Quilts at the North Carolina Museum of Art

The other day David and I went to the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh for the first time.  It is not too far from our townhouse.   There is a special exhibition going called Layered Legacies: Quilts from the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts at Old Salem - on until July 21.  

"Quilts materialize the bonds of home, family, and community as they are passed down from generation to generation. Yet they are also records of our shared history, interwoven with broader social, cultural, and economic legacies that make up the complex fabric of the United States."

Complex, for sure.  The quilts were made during Slavery and Reconstruction years, and the exhibition acknowledges and highlights how the quilts would likely have been produced by "unacknowledged hands" - and absolutely so, when we consider the cotton batting and fabric.  

We do not assume that Eleanor made this quilt herself. Note the "household of"  - 

An 1845 crib quilt from the household of Mary Videau Marion Yeadon, in Charleston, South Carolina: 

There was a white work quilt made by two sisters in antebellum (pre Civil War) Tennessee.  One sister married a slave holder, while the other sister married an abolitionist minister.  

From the museum website: 

Layered Legacies invites audiences to consider the multilayered stories stitched into quilts made in the American South between the late eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries. Featured are more than 30 bed coverings and related objects from the collection of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and Old Salem collections. Foregrounding the masterful artistry of women, these bed coverings are expressions of love, objects of exquisite craftsmanship, and material documents containing hidden stories of long-forgotten women, both white and Black, wealthy and enslaved, whose hands created and cared for these important textiles.

It is well worth seeing if you are in the area!  It has given me a lot to think about. 

xo

Cynthia 

Scrappy Ohio Stars with Carol's pieces

I really got into the flow of making these scrappy Ohio Stars, something sparked by Taryn (Repro Quilt Lover) on Instagram.  I've incorporated a couple of my grandma's shirts, as well as fabric from David's Aunt Masako. 

And then on such a poignant note, my dear friend Tona's Mom (and Masako's dear friend), Carol Younce, passed away after a battle with breast cancer.  Carol was a prolific quilter and such a generous, smart, cheerful person.  Tona sent me a pieced star and a bunch of star pieces, with a note saying the pieces were found at Carol's sewing/ironing station.  

I immediately recognized that Carol must have been following along with Taryn's Instagram too! 

I don't know how to quite put this, but it seems I've reached an age where my peers' parents are starting to pass away.  My own Mom died in 1999, at age 55, when I was 35.  It was so rough (also cancer) and I still miss her, so so much.  I so wish I'd had more years with her.  But I had my Grandma for many years after that, and I have my step mother as well as many motherly figures over the years.  For my kids' sake, I hope I live into old age (what age is old??).  

Last month David and I went to San Francisco for a week.  We had a wonderful time.  

The bus system is easy, clean, convenient: 

Out and about with the girls: 

Snuggles and cuddles -  

Botanical Garden with Tommy and Camille - 

Camille is wearing her Grandma's jean skirt (from the 90's I'd guess?) - how cute is that?!  

Back on the homefront... just for fun, I made this easy sixteen-patch made with my bin of 3 1/2 inch squares, and blues from my stash.  It will be for donation.   

Very fun yellow "cat" backing - I got it long ago in Japan, for a song.  I can't remember why I bought it, but it enlivens this little quilt nicely.   I'm in a stash-busting mood. 

Speaking of stash, with David in Japan again for business this week, I've gotten out my stash of indigo (vintage and new) to contemplate another sashiko throw.  Contemplation quickly turns to piecing.  I just love this kind of improv piecing, and working with indigo.  I'm thinking of adding in some Liberty Tana Lawn as well.  Why not?  There are no rules. 

xo

Cynthia

 

Flower Garden Appliqué quilt finish - finally!

 

Late last night I finished tacking back the binding on the Flower Garden appliqué quilt.  

This quilt was 3 1/2 years in the making.  I'm so happy to have it finished. 

I started this back around November 2020 in Tokyo, as a block of the month from Sentimental Stitches, called Poppy's Polka Dot Garden.  I have ended up calling mine simply Flower Garden. 

 

I made a lot of the blocks, but not all, and I just chose a very simple layout.  The blue is a shot cotton I got in Tokyo when we lived there.   I added little polka dot circles on the alternate blocks and the border, and machine quilted it very simply.  

The backing is a yellow beehive print, supplemented with a very old blue print.  

I sized it to fit on a twin bed: 

I have not washed it yet, and after seeing the photos here, I can really see where I might add more machine quilting.  Not sure.  I want it to remain really drapey. 

I am so happy to have this finished!  Now I don't have anything unfinished from the Covid/Tokyo years.  I just have a good sense of closure now. 

This quilt will live here at home for awhile at least. 

And, against my better judgment I've just started a second scrappy Liberty hexie EPP quilt.   It will be throw sized.

For some reason I'm just giddy about my new sewing basket  - from Liberty in London.  The benefits of David traveling and being willing to go to Liberty for me;). 

The print reminds me of my 70's childhood.  I love something that is practical, AND fun, AND pretty. 

I've been reading (mostly listening) a lot of books lately, and can recommend these: 

The Women by Kristin Hannah  - historical fiction about nurses during and after the Vietnam war.  I couldn't put it down. 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - really remarkable novel about two friends and video game creators, whose lives intersect over many years.   Somewhat strange, compelling.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner - Korean American memoir, her mother's cancer; food culture; grieving.  

Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad - a remarkable memoir about living with cancer.  I also recommend the documentary American Symphony.  But read the book first. 

Finding Me - Viola Davis' memoir.  One of the best, most powerful memoirs I've ever listened to.  Unflinching, moving. 

Let me know if you've read anything fantastic lately! 

xo

Cynthia