A few months ago, Julie sent a box of 24 blocks from a quilt top she purchased on ebay.
The seller said it was from Ohio and made around the 1940's.
Julie said I'll "know what to do with them." I hope she's right!
After being awe-struck over and over again at the beautiful old fabrics and petting them constantly,
I decided to patch the few holes and embroider the fabric edges,
similar to old crazy quilts.
I started with a simple blanket stitch, and decided I liked it. It's also helping to reinforce the hand stitching that was done on foundations of various fabrics.
It's fun to ponder about the original maker of this quilt, the sources of her fabrics,
the purpose of the quilt, and the stories behind it.
And Beth sent this lovely bag. The image is from an old card that her mother had.
Dogwoods and butterflies were my mother's favorites, and she was from Texas, like Beth.
I love those sweet little coincidences. It's perfect for carrying my embroidery thread.
On Friday, I'll travel to NYC to stay at Victoria's loft while she and her family go to Australia.
I've never explored NYC, and I'm SO looking forward to it.
You can see what I'll be working on while keeping the dogs company!
THANK YOU JULIE, BETH and VICTORIA!
The generosity of quilt-makers always astounds me!
Those blocks and the bag are fabulous! Have a great time in NYC at Victoria's!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blocks and beautiful bag! I think Julie is right. You will know exactly what to do with them. Have a great time in NY.
ReplyDeleteOh I wish I could come visit you at the loft....you'll have a great time. We had a ball at Christmas times, the museums, the food :0), the whole atmosphere is just fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget to enjoy Victoria's great sewing room and scrap bins!
Safe travels and Happy New York City
Your new blocks are looking wonderful. The stitching totally complements them! Have fun in NY!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to contemplate the blocks & their maker. I'm pleased the pouch is in good use. And have a wonderful time in NYC!!!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be V's housesitter!!! *vbg* Darn this day job that gets in the way of fun. Have a fabulous trip, she is located in the best place, bring great walking shoes and soak it all up!
ReplyDeleteooooooh, fun all around. you'll have a great time in NYC!
ReplyDeletehow long will you be in town!?!
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip, and if there's any chance you get bored in manhattan and want to spend an afternoon out in the suburbs, let me know~~
Lovely gifts! Wish you a great stay in NYC...
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Julie certainly chose the right person for the job. You always get it right. Have a blast in NYC.
ReplyDeleteI was living in Ohio during that era and those fabrics do look like home. I love the way you are embellishing those blocks, They are lucky to have found you.
ReplyDeleteLovely gifts! Enjoy New York! I'm still thinking about your red zig zag that you started on another trip to New York.
ReplyDeleteFabulous blocks. I didn't know you could buy such treasures on eBay. The fabrics are precious. I like what you are doing with them so far. Looking forward to seeing what's next.our
ReplyDeleteThose blocks are to die for! Every fabric is way cool!! They're in the right hands and I love what you are doing with them. Beth's gift is a treasure! You'll have the most wonderful time in New York, I was there for 2 weeks about 5 years ago and loved every minute. One place off the beaten track that I really enjoyed was the Noguchi museum.
ReplyDeleteI love these blocks, are BELLISSIMI.
ReplyDeleteciao Linda
the stitching looks great on those blocks
ReplyDeletehave fun in NYC
Wow! Love how you honor those fabulous old prints. Beautiful! Have fun in NYC!!!
ReplyDeleteI just KNEW that you would do something fabulous with those deserving blocks - and you ARE!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy NY - our son and DIL love visiting the city (she grew up across the river in NJ)
I wish I was housesitting! I will have to volunteer for that job as I would love to get back to NYC. I would be tramping thru every store in the garment district! Have a great time! Those blocks are great! I have several bins of vintage fabrics that those blocks remind me of.
ReplyDeletewhat lovely blocks. they fell into the right hands. i am sure that you are giving them the care they deserve so that they can be appreciated for more years to come! a great hommage to the original maker!
ReplyDeleteWish I was going to be around next week... I would totally meet up with you for a day! I am going the opposite direction of you and heading to sunny AZ! Have a terrific time!
ReplyDeleteThey are looking so gorgeous with your hand stitching! Cheerful blocks!
ReplyDeleteIt's not bound yet, but otherwise it's done... my RED quilt is posted at my blog (scroll down one post, I think)... at giraffe dreams.
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ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful time in NYC. Hope you enjoyed the parade yesterday. I don't know why everyone was wearing green , when we all know red is your color!
ReplyDeleteThose blocks from the forties look so nice with the embroidery you put on it, I just love the way it looks.
ReplyDeleteKarin
Just saw your awesome quilts at the QA show--they were some of my favorites. LeeAnn, you are an artist.
ReplyDeletewow! lucky you on two counts! have fun! Loved all your quilts at the QA show.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nifty. Lovely old fabrics. You are working on Memory, layering Memory, which is always fascinating to me. Cool flower quilt in the previous post and I especially liked your red quilt with all the other red quilts you've done. You are so prolific! Where do you put them all? Fortunately, I work slowly--I've still got room!
ReplyDeletebest, nadia
I'm a new follower. I was refered iver by Sharon of the Fabrics 'N flowers blog. I was telling her how I get let over scrappy pants legs and skirt & dress tails from my Mums alteratiosn shop and I try and use them to quilt with. She said I must check out your blog.
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