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Quilting as Family Heritage and History

12/4/2023

Quilting as Family Heritage and History

I have been sorting through a few things as I try to organize the remnants of our life that we deemed too important to jettison as we moved into a space nearly half the size of the houses we’ve lived in before.  A large section of the storage is occupied by several quilts that are huge reminders of several people that we love.  I would like to share a few of these during this festive time of year, when we allow ourselves to reminisce and recall special times in our lives.

This quilt was pieced by my grandmother when I was young using scraps that my mother was allowed to bring home from her job sewing in a women’s clothing factory.  My clever grandma used the odd shaped bits and cut triangles and created this unique design.  I had been quilting for some time when I got this out to look at it and realized that it is all half square triangles! We backed it with bright red and my mother, grandmother, aunt and several family members hand quilted this.

 

My grandmother had made enough quilt tops for all her granddaughters and I was able to choose this one fairly early on.  Grandma couldn’t believe I chose this “ugly” quilt and apologized.  I’m not sure I convinced her that I LOVED it!  It’s still one of my dearest treasures.

This heirloom is in line for completion.  It is a hand pieced quilt top that was done by my husband’s Great Great Grandmother.  It came to me after the passing of his mother and sister.  It is beautifully done and I have been considering the best quilting design to enhance its vintage charm.  Even in this state it is an amazing example of the skill and ingenuity of those quilters who came before.

 

This humble flannel quilt was one of three made for my husband by his maternal grandmother.  She wasn’t into piecing, but was a fine hand quilter. Her quilts were always a piece of fabric, hand quilted in a basic design, and the edges whip stitched closed.  After years of industrial strength love from our boys the edging had given out, so I rebound the edge and this beloved bit of Grandma was able to cuddle her grandson after his knee replacement.

This quilt is a duplicate of one that my grandmother made for my mother when she was married.  As a child it was my favorite and I was determined to recreate one for myself. Many of the 4 patches are the first examples of piecing that I did as a teen.  The blocks in the center were fabrics from dresses my mother made for my sisters and me and herself.  Some were also from clothing I made for myself in 4-H and later. I feel that my entire life is contained in this quilt.

 

At one point we acquired a king sized bed and this poor little quilt was basically a double size. It was also somewhat worse for wear after 30 years of constant use and some of the printed blocks and some of the muslin binding were developing holes.  I removed the border, pieced new fabrics over the ones with holes, added the new muslin border and the pieced block border, hand quilted the new pieces and re-quilted any stitching that was broken, and rebound the whole thing.  The fabrics in the border are a combination of some original patches that my mother had kept “just in case” and fabrics that I had used to sew for my three kids.  There are even pieces cut from shirts that my husband wore in the 80’s and 90’s. Now this quilt is truly the story of OUR lives. The smell of the muslin is still one of the best and most comforting scents to me.  I have even saved a big bin of fabric from the clothes I made for my kids and grandkids that I still intend to use to make another group of 4 patch muslin quilts, even if the muslin is black, which is the preferred color of most of them.

This continuation of family associated with tying the generations together with quilts is such a satisfying way to remember these precious people.  Take some time during the coming “bleak midwinter” and warm yourself with fond memories.

— Queen Bee

Today’s Tip - Family Heritage Quilt

Create a quilt that tells the story of your family's heritage and history. Gather fabrics that hold sentimental value, such as pieces from old family clothing, heirloom linens, or fabrics that represent cultural roots. Incorporate meaningful symbols or quilt blocks that represent different aspects of your family's journey. As you work on the quilt, share stories with family members, and document the significance of each fabric and design. The finished quilt becomes a tangible piece of your family's history, a cherished heirloom to pass down through generations, keeping your family's story alive in every stitch.

Featured YouTube Video

Family History Christmas Stocking Project - YouTube

 

 

This quilt would be a fabulous way to use and feature any "orphan" blocks from a departed quilter.

I have a bin full of blocks of sample by my mother.

Either of these two would make terrific album quilts for guests at a reunion or a wedding reception.