When I was a little girl, it wasn’t uncommon for mothers and especially grandmothers to mind their spare time making keepsakes for their family. One very popular keepsake of those times was hand-sewn quilts.
This is an artwork, I very much admired and truly wanted to take a stab at. Life in a more complex and modern world has a way of pulling a young woman into many other directions – higher education and career. By the time family life begins or at least for me I was too overwhelmed tending to the children and keeping the home.
How on earth did our mothers or grandmothers find time to make such lovely quilts in their day? Think about it. Some of our parents and most of our grandmothers did not have the electrical whiz-bang conveniences like a microwave, washer & dryer, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner… and yet they made hand-sewn quilts such as these.
The Dutch Boy and Dutch Girl or Sunbonnet Sue is perhaps one of my favorite designs. Maybe it’s because I saw my grandma making these. This pattern always captured my fancy. Another design I was fond of is the basket quilt or tulip quilt…
There were many stars, flowers, patch, and block pattern quilts, too. Each design has a story, a history to learn. Read Quilt Pattern History.
I never had the time to pursue my desire to quilt. To create my own keepsakes for my children and children’s children. I do believe we’re never too old to learn new things. As I look ahead I foresee my family growing by exponentially, then perhaps it’s time this old dog puppy learns a new trick.
Quilting is truly an art form, a timeless keepsake to pass from generation to generation.
Learn the basics of quilting with Beginning Quilt Series. Check out Free Crib & Doll Quilt Patterns
Here’s a funny, interesting tidbit you may find amusing. My grandmother has ALWAYS spelled my name KATHY. I cannot for the life of me figure this one out. I sign every card, every letter Cathy. Oh, well it makes no difference to me. At least you don’t address me as, Hey You! I’ll always be KATHY to her.
For more ‘K’ posts, visit Miss Jenny Matlocks’ classroom!
What keepsakes did your family hand down to you? My husband’s fraternal grandmother made my husband a full-size quilt when he was a boy and my maternal grandmother made me a twin size quilt after we got married. When I was expecting our first baby, DD#1, my good friend & co-worker, Melissa, made a darling hand-sewn baby blanket. Over the years, my precious MIL has made us quilts, too. All precious treasures to us and something we’ll have to remember her by someday.
Are you a keepsake creator? I had never thought of myself as keepsake creator, but I suppose my hand-stamped cards can fall into this category. Family members have mentioned they keep every card I make. That’s such an honor. I guess keeping traditions are kinda like a keepsake because these do get passed from me to my children and hopefully one day to their children.
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Oh Kathy, I love these keepsakes. I am fascinated by the history and love sewn into the antique ones…you can see those tiny stitches and it is easy to imagine the hours and hours spent by candle or lanternlight making on small stitch after another on the vast expanse of fabric canvas.
Such a lovely artform.
Thank you for sharing the treasure of this post!
A+
I would love to make a quilt too, but have never made the time. It is amazing how women ahead of us got so many things done! I have a 7 month old and I am just in awe of how little I get done. I have a little rocking chair that was made for my great-uncle, used by my grandmother, my mom, me and now my daughter. Great post and question.
I’d love to make a quilt sometime.
I haven’t had anything handed down to me. I don’t think my mother even think of it like kthat. It was for her always a struggle to survive.
Well when we first met, she gave me a duck 🙂 I think I want to keep it even though I’m not a toy animal kinda person.
2. I don’t know as yet. Maybe I will be.
Have a happy Friday 🙂
I have always loved quilts but wouldn’t even know where to start. (Well, I guess, now I do… )My grandma was quite the knitter and crocheter, so we have some of her pieces. One of my favorites is a table runner she crocheted. I will treasure it always.
I have always love quilts but have never had the patience to sit down and make one. I do have several patchwork quilts that were given to me by my grandmothers.
It isn’t exactly a handmade keepsake but I have been doing genealogy for several years and will at some point put together a book for both mine and my husbands families recounting the family history.
I used to sew and crochet quite a bit but that was before computers. lol
Hello.
I can’t sew for the life of me, but I do admire the talent it takes to make these quilts…they are beautiful.
Lovely post.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m not a sewer, I mean Seamstress! But I love fabric and quilts. Maybe one day I’ll get a sewing machine. Jewelry is something that has been passed down in my family. And particular plates. {:-Deb
I’ve often wished I could quilt, knit or do any of the crafts that produce beautiful things to hand down.
Unfortunately, my crafting didn’t come until later and it’s been ceramics, tole painting and making cards.
The time we have freed up by electronic gadgets etc. gets used up for other things and makes us wonder when we’ll even find time to do crafts.
You are so right. They found the time; I guess because life was centered more in the home then. I kinda wish it still were! (That wedding wheel quilt is lovely.)
We have a lot of crochet-cornered handkerchiefs from my grandmother; she often gave them as gifts. And tatted lace. From my grandfather, we have some intricate pieces he whittled out of wood.
They are treasures!
=)
I love the wedding wheel quilt…there’s something beautiful in the simplicity of its design. I’m a super lazy quilter…I love random patterns because I don’t have to exercise much discipline to complete them..heehee. thanks for sharing these.
I like quilts but not really know how to make it. My sister-in law is the one who really make a lot like this..They are pretty.
1) thanks for sharing Cathy. My comment is going to be different… of course…
We came to the states with literally nothing… the clothes on our backs are from the salvation army – or red cross. So no keep sakes.
2) how in the world do those women back then have time…Cathy, they didn’t have computers, blogs, cell phones, so as Blogging is my hobby- they quilted, knit and cook.
My SO’s aunt is a big quilter- here is a post on her quilts: http://www.selfsagacity.com/2010/08/auntie-quilting-talent.html
Those quilts you posted are absolutely beautiful.
I haven’t had any quilts handed down to me! But, I do have a lot of keepsakes from my friends 😀
Quilting is really a wonderful art. I wish I had the patience for it. Rod’s mother did a lot of knitting and we have some of her pieces as keepsakes. I guess my paintings could be considered keepsakes, and my children’s art as well. Wonderful post, Cathy!!
You have found some really pretty quilts, “K”athy. Isn’t it nice to have things from prior generations.
I have my mom’s car, a 1974 Mustang II Ghia. Does that count? It is pristine with 67K miles and always has been garaged.
My keepsakes would be all my junk or my blogs. Neither gets much respect. 🙂
Thanks for peeking in on my rows (logs and bales) and for giving your viewpoint on training children proper behavior.
All five of mine were spoiled, the grandkids are too. BUT THEY DON’T CRY FOR ICE CREAMe that is just a break when they got crabby.
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I have a several quilts that have been handed down to me. My favorite is a flower garden quilt made by my grandma. Since I am a collector, there will be all kinds of stuff for my kids should they want them. The main contribution that I will make to the keepsake category are the memory books I make–each capturing a person or event with pictures, poems, and prose.
I love quilts too but am not talented enough to try my hand at making one, I can hardly sew on a button!
I have some of my maternal grandmother’s wedding china but as we don’t have any children won’t be passing on any keepsakes of my own.
I don’t think the nephews will be interested in “old pots”!