This week's quilt is different in the sense that it is not the traditional patch-work-of-art. But nonetheless, it is a still quilted beauty in its own very intricate way!
In case you were wondering, each stitch of this design is a hand-sewn cross-stitch. How on earth is that possible?? How many thousands of cross-stitches are in this single quilt?? Oh, I would love to know!
And, as if cross-stitching the entire design wasn't enough, this quilt is actually quilted completely by hand. Not a stitch of it was done on a sewing machine. (There truly must be over a million total hand stitches in this masterpiece....)
The best part is that it was made by my great Aunt Ruth, and I loved everything about her. She was certainly talented at needlework and we all still have and cherish her many creations. She smelled fantastic every time I saw her. She'd simply say, "Well, my perfume goes with my body chemistry. You need to find a perfume that goes with your body chemistry." Easy enough for her, I suppose. I loved that she always had little rosebud soaps in her bathroom and that she would give my sisters and I each one when we came to visit. I love that she got her hair done every Thursday, even in her last days. I loved that after nearly 60 years of marriage, her husband still called her Ruthie.
I miss her and think of her often. And I am so very grateful to have been given this amazing quilt that her very own fingers stitched with love.
Christmas 1978
What a beautiful gift from a lovely woman. She sounds wonderful. I like the quilt with those little panels above the bed too. You are quilt-blessed : )!
Posted by: Shelley in SC | Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 04:11 PM
oh wow, what a treasure!
Posted by: randi | Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 10:35 PM
I agree with the other comments - beautiful quilt. I'd like to see this one up close. Is that Mickey Mouse sticking out behind the wonderful book?
Posted by: Ellen | Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 09:07 PM
So great! Thanks for sharing : )
Posted by: Pamela | Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 01:46 PM
what a wonderful woman! I wasn't expecting to tear-up today...
Posted by: Melissa | Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Oh my goodness...that is a beauty!!! xoxo
Posted by: koralee | Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 07:13 PM
I, too, think of Aunt Ruth often. She was quite a gal, full of personality and talent!
She loved getting to know her grand nieces.
Posted by: Pam | Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Its a beautiful quilt!
Posted by: natasha | Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 03:11 PM