There has been a loss of oral history in our culture that is filled with rich and indelible memory. This history is not flashy or newsworthy or trendy, but it is authentic, vivid, and distinctive. I have been given the privilege of sharing a story that is both remarkable and personal. Karen responded to my post about the quilt top made by my great grandmother. I was intrigued with her comment and description, and I asked her to send me a photo. Her story is one that we all long to tell and treasure from our own families.
Karen’s great grandmother started a crazy quilt at the age of ten, sometime in the 1890′s. Crazy quilts were the favored form of expression during the Victorian years. Silk, velvet, and embroidery was the norm. Many of these were made as parlor throws, so the size was not fitting for a bed. Around 2000, Karen had been given some of these pieces that had been stored in the attic of her family farm. She decided she and her great grandmother posthumously would finish this quilt together. She pieced the sections that were in different stages of being finished as well as adding others to the muslin background. Some of the decorative embroidery had been done by her great grandmother and done “really well” as Karen described. (The fact that her great grandmother was only ten during the creation of this project is remarkable, and I think this thought was paramount in her mind as she worked to finish this). Karen then added the remaining embroidery as well as the black velvet borders and some beading in keeping with the integrity of quilts of this genre. What I find most fascinating with this quilt is the circular motifs that Karen confirmed were original to the design. I have not seen a crazy quilt designed like this, something that seems a modern format. This prompts me to do research and see how many quilts were designed in this way. I find this highly unusual.
A great granddaughter honors the memory of her great grandmother, and together “they” finish a quilt 110 years later. A ten year old girl started the quilt around 1890 and a 44 year old great granddaughter finished it in the 21st century. I think her great grandmother would be immensely proud and happy with the final results. Thank you Karen for sharing your story. I do not think this history will be lost.
Actually, the circles are part of the original design…
How awesome this is! I’ll be curious about what you find out. I think some of the things we think are “modern” really aren’t.
Deb,
What a surprise this was to me as well. I initially wrote that this was Karen’s modern touch for her share of the piece, but she confirmed that the original circles were her great grandmother’s design. Fascinating. I never would have guessed!
The colors and the design are so fresh to my eyes. I am so impressed by it. I can imagine that the breath was completely taken away the first time she (Karen) saw this. It is really awesome (that is is the correct use of the word!). Thank you for showing it.
Pat,
What I think you are seeing is some of this contemporary feel with the circles that others are seeing in this piece as well. Yes, awesome is a good word!
oh what a great story! and i am very intrigued with the circles. i focused on them even before i read the post. i guess i have never seen a crazy quilt with “dots”. fabulous.
Jude,
These were my first thoughts as well. In fact when I published this I had originally attributed this design to Karen, not her great grandmother. She left a comment confirming this was not her interpretation of the design so I went back and edited the post to reflect this. Really a fun and fascinating piece.
>great granddaughter finished it
Now, *that* is the kind of story I live to hear!
Risa,
It seems to make the piece all the better, doesn’t it?
I’m Karen’s cousin, who is now living in and restoring the same family farmhouse. I’d like to offer a small correction/addition as well. The pieces were stored, carefully wrapped by my aunt, in a handmade cedar chest belonging to Karen’s grandmother, in Karen’s great grandmother’s bedroom (now mine and my husband’s). The wood for the chest came from a tree on the farm. A braided rug that my grandmother (Karen’s great grandmother) and my aunt started in the late 1940′s, but never finished, was also in the chest. Karen’s mother now has the cedar chest. My aunt, who is now 93, finished the rug a few years ago, and it now lies by her bed, still in the family farmhouse. My husband and I still use grandmother’s (and grandfather’s!) bedroom furniture that they got when they were married. Karen, I’m glad you finished the quilt. It’s lovely!
Linda,
What a wonderful contribution you have made to an already beautiful story. As I was reading your comments, I kept thinking about how we all are so fragmented and dispersed in our lives. To complicate matters further, there is so much loss in terms of tradition and recognizing and preserving these things that we inherit. I think we are changing and turning back to what is most important and meaningful. Obviously, all your family heirlooms are in good hands. How inspiring to read about your treasures and how you have valued and preserved them.