inherited fabrics
 

When my mother, a lifelong quilter and seamstress, passed in '08, she left her quilting stash to me (my sis, an accomplished seamstress, received the dress goods). I have used bits and pieces from that stash in the years since, but have never had the heart to really sort through it. I did so over this long weekend, along with my sis, via face time. We laughed, and cried, and had a great time remembering what an amazing woman our Mother was.

Along with some really spectacular fabrics, and amazing examples of EPP (who knew?) I found the attached fabrics. They were numbered 1 - 8, with a 5/8 bit marked 'binding'.

While a number of her unfinished projects were with the pattern she was using, I have no idea what she intended with this group of fabrics. There are 8 different fabrics, measuring from 5/8 to 4 yards. There is a total of 15 1/4 yards of fabric.

I would welcome any thoughts as to what to do with this - I want to make something that will be a tangible memory of Mom, but I am at a loss as to where to start.

They are so lovely, anything you make with them will be beautiful.

What nice memories. Is there enough fabric for a Trip Around the World?

they seem to be in graduating shades and values.
a log cabin or french braid would be stunning.

I am so glad you had a wonderful time with your sister........ It is lovely when we remember with tears and smiles the special people in our lives.... Whether still with us or passed.

hugs

Caroline

Love the watercolor fabrics on the top row. I know I have the center one and I think the pastel on the right. She had great taste in fabrics since we bought the same ones. Enjoy !

Might of been for a trip around the world.

Since they are so close in color I agree A Trip Around the World and Log Cabin would be good - you would need to add some fabrics for contrast. I also thought a rail fence would work too. It looks like you would have enough fabric to make one for you and one for your sister.

My mom used to sew when we were young - turned out she liked buying fabric but really didn't like to sew. So she gave away a lot, but she told me she always kept a piece of Disney Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf fabric that she used to make an outfit for my oldest sister. After my mom passed away I found the fabric and used it in a quilt for my great-niece who is the grand-daughter of my oldest sister. I found another piece of fabric, it was a jungle print and no one had any idea where it came from and it was just a yard so I made it into a doll blanket - but my niece used it for the twins when they they were first born since they were so small.

It feels so good to use those bits of fabric.... Enjoy - let us know what you make.

French braid sounds good- it is not one I have done before. I am actually hoping to be snowed in tomorrow, so I search her books and patterns!

I am in agreement with others that said Log Cabin or Trip Around the World.

Beautiful fabric!!! Your mother had good taste, but then you knew that. I think a Trip around the World might work well too. Whatever you decide, have fun with it.

Dina

yep! Good idea. Log cabin

French braid and log cabin sound like good ideas for this fabric. Maybe even a D9P but then I personally like the way they turn out. Make your decision and then don't look back.

I also think a D9P would look great. Creme in the center, purples on corners and greens in between.

"They were numbered 1 - 8, with a 5/8 bit marked 'binding'. "


The first thing that came to my mind, since the fabrics were numbered, was a bargello. I think you could make a lovely bargello design with those fabrics.

I am wondering if maybe it was for a Blooming Nine Patch? I can't remember how many colors are in that one but am thinking that 8 might be about right. The pattern goes with a light center and graduates out. I am drawing a blank and can't remember the name of the book it was in

I was also thinking B9P. The book I'm thinking of is by Blanche Young and I believe called "Tradition with a Twist." If you want some specific info about the book I have it. I believe it is still in print. This book also has several TATW variations.

With a bargello you would need the same amount of yardage of each and it looks like each fabric is a different amount.

What are the other yardage amounts on the fabrics we can't see the labels of?

ditto here!!

did your mom have a favorite quilt pattern that you know of ? I was thinking maybe something with stars ? what are you feeling like making with it ?

thank you everyone! I have spent[ATTACH=CONFIG]510605[/ATTACH] my 'snow' day looking at patterns, and thinking about what will reflect my mom. I am leaning toward Trip or D9p. Attached is another photo of the fabrics, so you can see the yardage of each. I am not going to jump into this, but I will continue to look through her books and notes, and see if she indicated any where what she planned.

I think a magic 9 patch would be lovely out of these colors. To see the pattern go to : www.quiltersdreamtx.com on her patterns page. She also has a magic trip around the world that is actually pretty fast.

A blooming nine patch would be beautiful, but it seems to me the ones I saw had more contrast between the lightest and darkest colors. I would vote for a log cabin.

Also, think about the 4 yard piece might be meant for the back, since the binding fabric was labeled. But it could be a background fabric, too. Such a light binding looks kind of strange to me.

Beautiful fabric!

It would be nice to make a little something for you and for your sister. Maybe a couple of table toppers? Then you would both have nice memories.

I would purchase a lovely gold yellow and use it for the heart of the home and make a log cabin...thus reminding you of your mothers home and the warmth of her love. Call me sentimental!!

How about go online and look at some blocks, and see which one would make you think of Mom.

Your fabrics look like they would work for the light and shadows of a log cabin.

I found it.
Blooming Nine Patch, from Tradition With A Twist, Blance Young and Dalene Young Stone(C & T Publishing, , 1996). Mom had a note on the back, "for Kevin and Holly's bed", with measurements.

My sis-in-law passed last spring, at age 50 of metastatic ovarian cancer. My brother is currently on walkabout, learning to live without his companion of 33 years. Mom lived with them and their boys the last few years of her life, and the date on her notes is about a year before she had her first stroke. She began doing smaller projects, and EPP a as therapy for her fine motor control. While mom made quilts for most of her 12 grandchildren, my brother's boys didn't get one before her final stoke. My plan is to make two smaller quilts for them out of this fabric, and perhaps embroider her note on the back for them. Now I just need to figure out how to resize a queen quilt into two smaller quilts!

Im so glad you found all of that out! What a wonderful project you have to work on now!