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.
