My quilt card from yesterday’s post stirred up memories for many of you. It also brought back loving memories of my grandmother and her quilting bees for me. It also inspired me to re-visit one of my family heirlooms. It isn’t pretty. It’s tattered and torn, and bears the soil of over 150 years. Yet the fact that it even exists, is in itself a small miracle. This is all that is left of a quilt which belonged to my great grandparents. While there are examples of older quilts, and much prettier quilts, and definitely cleaner quilts, this quilt survived a cyclone on the Iowa prairie. It was found in a tree top far from what had been the family homestead. Over time, it was passed on to my grandmother, then to my mother, and finally to me.
As I photographed it today, I found myself wondering more about its history. From where did the fabrics come? Were they from the shirts and dresses of my great grandparents, or even great-great relatives? Was it lovingly stitched in the evening by candlelight, or in the light of day after chores were completed. I would have loved to know more, but unfortunately its secrets will lie forever hidden. As the newest keeper of the quilt, I will pass it on to my son. I will share what I know about its story…that on a stormy Iowa day this confection of calico left its home for loftier heights.
There’s Still Time
There is still time to take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s biggest sale of the year! Earn free product with your $50 order! To see what is available in the Sale-A-Bration brochure click Here.
Microbead Winner
Congratulations to Linda Fisher! Linda, #36, was randomly selected. Her comment:
The perfect quilt! The Box In Star pattern is one of my favorites. Another incredible job.
I would like to thank Linda and everyone who left comments! There will be more opportunities for Blog Candy in the future, as I continue to re-organize my stamping supplies! Linda, just send me your address, and I will send out your microbeads pronto! Until next time…
Coming Up:
The Paper Players card AND Simple Bow Video Tutorial!
Ann, what a lovely story and what a tribute them. As I told you before alot of my mothers and grandmothers quilts and squares are gone now. They were amazing girls and women to make such beautiful works of art. Have a wonderful day.
Beautiful post!!! You stirred many memories for me today, I didn’t connect your card with my memories, but I sure did your picture today. I so cherish my quilts, too!!! Hugs,
Your quilt is a very rare heirloom.
Something to survive all that it did,
and is 150 years old, doesn’t happen very often. Especially since it is made of material!
What an amazing story and thanks for sharing!
Jennifer, Calgary
Ann, I loved reading your story about your heirloom quilt. You are quite the writer. Have you ever considered being an author and having your work published?
Your story reminded me of a quilt front I inherited from my grandmother, made by my great-grandmother. It has never been made into a completed quilt. Now the fabric is so fragile, I’ve considered covering it with new voile and then backing it. I’d love to see it more often than when I sort through stuff to make room for new things. It will never leave my posession though.
TFS!
That is truly a story to treasure. I have a lovely memory of watching my grandmother and her friends quilting at the quilt frame at her large dining room table. Thanks for bringing that back to me.
Oh Ann, what an wonderful family heirloom with an awesome history. Such a treasure.
This quilt is beautiful! I, too, have quilters in my family, and they are very special to me. I also loved the pearl on Brody. Muffy must be jealous. She says”Girls are supposed to have bling.”
what a wonderful story-even more is the fact that you have an heirloom quilt that is this old-I know you treasure it
hi Ann, I just found your blog. I love your style. I love the fact that your stuff does not have the “stmpin up look” and I love the, often surprising but always fantastic, colour choices you make for your cards. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration. Keep it up!!
Deanne
Sydney, Australia
xx
TFS the amazing story and picture of your priceless heirloom quilt! As the other ladies stated: what stories it could tell if only it could talk. One of my obsessions is genealogy research. As you collect those names and put them together on paper you cannot help but wonder what challenges and experiences they faced each day, what their life was like. Thanks again, Ann; have a great day.
What a wonderful story – and if only that quilt could talk! That is a treasure! I do hope that at least one of my quilts can be handed down from generation to generation. Thank you for sharing Ann!
What a beautiful story you have to tell and a gorgeous heirloom. To think of all the history that quilt has seen! Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
{sMILES}
Neat story! Nothing will replace your family heirloom. But, if you want a new quilt, I used to work with a lady that makes them. Let me know and I will bring it to you when I am home this summer.
Chris
What a cool story and fantastic treasure you have! I love the fact that it’s been passed down through your family and survived a Iowa cyclone… Now I have visions of your ancestors as Laura Ingalls Wilder’s family living on the Plains – so cool!!!
Wow, Ann! What a awesome story! I got goose-bumps because I just love hearing stories about family history. Your quilt is a beautiful heirloom that will be treasured for generations, I’m sure. 🙂
Wonderful story and thank you for sharing with us. One of my prized possessions is a quilt that was made and given to my grandparents for their 50th wedding anniversary. While it is still relatively new (less than 20 years old), my grandmother passed it on to me before her memory started to fail her. We always had a special bond and though she might struggle to remember now, I have that quilt and so many wonderful memories from childhood.
Wow 150 YEARS? That’s fantastic! what a great story to pass down and what a great heirloom.
Personally I love old quilts that washed and washed and washed and they get softer and softer. LOVE to curl in them when they get out of the dryer. Hugs.
What an amazing story! I looooove looking at antiques and “old things” because it makes me think “I wonder where this has been?” That quilt is a wonderful heirloom that definitely deserves to be cherished =D