Gramie bj

IT IS AMAZING what we think we have to have to turn out a beautiful quilt. Yes I have a lot of gadgets, rulers, machines, and a huge stash. In my sewing area I have a quilt hanging on my wall that was made by my Great, Great, Grand Mother using paper, pencil, needle thread, thimble (I have her well worn thimble in my collection), scissors, and worn out cloths. It was made to be used and it was. It is now worn out, some pieces are missing. I remember it being on the back of my Great Grandmothers' couch, my Grandmother hung it on the wall, she refused to fix the holes, saying that quilt earned all its battle scars from a long, loved, useful life, it had aged with dignity, and earned its retirement. My Mom kept it in her cedar chest. It is back on the wall in my house to be enjoyed by all and a reminder to me of all the love my grandmothers put into there quilts. She still has her holes, but I don't care, she earned them.

Jackie Spencer

Love your story. Would love to see your well loved quilt!!

Onebyone

Such a nice history about your quilt.

Can you imagine our great great granddaughters one day saying this quilt was made using only die cuts and manual sewing machine...at least I hope they are interested in knowing that.

mckwilter

You are so lucky to have your GGM's quilt. One thing that I like about quilting is that we can use all the newest gadgets and still honor the quilts made in the past without any gadgets. Quilters do understand about the history and the skill and hard work that went into each of those quilts. It is one of the reasons why many look for and collect the older quilts, to give them and their makers a place of honor.

ManiacQuilter2

My Great Aunt Maude was the only quilter in the family but she lived in the middle of Kansas while So CA is my home. I saw her make a GFG with scissors and a paper pattern and hand quilt it for her only granddaughter.. I consider myself lucky that I grew up in this time period.

Gramie bj

Wish I could post a pic. but so far have not been able to master it.

CookyIN

Funny, I was thinking this same thing the other day. I love gadgets and gizmos. And doubt I will ever be able to turn out anything as near-perfect as my grandmothers and mother did with just scissors, needle and thread, and fabric.

KwiltyKahy

I have often wondered why, with all my gadgets and gizmos, I don't seem to be as proficient as those quilters that went before.

Cathy77

You're absolutely right: That quilt has earned its retirement!

I personally am not much for fancy guizmos and thousands of different rulers, but I'd never part with my rotary cutter and mat! And sewing machine, for that matter!


Reading your story about this great heirloom quilt, I once again regret that I'm the first quilter in my family...

Boston1954

That was a lovely story! You should get some pictures of the quilt and see if you can find some of her as well. Put them in a little book.

I bet she is smiling down at you right now.

My Mom only made one little quilt that we used up. I don't know what ever became of it, and do not even have one picture of it, and that makes me just a bit sad.