9/5/15

Stitches in Time

This morning, I spent some time working on the last of the four little hand-stitching projects I made up for my morning stitching pleasure. I'm very nearly finished with this one for Lisa's quilt:


Except for the books and the words at the top and bottom, it's all stitched up. Since you know I can't be without hand stitching to work on, I headed into the sewing room to make up Block #2 for the Hocuspocusville quilt. Fortunately, I didn't need the sewing machine because I found this freeloader napping on my sewing chair.


Excuse me? Did you say, "Your chair"? Clearly, this is my chair because I am currently occupying it. But give me a minute to consider the questionable merits of your dubious claim. In the meantime, I have some serious purrsonal hygiene matters to take care of.


[Lick, lick, lick, snort, lick, purr, mmm, lick...] 

Yes, I've considered your claim and find it to be completely unfounded. Now...[yawn]...please allow me to get back to my nap.


This is what I deal with on a daily basis. Anyway...the Hocuspocusville block. The next one is "Hester's U-Pick".


Even with a few days' head start, this one should keep me busy the entire time we're in Moab. I like taking these one-color stitcheries when we're traveling. It keeps things simple, although I am using orange for the pumpkins in these bocks.

While I was putting things away, which meant turning off and covering up my light box, it occurred to me that you might enjoy seeing this little quilt I use to protect surface of the light box. This is a little doll quilt my grandmother made for me. It's all made up of little one-inch squares of vintage prints. 


There is no batting...just the top and bottom layer. It's all hand pieced and tied. If you look carefully, you can see her little hand stitches.


There is no binding, just her hand-stitching at the edges.


Here's how it looks from the back.


My maternal grandmother was the quilter in my family. She had only two grandchildren: my brother and me, and she cherished both of us. There are a number of doll quilts in my cedar chest, and I imagine she often thought of me when considering how to use her scraps. Given the number she left behind, I believe most of them went into doll quilts for me.

My mother was a wonderful seamstress, but she never did any quilting that I am aware of. My mother taught me to sew, but my grandmother was the inspiration for me learning to quilt. She passed away on New Year's Day in 1973, and I didn't learn to quilt until July of 2008. Still, it was always on the list of things I wanted to learn to do. There is another one of her little doll quilts hanging on the wall of my sewing room. This one is made from a combination of wools, cottons, and other fabrics...silk, maybe. 


Here's the back. It reminds me of the sort of fabric a gentleman's vest might have been made from...or the lining of a jacket.


Anyway...these are precious pieces, and I'm glad I still have them to hold close even though she's been gone for more than four decades. It's a good reason for being a quilter, don't you think? Our quilts will no doubt outlive us, and hopefully, bring warmth to those we leave behind.

Around noon yesterday, I managed to get a start quilting the Vintage Tin quilt. I like quilting these embroidered blocks. The quilting sort of fills in the gaps of the story the embroidery begins to tell. There's still more to do on this one, but I've given the garage some siding, some texture to the trees, some clouds in the sky, and some rumples in the dirt. I still want to do some more siding on the right side of the garage and add more texture in the trees. Also, I like to give a little bit of outline to the main structures. In this case, the garage and the cars. Then I'll outline the whole block. It looks better on the back when the blocks are defined, I think.


I'll pick up there today, but I have some housework to do first. We're coming down the home stretch of getting ready for our trip to Moab, and there's still plenty to do. Most of the food is finished, but I still want to make a few little non-cooked items. Also, I'm trying a new soup recipe today. It takes several hours to make, and so I'll get an early start on dinner this afternoon.

It's a good Saturday agenda, and it's time to get going on it.

14 comments:

quiltzyx said...

Poor Smitty, constantly being bothered while in his chair. Sigh.
It's wonderful how you've been using the crayons on more blocks for Lisa's quilt. One of our guild opportunity quilts was done that way too, and folks just loved it!

Quilting Babcia said...

Always nice to see those treasured quilts your grandma made. I hope someday my granddaughter will treasure the ones I've made for her. It's our legacy to them.

gayle said...

At least your cat considered your request. Our cat just pretends I don't exist. Unless he wants his belly scratched - then I exist...
I have some of my grandmothers' quilts, too. And an all-wool one made by my great-grandmother. I treasure them all.

Dana Gaffney said...

I thought you left today for your trip. Love those old quilts, there's a lot of love in them.

Vicki W said...

How nice to have such great memories and treasures from your Grandmother!

Kate said...

Beautiful doll quilts. It's good to have those heirlooms to remember her with. Looks like you got lots done with both the hand work and the machine work.

Michele said...

I so understand your problem with the chair though in this house he doesn't bother my sewing chair but instead climbs up behind me while I'm in the office chair on the computer.

LethargicLass said...

Those doll quilts are so precious :)

Teresa in Music City said...

What treasure!!!! I agree that often our quilting grandmothers are the inspiration for us to take up the art of quilting and carry on their creative legacies. Hmmmm... I wonder if Smitty's forebears sat in their quilters' chairs in times past? Enjoy your Sunday!

Quilter Kathy said...

Freeloader cat is very well-spoken! LOL
Loved seeing your heirloom quilts from your Grandma!
Such a warm fuzzy to think about the threads that still bind you together.

Dar said...

Poor Smitty. He is most welcome to come visit me and not be disturbed during naptime.. My DH naps a lot in his recliner and there is an empty one near by that Smitty could call his own. Also, I could use his help in the sewing room. My UFOs are out of control. When is he available to travel - I'll send a ticket!

Your doll quilts are precious and what a treasure. Have a good Sunday and enjoy your upcoming trip.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I know the feeling, one or the other furkid has been napping in my sewing chair and lucky for them I was not in need of it today. Yes, I actually took a new sewing day. What treasures are those doll quilts! Obviously you take very good care of them as they are in such wonderful condition.

Brown Family said...

I have one quilt that my grandmother made. It is tattered and worn, but loved. I have the doll quilt my mom made for me. Its back and binding are bubble gum pink. We lobe our little treasures!

Tami C said...

Loved your doll quilts that your grandmother made for you. You were lucky to have her near you as you were growing up. It was my mother-in-law that got me interested in quilting. Love that she's still with us! Have fun in Moab!