Wishing For Pine Needles

the Quilts in our Home - part Four

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

the Quilts in our Home - part Three

It's bone-chilling cold here.  Freezing.  So onto my favorite cozy thing to think about these days. 

Onto more quilts!

The following three quilts entered our life approximately eight, five and two years ago.  They have become prized possessions of their young owners and their mama, who realizes that someday she will have to let them all go.  (The quilts and the kids, that is.)

But for now, they are thankfully all still here in our home...bright, colorful and full of life!

 

Rylen's quilt was made by our dear friend, Deb, in Chicago during our time there.  I still remember opening it at a baby shower and feeling so touched by all of the work and love that went into something so beautiful for my baby.  It's just as beautiful now as it was then, albeit the eight years of faithful wear and tear.  And my girl, who is loyal to the core, still sleeps with it every night.  (Oh, and this beauty is hand-stitched, too.  How's that for an heirloom?)

 

 

 Marianne's quilt was sent as a baby gift by the forementioned Aunt Linda.  We received it when she was about a month old, and it instantly seemed perfectly suited to the sweet, rosy cheeks and personality of my new baby girl.  I believe it is a nine-patch pattern, but correct me if I'm wrong.  (Still learning, here!)  (Oh, and I must add that this quilt's current employ is to serve as a floor blanket for my girl's many stuffed kitties and and other *wild* stuffed friends who she's trying to keep 'in line.')

 

 

Hans's quilt was also a gift from Aunt Linda, and perfectly 'little boyish' for this feisty young son of mine.  I love the way this is quilted in a water/wave design to go with the ducks.  After dabbling in a little machine quilting of my own, I can tell you that it is not easy!   This little, big boy of mine is growing up faster than I can believe, and I'm pleased to say that my special boy and his special quilt both made the transition to their very own big boy bed!  I'm dreading the day when his little body just grows too big for it.  But, for now, it covers him entirely and I am entirely OK with that!

(You may be thinking that this big boy is also too "big" for a pacifier....and I completely agree with you.  Just try tellling him that!)

Happy Winter to You!

the Quilts in our Home - part Two

The second quilt I'd like to introduce to you in this little series is none other than this snuggly, blue, log cabin beauty!

  

This quilt has been in our family just as long as we have been a family....we received it at our wedding from Dan's very talented aunt.  (Who I wished lived closer because just maybe she would be up to sharing a bit of her quilting knowledge with you-know-who!)

 

The detail speaks for itself and the fabric choice is perfect for this log cabin, where the colors are appropriately dark on one side of the square and light on the other.  One of my very favorite parts is the pieced border.  It adds plenty of character and gives this quilt that extra wow factor, don't you think?  My other favorite part is the heart, because no matter where this quilt ends up, her history will always be clear and remembered.

   

Our wedding quilt has found her permanent home folded up our our couch for the last decade, and I will stand by the fact that there has rarely been a day in these last ten years where it has actually stayed folded!

 

(And this is an understatement.)

I hope something just as cozy keeps you and yours warm as we head into this longest, shortest month of the year!

Happy February!

the Quilts in our Home - part One

Quilting.

I can't think of a better lifelong skill to have.  I am beginning to realize that eventually there will be an end to sewing dresses and nightgowns for my little girls....sigh.....and let's face it....sewing for little boys isn't nearly as fun. (Sorry Hans!)  I suppose there will always be curtains and pillowcases to make, but utilitarian sewing for the home doesn't quite give me the same warm and fuzzies as sewing for my babies. 

But, thankfully, I think quilting just might!

A goal of mine for this year of 2011 is to quilt.  I'll learn more on my own by trial and error, read some quilting books, and maybe even take a class.  But someway, somehow, I plan to spend some time on this art that has been a treasured pastime of women for centuries.

Years before I'd ever considered quilting as a hobby of my own, I had an appreciation for all quilts and began a modest collection.  So I've decided to launch a small series to showcase these beauties, some of which have become my most beloved treasures.

The first one I'd like to start with is one of my very favorites!

 

I suppose you're actually looking at two beautiful quilts in this picture.....but the one I'd like to focus on today is hanging on the wall rack.  It was given to me by a relative to whom I'll be forever grateful.  The history of this quilt is somewhat fuzzy, but is believed to have been made in the very early 1900's as a hope chest item by my great uncle's mother.  It's completely hand-quilted which makes it even more special.  Although the stitches are neat and tidy, they are are far from perfect, which could confirm that it was indeed made by a younger woman who hadn't yet gained precision and experience.

 

This is a honeycomb (or hexagon) quilt pattern, which remains the oldest quilt pattern known to be published in an American periodical.  This specific pattern is called Grandmother's Flower Garden.  I found a fascinating history of this quilt here incase you're interested!

 

 

There is so much about this sweet quilt that I would love to know.  The exact year it was completed would be a great start.  What was going on in the world when she stitched the last stitch?   Who did this quilt keep warm?  How many different homes has it lived in?  Did it see laughter and happiness or did it capture many tears?  My best guess is probably a little bit of both.  Yes, this quilt remains a mystery and for this I love it all the more.

Now this quilt is here in our home.  Hopefully just another stop along her journey.  Lovingly displayed over the bed of Miss Rylen.  (I think she's one lucky girl!)