In addition to their visit, my sister brought me some craft odds and sods that she had no use for anymore. She had attempted knitting a number of years ago and finally came to the realization that she is just not going to finish those scarves that she started in the eighties. So I inherited another box full of yarn...score number two.
The greatest treasure in the box of wonders however was this wonderful blast from the past...
This is a quilt in progress that my sister salvaged from the old farmstead after our grandparents passed away. To give a bit of background, my parents are quite a bit older than one would expect for someone my age, therefore making my grandparents that much older as well. My sister (also a wee bit older than I, but we won't go into details there!) and I, sitting at the kitchen table, marvelling over this work of art and craft, suspect that my grandmother started this sometime in the 1930's. It's just a guess, but the vintage fabrics seem to suggest that time period.
I think it is just stunningly beautiful. I don't know if it's simply because of the black and white photos of the era, but when I think of the 20's, 30's and 40's, I just seem to envision a rather dull time. But these fabrics are so bright, vibrant and cheerful, despite the fact that they appear a little washed out in those photos (lots of light in here...not complaining). And still in really good shape. There are enough fans started there for 35 more blocks. And yes, this is all hand stitched. From the piecing to the applique to the blocks...all hand stitched. Huge huge huge score. So I plan to finish it. I don't know what I will do about the pink centres though. There's not enough fabric for that and I want to stay as true to the original intention as possible. I'll likely hand stitch it all as well, which means I have to learn to applique.
Final score came yesterday in the mail. I really don't know how it happened, but I was logged into Ravelry one day and before I knew it, I had ordered a t-shirt and a 3button pack. What I really wanted was the back ladies tee with disagree (1) on it, but they never seem to have any of those in stock. This is the unisex XL, which I figure I can alter if I really need to. It'll probably be a lazing around the house shirt anyway, as I don't anticipate enjoying having to explain what it means if I were to wear it out in public.
These are the buttons...the ID and the other two small ones. I'm going to practice writing my ID before putting it on the button. So, ya know, 'nother score.
Good weekend...today I'm puttering in the craft room. I have to come up with some kind of temporary window coverings for the living room here in the house. It's kind of disconcerting that the neighbours can she eveything that is going on from the ground floor windows.
Until later...
5 comments:
I have an idea for you quilt .. just working out the math of it. How big are the completed blocks?Is there any Pink Left?
I have a quilt that my Great-Grandmother made for me. The thing I love about it is that most of the fabric was her clothing or myGgrandfather's. And - totally cool - most of the fabric from their clothes came from flour sacks. I would be happy to pay more for flour if it came packaged with a yard of awesome calico!
Glad your weekend went well. Love the quilt. Remind me to show you mine some KN.
Also love the T shirt!
That quilt is going to be simply gorgeous! (It is now, but I'm talking finished thing, y'know.) Good luck with the hand quilting. I can't use a machine let alone do that all by hand. That's how my grandmother made hers, though.
Oh what a treasure, an absolute treasure!
As for the pink fabric, you may want to determine whether or not it is cotton or a polycotton blend. This will make a difference in what you substitute with as they age differently.
If it is cotton, you may be able to find a fairly close colour match at Keepsake Quilting which carries a line of solids in 30's pastels.
How exciting!
P.S. I don't understand the T-shirt. I'm going to stare at it some more, but maybe you could give me a hint?
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