that be string they used for piecing? Would that have been string from feedsacks?
Hmm...was the quiltmaker so short on supplies that the string was the best they could do? Not all of the quilt blocks are made with this string. I couldn't put the blocks away so I ended up trimming them all to 8 1/2" squares. I tried to center them and really square them up, but in some cases that was not possible. After getting them all trimmed, they got set aside again. Until this past week. Instead of moving them one more time from one spot to the next, I decided to just piece them together.
The fabrics are wonderful...mostly blue, but a few black pieces, a few brown pieces, and lots of fun shirtings. But then there is the one red block. I just love this.
I'm sure some quilt historians would cringe at the fact that I trimmed them and pieced them together. But I love how the blocks look when they are set together. (I don't have a picture of the top...got it in the mail too fast...but I'm calling it Hugs and Kisses because sometimes I see circles and sometimes I see Xs.) I will enjoy them so much more put together than in a box! The top has been sent to my Amish friend to get hand-quilted. I figured it was the only way to complete this quilt. Next spring we'll make a trip to their home to pick it up. I can't wait to see how it looks with some quilting.
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6/25/2010 1:55 AM
laurenhepzi wrote:
Every now and then you just have to grin http://ping.fm/4K92d
I agree with you that it will be easier to enjoy as a finished quilt, even if the historians might cringe! I will look forward to seeing the finished product!
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Ooooh! I look forward to seeing a picture of the finished quilt!! I have a quilt top, a Jacob's Ladder design, that was made by my mother-in-law in the 30's that is all blue and white shirtings. She used it as a "summer spread" as she called it. I decided it needed to be quilted, so I had her start the hand-quilting in 2000 and then I finished it up. She passed away in 2003. The quilt will be "handed-down" to my grandson/her great-grandson whose name is Jacob.
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Hey heidi first of all i liked the image of your kids that you have put on the lefthand side of your website....and your post is really great....i really like the design pattern that you have choosen...you are simply amazing...by seeing your article i have encourage my mom to learn such a design work...
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yes you are absolutely right, The kids in the pic looks nice..... this shows the moms love for their child...
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