Hello! It is blazing hot outside these days, normal for North Carolina this time of year. This means plenty of indoor time, lol.
I am in the process of doing some mending on this old well-loved nine patch, made by my great-grandmother Una Fisher (we called her "Two").
Una pieced it and her sister Fannie Fisher quilted it, in West Virginia, sometime in the 1960's I think. It was passed to my Grandma Mary Lou, and then to my Mom, who may or may not have used it as a beach blanket (!) for many years, and then at some point it passed to my sister-in-law Janette.
First step, binding.
It is such a pleasure to spend some good time with this quilt! I love geneology and pondering about my ancestors, and so this is just that sweet intersection of quilting and family history.
x
Cynthia
What a wonderful thing to do! The quilt is a family treasure.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pamela! It really is a family treasure and I'm hoping my sis-in-law will get many more years out of it.
Deletei have mended old quilts, a few that i originally made...it is a labor of love
ReplyDeleteMe too, some of them get used and loved a whole lot!
DeleteGreat idea to applique "over" the existing patches and also put the new binding over the old!!
ReplyDeleteI was just talking about repairs recently and haven't wanted to "replace" my Grand-mere's work on her quilt that has worn out...thanks for the posting about your method...hugs, Julierose
I am just looking to be practical and get it done! I'm not a perfectionist. My stitches are gigantic next to the old original stitches, though. Humbling.
DeleteI love reading other people’s comments. I agree with Julierose that it is nice to ADD repairs rather than replacing the worn fabric. That way you preserve family history.
ReplyDeleteI must also say that you have a good collection of prints to replace the worn patches. Every piece looks perfect.
Last but not least, you have such a big heart, doing this repair for your sister-in-law. I am sure this quilt will be loved for many more years to come.
Queenie
Thank you Queenie! Some of those prints are Liberty fabrics, so fine that they meld right into the old quilt easily. Thank you for your kind words! My sister in law is not a quilter, but she is a quilt lover for sure.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't ''used it as a beach blanket'' just kill you! My much older cousin remembers using quilts made by our greatgrandmother/ grandmother? as beach blankets, ''used, loved, threw away". By her description, one was a Feathered Star! I got the appliqued quilts, via my dad; he loved quilts and took care of those he received.
ReplyDeleteI love a simple 9 Patch like yours, so charming.
Ya, I think there can be a balance in how quilts are used. Not over-using them to death, but also not just storing them or displaying them. However once I give a quilt to someone, I feel like it's none of my business how they use it!
DeleteI really admire those who have the patience and dedication to restore these timeworn treasures. When they are family heirlooms they're even more special. Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Babcia! I'm not repairing it completely, that would mean basically covering up all the old muslin. But, it's fun to do something to make it usable again.
DeleteThis was perfect timing for me to see and read this post with details about how you repaired your great-grandmother's old quilt, Cynthia. The fabrics you chose for the blocks are so similar to the original, I doubt anyone will realize they're patched.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful vintage quilt. It's great you know its history and what a wonderful connection to touch and work on the same fabric that your g-grandmother did.
Nancy, so well put, yes, I feel a connection. I remember my great-grandmother but at the time I was a child/teen and had no concept of quilting. The patches are obvious because of my giant stitches, but, I did try to use appropriate fabrics.
DeleteI have a number of vintage pieces needing help. When I visited Jon last summer, he showed me a very worn block on his wedding quilt. I think the echo quilting of hawaiian blocks makes little ridges that wear. I've heard it said that in Hawaii they are told not to sit on the quilts amd that may be the reason, The worn block was in the most likely place to get sat on. I don't think it could be fixed without redoing the whole block and replacing it. Browns, blacks and purples are most likely to have problems with the mordants in the dye.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point about echo quilting. My grandma didn't want us sitting on the really old hand quilted quilts, for sure. Redoing a Hawaiian block would be a lot of work but I won't be surprised if you do that!
DeleteWhat a labor of love! I appreciate you sharing your methods.
ReplyDeleteOh, the beach blanket statement made me cringe. Do we assume "Mom" was not a quilter? :)
Once at a son's soccer game, I saw a family pull out a beautiful, old 1930s butterfly quilt, and proceed to spread it on the grass and sit on it. It was all I could do to not go over and ask if they would sell it to me.
Mom was not a quilter, but she was a quilt lover for sure. I don't judge, I sort of chuckle at it, to be honest. Back then I don't think she knew any better, and knowing that she loved and used the quilt so much, just adds to the specialness of it. But ya, if I saw someone today using an old fragile special quilt like you mention, I too would have a hard time not saying something lol.
DeleteThis is a wonderful project! So much sentimental goodness here! I have a quilt from my grandma that needs lots of mending.:)
ReplyDeleteIt can be such a meditative exercise!
Deleteso amazing
ReplyDelete