Generations of quilting??
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North DFW
Posts: 603
Both of my grandmothers quilted, one loved her version of crazy quilting and tied her quilts, the other hated piecing but loved the hand quilting. A great grandmother also quilted. I don't recall any aunts quilting. My mom made me a crazy quilt like her mother used to make. I have a couple of cousins who quilt. My sister has pieced a quilt, then my sister in law quilted it and has a small business quilting for other people. So far all I have done so far is piece some tops and collect tubs of fabric for future quilting. The first picture is the quilt my great grandmother made my parents back in the 50s and the second is the one my mom made me. They're both all hand sewn.
Last edited by Suzanne57; 11-23-2014 at 09:04 AM.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
My great grandmother made a quilt for me before I was born--I still have it. My grandmother didn't quilt, but she had a shirt and embroidery shop, so was probably tired of sewing by the time she went home. She did beautiful crochet and made tablecloths and bed spreads. My mom made a lot of clothes, but struggled with it, so I don't think she enjoyed it very much. My aunt was also a wonderful seamstress, so I guess I should say yes. I have 3 daughters and 3 granddaughters and none of them show any interest.
Sue
Sue
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
Jan's fascinating post on this thread http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/tied-t257128.html got me to thinking. I am the first quilter (that I know of) in my family. But I don't have a whole lot of family history.
My maternal grandmother died when my mother was a child and my paternal grandfather could give Liz Taylor a run for the money with how many times he divorced and re married . But I don't recall any of his wives being quilters. And my mom was definitely not a quilter. I know absolutely nothing about great grandparents or any generations preceding. so it is possible that I have quilters going further back and just don't know it.
So how many out there have generations of quilting in their families and if so do you know how many generations? How many of us are the first in our "line" to embrace the art?
My maternal grandmother died when my mother was a child and my paternal grandfather could give Liz Taylor a run for the money with how many times he divorced and re married . But I don't recall any of his wives being quilters. And my mom was definitely not a quilter. I know absolutely nothing about great grandparents or any generations preceding. so it is possible that I have quilters going further back and just don't know it.
So how many out there have generations of quilting in their families and if so do you know how many generations? How many of us are the first in our "line" to embrace the art?
#15
No quilters on my side of the family ... lol ..... but if you want to talk about my hubby's side, that's another story. We have 3 vintage quilts from his paternal great-grandmom and grandmom. My DMIL was a quilter too and she was the one who gently pushed me into quilting.
#16
Well, I can prove it back to my father's great grandmother, from whom I have a quilt top that I may finally finish into a quilt one day when I feel like I'm good enough. My paternal great-grandmother and grandmother may have done some quilting, but they were both crocheters living in travel trailers by the time I came along. My mother's mother sewed a lot, and did some simple quilting. I have one of the few she made. My mother has done some quilting, but doesn't really have the time to get deeply into it, she does cross-stitch and sashiko.
I'm learning. I started with fixing older machines to get over my fear of them, and I just made my first quilted coaster a few days ago. Today I'm going to finish a pair of mug rugs for a Christmas gift exchange.
I'm learning. I started with fixing older machines to get over my fear of them, and I just made my first quilted coaster a few days ago. Today I'm going to finish a pair of mug rugs for a Christmas gift exchange.
#17
My father's side of the family never talked about their history and his mother died when I was twelve.
My mother was a fabulous baker but did no handwork. Since her mother died when my Mom was five years old, I know nothing about her parents or grandparents. However, her second oldest sister was a quilter and I have three of Aunty Inez' quilts in just retrieved and still partially unpacked storage.
The horrible thing is that I'd bought archive boxes and tissue to pack those three quilts for storage. They were carefully cleaned and put into the boxes which were then sealed and put in the room with all the stuff to go into long term storage while we were living abroad. Fast forward fifteen years to when we sold that house and had to empty the store-room. I discovered one of the evil packers had opened the quilt boxes and dumped the quilts out into a out-of-sight area. We had hours left to finish sorting and sending the "keepers" to the long term storage with the rest of our things. My precious quilts were covered with mouse droppings and pee. I had to put them into the washer and dryer one at a time. Yes, that further damaged them but the alternative was worse.
I am enjoying reading about all your interesting histories. How I wish I'd asked questions when everyone was still alive.
My mother was a fabulous baker but did no handwork. Since her mother died when my Mom was five years old, I know nothing about her parents or grandparents. However, her second oldest sister was a quilter and I have three of Aunty Inez' quilts in just retrieved and still partially unpacked storage.
The horrible thing is that I'd bought archive boxes and tissue to pack those three quilts for storage. They were carefully cleaned and put into the boxes which were then sealed and put in the room with all the stuff to go into long term storage while we were living abroad. Fast forward fifteen years to when we sold that house and had to empty the store-room. I discovered one of the evil packers had opened the quilt boxes and dumped the quilts out into a out-of-sight area. We had hours left to finish sorting and sending the "keepers" to the long term storage with the rest of our things. My precious quilts were covered with mouse droppings and pee. I had to put them into the washer and dryer one at a time. Yes, that further damaged them but the alternative was worse.
I am enjoying reading about all your interesting histories. How I wish I'd asked questions when everyone was still alive.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Missouri
Posts: 324
my mom, her mother and grandma's mother all quilted. Mom is one of 6 daughters........mom and 1 aunt are the only ones still actively quilting--2 of her sisters have said they are not making any more quilts. of my generation only 1 cousin and I quilt.
On my dad's side, grandma sewed constantly but not quilts. Her mother quilted. Mom was given some blocks made by this great grandma and mom made them into a baby quilt for me before I was born. I still have this quilt, but it is in very rough condition....it's been used by 4 babies though. : )
On my dad's side, grandma sewed constantly but not quilts. Her mother quilted. Mom was given some blocks made by this great grandma and mom made them into a baby quilt for me before I was born. I still have this quilt, but it is in very rough condition....it's been used by 4 babies though. : )
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,052
My mother could make anything, but never learned to make a quilt. She apolstered furniture, and made most of her 5 childrens clothing. Imagine my joy when she asked me to teach her how!! Before she passed away she had made several quilts, which we treasure now, and of course I have my special memories of the time we spent together making them.
#20
My mom and grandmothers were wonderful seamstresses. I learned from them. I was a teenager before I ever had a 'store bought' dress. They sewed mostly clothes but each have made a few quilts. My mom bought a long arm when she retired and did long arm quilting for several years until her health didn't allow her to stand anymore. I bought her long arm and am continuing the quilting. I have done way more piecing and quilting then either of my grandmothers did. My DD is a quilter and so is her DD. The tradition continues.....
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