My friend is working on this quilt.
It was pieced by her husband’s grandmother! The exact age is not known…but the grandmother passed away 49 years ago. So it is VERY old.
The fans are from the original quilt top, but through time the material they were attached to deteriated. So she just couldn’t stand the thought of throwing it away.
She patiently and carefully disassembled the fans from the quilt top, with the help of her mother. She picked out new material and sewed the original fans onto new quilt squares.
She now has it on the quilting frame and is attaching it. We had fun looking at all the fans and how different they were. You can really tell that it is old material. It feels different, the patterns are not what you normally find today.
Look at all the stitching that already has been done….and there is a lot more to come.
You couldn’t help but wonder where the scraps of material came from originally. Was it a favorite shirt, dress or an apron. Clothes were worn until they practically wore out. It was then that they were used for other purposes.
I couldn’t help but notice her pin cushion. I remember my mama having one just like that.
She shared with me that one of the thimbles is hers and one is her mother’s. Although her mother cannot sew any longer, she keeps it close and it feels as if she is there working alongside. They have pieced many quilts together through the years. What wonderful memories to hold in your heart.
There have been two different sides of this family that have lovingly worked on this project. Oh, it could have been tossed away and forgotten. But there is just something special about seeing stitches hand sewn over 50 years ago by someone that is a part of you. You can’t help but admire, treasure and respect it, knowing someone put so much time and love into it.
I think these quilts did more than keep you warm they warmed the heart as well.
I've Gone Country 