I wrote a book and the dang server chewed it up :lol: . Anyhow

I wanted to share a couple of quilts with you. My Grandma passed away 14 years ago this month, and I always think of her a bit more at this time of year. She was born in 1917 and passed in 1993 some how doesn't seem that long ago, I owe her a great deal as she taught me the basics to alot of very useful crafts, also how to cook and take care of a house.

This first quilt is one I made as a memorial to her was started in November 1993 and it took me 3 years to finish it. Was hand pieced over papers using the English piecing method, My Grandma had taught me to piece hexagons over papers and that was the only method I knew at the time. I had no rulers or rotary cutters and the patts were drawn using pages from an old school maths book. It is made with all sorts of different fabrics of all kinds of different weight, so it has held up pretty well considering.

The backing is a polished chintz that I have mentioned previously that came from Grandmas' stash. It was terrible stuff to quilt :? but even now looking back I wouldn't have it any other way. Making this quilt bought me alot of comfort at the time as I remembered all the things we had shared as I stitched it. It is hand quilted and I have included a couple of pics of parts of the back to try and show you, the quilting doesn't show up very well though. I called this quilt "Grandmas' Allsorts", I think that was rather appropriate :P

More pics to come

Wow, it is beautiful, truly a labour of love.

Thanks so much zyxquilts :P , the next quilt I wanted to show you is really special it is the most valuable heirloom I own. But am having some probs with the server so am posting the pics, then adding words, so here goes, wish me luck :D

This quilt was made by my Grandma in the late 30s - early 40s so would be close to 70 years old now, it is a true example of using what you have. My grandmother had a sewing machine because she used to take in sheets and napkins for a factory to hem as out work at home. So this quilt is all machine made, which I think may be a little unusual for it's time.

I love this quilt because it reminds me that even when things are really bad we as people so often find a way to create beauty even amidst great hardship. When she made this she had 4 little children to support with very little means to do it with. Delinquent husband, we won't go into the details, but I'm sure you've heard similar. They needed warmth, so she stitched together what she had to create warmth and made it pretty as well :P I know it looks a little tired now but In it's day this quilt would have been a bright and cheery light in a dark hour.

I'm happy to tell you that things did indeed get alot better for my gradmother and she later married a lovely man who took good care of her and was the man I knew as my Grandfather :P

Hi Shelly - I just joined this thread and think what you have done to remember your grandmother is very special. The picture of her quilt from the 1930's surprised me quite a bit. I inherited a quilt top very similar to that - and it was made in Maine, USA. I would post a picture but it is in the quilt shop waiting to be made into a quilt. Where did your grandmother live when she made yours? Sally :)

You are so lucky to have these quilts and the quilting on the one you did is beautiful. My grandmother worked in a shirt factory in the 30s to the late 50s. she had a machine and was allowed to bring home scraps. I still am trying to get one of her old quilts from some cousins.

Those are really beautiful. I love the one that you made. The quilting is exquisit (spelling i'm sure is wrong). What a wonderful labor of love. I'm sure that your Grandma was looking down from Heaven and smiling the whole time. Great Job!!

Those are lovely. What a treasure!

What a beautiful tribute to your grandma Shelly! Your hand work is amazing!!!

I enjoyed looking at her old quilts, and hearing a bit of her history. I love knowing the story behind the quilt. :) Thank you so much for posting those for us to see. It's wonderful that you have such fond memories. :)