I. RESCUE QUILT PROJECTS
For me, there is something honorable and deeply satisfying about working with the fabrics and threads of an older quilt.
I enjoy working with abandoned, unfinished quilt tops as well as survivors ~ those nearly worn out and obviously well-loved quilts that need TLC and resuscitation ~ especially those first stitched by my grandmothers.
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Each collage below will enlarge when clicked.
Captioned names will eventually contain links to details about the quilt(s).
And in case you wonder about my sanity/process and these older beauties, click HERE to read another quilter's thoughts.
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May 2013
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| Ongoing Conversation (completed 2013) |
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| Mom's Christmas Scarf |
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| Elsie's Embroidery |
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| Elsie's Aprons (2004) |
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| Birds Reborn (2004) |
The 70s quilt
Commissioned to finish an unfinished top
Read the story using the links below
First post - First Squirrel of 2020
Second post - So Much Thinking . . .
Third post - Sharing "The Plan”
Fourth post - Piecing the Scrappy Back
Fifth post - Ready to Pin Baste
Sixth post - Answering Questions
Seventh post - The 70s Quilt is Quilted!
Eighth post - The 70s Quilt is Finished and Delivered
II. LEGACY QUILTS
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| Pennsylvania quilts from DH's family |
I was blessed to inherit several vintage quilts from our families.
Both of my grandmothers loved to piece.
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| Mabel Anna Howell Ash |
My maternal grandmother sent her tops off to "the church ladies in Detroit" (Michigan) for quilting.
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| Elsie Lucretia Race Walton |
My paternal grandmother stored her unfinished tops in her cedar chest.
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| Miss Angel (1995-2010) - Our Quilt Manager |
Now, all of these treasured quilts live at our house, where they are being enjoyed and appreciated
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| Vintage blue and white from Pennsylvania |
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| Vintage scrappy from Pennsylvania |
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| Hand Applique from Pennsylvania |
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| Grandmother's Flower Garden |
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| Grandma A's Double Wedding Ring |
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| 1891 Crazy Quilt |
My great-great grandmother's quilt is now part of the permanent collection of the International Quilt Study Center and Museum at Lincoln, Nebraska.
Here is some of what appeared in the catalog when the quilt
was hung as part of the museum's A Fairyland of Fabrics: The Victorian Crazy Quilt exhibition in 2009:
Crazy quilt, made by Mary ("Martha") Elizabeth North Ash,
probably made in Michigan, United States, circa 1890-1900, 71.5 x 68 in, IQSCM 2008.011.0001
Made by Mary Elizabeth North Ash in the late 1800s, this quilt remained within the family until it was gifted to the International Quilt Study Center in 2008.
The quilt references several generations of the Ash family and includes the names of friends as well. It is a fine example of the family history that can be incorporated into the highly personal designs of a Crazy quilt. The four daughters of Mary and John Ash
are referenced in one block with the initials “R.L.A.” for Ruth Lena Ash, initial “A” for Adelaide Imogene Ash, initial “M” for Mattie, and the full name “Hattie.”
In another block, their brother’s name, William James Ash is abbreviated to “W.J. Ash” and appears with his son’s name, “Lacey” along with an ornate “A” for Ash.
Even the family cat was honored with his face depicted in one of the quilt blocks.
Look for the small black pocketbook with burgundy handles that appears on the quilt. When accessioning the quilt into the Quilt Center’s collection, a yellowed and fragile advertising page of ladies’ late 19th-century jackets was found folded in the purse. No one knows who put it there or why it was important enough to keep for over 100 years.
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