Two Surprises for me today
 

I went to visit my Mama and Daddy this afternoon and took a little something to work on while I was there. Mama had two surprises for me.

1. She brought out a butterfly quilt top I never had seen that was made by one of my aunts. Aunt Lois died 20 years ago. Mama gave it to me. I am now taking it apart (she had sashings that were over 10 inches wide and there is none of the same fabric left to go around the quilt.) I think by taking it apart and making the sashing smaller I can use the same fabric she planned but be able to complete the quilt. I may add a second border as well.
2. Mama also mentioned her brother had said she could have my grandmother's machine. (She said I could have it :) ) I know this might not be special for the rest of you but Mama's mother died when Mama was eleven. She barely knew her and of course I never knew her. Very few of her belongs exist and I am thrilled at the idea of getting the machine. I haven't seen it since I was a small child when my Papa was alive. I know it is in rough shape, but Uncle Bill says it still sews. Now I will be waiting on pins and needles ( kinda fitting for a quilter until Mama makes another trip to Tennessee.

WOW that is wonderful for you, you'll need to share pics of the quilt before and after, and also the machine when you get it.

How wonderful! I am so happy for you.

Great surprises !!!:thumbup::thumbup:

What a blessing you received

[ATTACH=CONFIG]283128[/ATTACH]Adding a photo of part of the top.

Note the large sashing and the nice aplique work.

I know this warmed your heart so much! Happy for you!

wow, aren't suprises great? wtg!

I agree with your decision to reduce the sashing size and save the fabric for finishing the top. It will look great. Most older quilts had large open sections for lots of fancy hand quilting. It's so nice your getting an heirloom machine. You can sit and sew and think about all the woman in your family that have used it before you.

WOW - How wonderful for you. Great quilt, too. I love butterflies.

How wonderful for you! Nice quilt too!

Since your aunt has been gone so long and you were never able to meet your grandmother these things are a special connection to your past. Enjoy your treasures!!

How I wish I had some of the machines from my family. Love your butterfly quilt top....keep us posted as you work on it:)

how wonderful! I took apart a quilt that was SBS and had that wide sashing..just swallowed up the blocks..cut the strips in half and put them all back together....was enough for the outer border and binding..I added a 30's repro fabric border as well.

be sure to show us pix later..and do NOT forget to make a label!

The quilt is so special, a real treasure.

http://www.quilterbydesign.com/kansascitystar.html

here is some of the info about the Kansas City Star Quilt Patterns...of which your Butterfly is one of the two butterfly applique quilts that is most commonly found today, probably indicating that they were two of the most popular patterns sold by the newspaper... they printed the patterns free in the paper but they also sold the pre-cut pcs for many of the applique styles...that is why you will see antique KC Star quilts with the same prints in them...I have one (from my husband's great aunt) that is the other common butterfly pattern...Congratulations, ...I know you will enjoy working with your family quilt, just as if they were still there alongside...

Hooray for you! Great butterfly top, and a family machine too! :)

You were blessed today with two family heirlooms. Lucky you. I thin your idea is a good one.

That is really nice for you. I think it is great.

Vicki, I am so happy that you have been given items that have been in your family for so long. I know by your excitement that they will be taken care of and passed down to future generations.

Congratulations!!!! I love the yellow sashing and the butterflies just pop right out at you. You must be on cloud nine after recieving two antique family memories. Have fun bringing them both back to a new life.

Wonderful!---Memories!

That is a wonderful suprise for you!

Those butterfly blocks are beautiful. Have fun renovating the quilt top. Hope you get the machine soon.

That's great that you received 2 surprises in one visit!

Did you get any of the work done that you took with you ?

That is a wonderful surprise!! The quilt will be lovely when completed! Please post pic when it's done!!!
:thumbup:

What a beautiful quilt! Having the quilt and your grandmother's machine is such a wonderful family treasure. Can't wait to see the pictures of the machine when you get it home.

Pat

What a special blessing!

Two very wonderful unexpected surprises! I know you will care for the items with great love. Very happy for you.

What an neat way to start my morning. Reading your story is coo;/ I think the quilts that you make now will have these two wonderful women, helping you from the other side. I am like the others, show us the pictures and above all enjoy the experinces that you have ahead!!

What wonderful gifts of love and memories. Enjoy

Fantastic. Don't you love getting surprises. My mom is always getting me little special things always brightens up my week.

What wonderful surprises for you! :)

This will look great with the sashings cut smaller. Love the butterflies.

Very cool Vicki

I have a quilt that my mother made using the same butterfiies. I just love it. she used smaller sashings.. she didn't make many quilts

What a great inheritance!! Please show us pictures when you get it.