Treasures
Whenever I go to my Grandma's, I don't leave empty handed. My recent visit was no exception. All the quilt talk from the expo reminded her of one that she started back in the late 60's when my mom was a girl. She made this quilt using my mom and her sister's dresses. She completed one for my mom's sister, but never got around to finishing my mom's. All that is left to do on it is some quilting. And guess what? She gave it to me! It had been packed up in a box for YEARS!!! I LOVE it! It was fun looking at it with my mom and grandma. They were reminiscing about which fabrics went with which outfits. Look at those fabrics - some of them are so neat. I think I'll take my time and finish hand quilting this quilt (after 40 years of incompletion, who's in a hurry?).
But that wasn't all. Here are some quilt pieces she started way back when. I'm not sure what I'll do with these.
She also gave me this old apron. I can remember playing dress up with this. I was surprised she still had it.
An embroidered table runner that belonged to my great aunt Hazel. It's in pretty bad shape, but I may be able to salvage some of the embroidery to use in some kind of project.
Last but not least are these table linens that my Maw maw remembers eating lunch on every Sunday afternoon.
She also pulled out a zip lock bag filled with old quilting patterns that belonged to her grandma from the 20's-40's. I didn't get any pictures, but they were so cool. I think the most interesting part was the advertising on the backs of the patterns - ladies in flapper dresses. Most of the patterns are from magazines, some were mail order, and one was from a package of batting. These will be mine one day, after my grandma shows them off, of course. I need to do some research on how to best preserve and store them. When I get my hands on them I'll be sure to blog about it , no doubt!
ohhh, love the pink quilt with the bees. that's some super fabric!
Posted by: babybug | October 19, 2006 at 05:48 AM
What truly wonderful gifts, beautiful things with family memories, hierlooms to treasure and one day pass on to be cherished by someone else.
Posted by: carolyn | October 19, 2006 at 06:55 AM
Treasure! I'm so glad your grandmother saved all these things and is passing them on to you. I am sure she knows how much you will enjoy them.
Posted by: Cathy | October 19, 2006 at 08:19 AM
That brought back memories. I remember my mom teaching me how to make my very own quilt from old fabric scraps she used when making clothes for me and her. I measured and cut all of my pieces, sewed them all together, and put it down and never finished it. That was about 20 years ago. I may ask my mom if she still has it and I may finish it up. I'm pretty sure she does because she doesn't throw away anything!
Posted by: krystal | October 19, 2006 at 09:41 AM
I love quilts like that! My mom has one that my grandma made from the families old clothes scraps too. It is so neat! Just think one day you will able to pass all that family history on to your girls too!
Posted by: MéLisa | October 19, 2006 at 11:27 AM
Oh my goodness - what a treasure trove!
Posted by: lla | October 19, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Those would be beautiful, incredible finds if you scored them at a thrift shop, but the fact that they come from your family just makes them all the more special. What a great gift!
Posted by: Mary-Heather | October 19, 2006 at 11:41 AM
you hit the Maw Maw jackpot!!!!
love the little bee fabric!!
Posted by: lera | October 19, 2006 at 12:01 PM
What a precious gift she has given you in the quilt! And the apron - isn't it nice to look at now as an adult? I'll bet you appreciate it more.
Posted by: linda | October 19, 2006 at 01:44 PM
treasures is right!!!
love the bumble bee fabric.
Posted by: elizabeth | October 19, 2006 at 02:09 PM
Oh, drool! The quilt is amazing, and so are so many of those other things. I am headed to Granpa's this weekend, and you have me in the mood to clean out closets or something! :)
Also, those pics below: you are one sexy chic! :)
Posted by: denice | October 19, 2006 at 05:55 PM
Wow! You hit the jackpot! Not only are those items beautiful, but given the fact that they have so much meaning makes them priceless. Lucky you!
Posted by: Karyn | October 19, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Hey, that aapron is super cute.
What fun. That is great you remember bplaying with it as a young girl.
Posted by: krista | October 19, 2006 at 06:44 PM
How sweet! That's better than thrifting. Grandma has such good taste! :o)
Posted by: deb | October 20, 2006 at 08:49 AM
howlucky. My grandmother died when I was 16, too young to appreciate her skills - she was an amazing seamstress - and too young to be interested in any of her fabric or projects. So much stuff got simply thrown away...
Posted by: monica | October 20, 2006 at 10:51 AM
Look at those quilts and those prints! WOW! Indeed some treasures.
Posted by: Debhogan | October 20, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Thanks for sharing your treasures! All are wonderful but I'm panting over those dresden plates! Wow - can't wait to see those again!
Posted by: Amy | October 20, 2006 at 06:59 PM
what a wonderful gift. it is always so much fun to sit down with relatives and get stories behind the items they have. there is just so much history to be learned.
i can not wait to see the patters. you will need to make few items.
Posted by: christina | October 20, 2006 at 11:33 PM
Oooohhh! Lovely lovely treasures! I love stories like these. You're so lucky to still be able to hear the family history from your mom and grandma, Beki! Enjoy every last word!
Posted by: leanne | October 21, 2006 at 09:44 PM
What a treat you've had...I enjoyed seeing your new treasures and also really like the 'bee' material. and the embroidery!
Posted by: Maggie Ann | October 22, 2006 at 10:08 PM
ok - that quilt is about the coolest thing ever. lucky you!
Posted by: erin | October 23, 2006 at 08:47 PM
I looooove the bees fabric!
Posted by: Barb | October 25, 2006 at 01:57 PM