My mother had kept this quilt top in her cedar chest for years next to her wedding gown and old baby clothes and shoes that belonged to my brother and me. One day many years before she was to move out of her house, we were sorting through some things, and she came across this quilt top. I had never seen it before and was quite astonished. My mother kept it only because it had been a sentimental piece, her grandmother had pieced it. I was even more impressed with its history as well as the fact that I had never seen it until that very moment. She offered it to me. I intended to finish it by putting a border around and hand quilting it. Fortunately, I never got around to doing this. There are two schools of thought on quilt tops. One advocates maintaining the integrity of the piece and leaving it as is. Another is to finish it in a way that honors the original intention and preserving an heirloom that is the work of two family members, in this case a great grandmother designed and pieced it, and a great granddaughter finished it.
This shows a close-up of the back and the hand piecing. Economy was definitely an issue, no fancy chintz or finer cottons. Most of the fabrics were recycled clothing I am sure. The threads were various in color, some dark and some light according to what she had on hand. The real question remains… who had the other half? My mother guessed it had been divided, but was not sure if or to whom it was given. I asked a cousin recently if she had any recollection, and she was not aware the quilt top had even existed. I think many quilt stories are lost in this way. I still think it would be a special gift to finish it and present it to a daughter or granddaughter so the story and memory continue.
I had a similar situation. I was given a piece of a crazy quilt that was started by my great grandmother when she was around 10 years old (In about 1890). It had sat in the attic of the family farm until it was given to me (around 2000). I decided to finish it off as a joint project between me and my great grandmother. I really enjoyed doing it, although her stitching at age 10 completely surpassed my stitching at age 40, it came out good, and I enjoyed working “with” her. Some other smaller pieces were kept by my mom and small unfinished piece was framed by her as is, so kept it’s historical integrity.
Karen,
What a great story. I think we all have stories to share like this, and until something jogs our memory, we tend to set these quietly aside. This must be such a special quilt for you, and I like that you did keep its memory and importance alive as well as the integrity of the piece. I would love to see a photo of this if you will share one.
hey! we had one like this when we were growing up it was my grandmother’s too and i think my mother has it in a cedar chest. gonna find it. hand stitched i think it was some circular pattern as i recall. thanks for reminding me.
maybe i will get my mother involved in this one.
Jude,
There seems to be a pattern here. Definitely you should dig this out and share the venture with your mother. What a great piece for both of you to finish. Share it on your blog!
My Grandmother had one too. But she gave it to my sister (who had no interest in sewing or the past) =. I am still miffed about that because the piece was lost in time.
I think it would be great to finish it and then the continuity of family is preserved. Lucky you!
See all the memories you are bringing up in people. That is good.
Pat,
I think we all have stories of lost family quilts that are frustrating. My other grandmother (paternal) whom I pictured awhile back in another post, and who was the gifted quilt maker, had many beautiful quilts that ended up in the hands of someone who did not even know my her, no heart connection. But it is what it is. I guess we can create our own designs in memory of those we have lost.
I am happy to send a picture of the quilt, just not sure how to do it on the blog
It’s always a tough choice, what to do with those family pieces. I’ve left some alone and finished, repaired, or transformed others. I want to do whatever keeps that item “alive.”
Deb,
I think that is key too. Better to preserve them than lose them completely.