Monday, May 27, 2013

Quilts that have a story

Not all quilts have a story but when they do it makes the quilt just a little more special. Big or small stories add something. I have one such quilt and I would like to share the story of my quilt which I call Stars in the Loft.

Stars in the Loft, 2002
 
In 1999 I was snooping in a hayloft in an old barn turned antique shop on Manitoulin Island. I found an old quilting book and bought it for fifty cents. The book was published by Dover and on the inside cover Dover's publications were listed along with their prices. This book was $4.95. The best I can tell it was published in the late 1950s or the early 1960s (but I could be wrong).
 
 
Browsing through the pages I came across a black and white picture of a hexagon quilt. Other than saying it was a “mosaic quilt" there were no further details about the quilt and there was no information about its history or the maker. For years I searched everywhere trying to find out about this quilt but was unsuccessful.

 
The opening paragraph reads “This illustrated quilt is known also as the Honeycomb Quilt for its resemblance to waxen cells made for storage by the honey bees. The pattern is an all-over design of entirely pieced workmanship”.

There were instructions for making a honeycomb quilt and a pattern for but clearly the template was not intended to make this “mosaic”. At its widest point the templace measures 2 1/2"! No pattern? Not a problem because I draft patterns all the time. I pulled out my paper, pencils, erasers and pencil crayons and was off to the races!
 
 
My Dad was an artist and enjoyed seeing my creations as much as I enjoyed seeing his. We were very much alike in so many ways; we were both uncomfortable with praise or compliments. For us it was the doing and making that was important and that gave us the greatest pleasure. In the Spring of 2002 the quilt top was nearing completion and my Dad fell ill. He hadn’t seen the quilt because I was so proud of it and I wanted it to be a surprise. Dad was in the ICU and it was clear he would not be coming home but I wanted to be able to share the quilt with him. I worked away feverishly and was able to complete the quilt top. Stars in the Loft would the last quilt I would be able to share with Dad. When he saw it he nodded and smiled. Not many days after he died. I went on to finish my quilt and eventually displayed it at my Guild’s Quilt Show where it won a ribbon for something or other. I treasure this quilt; it is loaded with memories of my Dad and Manitoulin Island.

There’s a little bit more to this story and I’ll share that with you tomorrow along with some close-up pictures of the quilt. In making the quilt I learned several lessons that I’ve since applied to other quilts and I'll tell you about that as well.

Look what was blooming in the garden this morning! I don't kow what it is but it is pretty darned cute.

 
White violets in Mom's garden
 
 Close-up of white violets

Shooting stars in Mom's garden (she has pink and white)
 
Pink shooting stars embroidered by Mom
 
Until I post again, happy sewing!

9 comments:

  1. This quilt is so gorgeous. Fantastic work.
    Greetings Grit

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    1. Thank you Grit! I think it one is one of my favourites!

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  2. love the quilt, the story behind it and the plants!

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  3. Wow! that is one of the prettiest EPP hexagon quilts I've seen ! Amazing what you did with just a black and white pattern - the colours and fussy cutting are beautiful. I'm looking forward to the close-ups - and to see what/how you made the white half-hexagon line in the outer border?! So exciting to see as I adore hexagons and EPP.

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    1. Thanks! It is one of my favourites. I too am hooked on EEP. I learned the basics from my maternal Grandma! Sometimes it is good to work with a black and white picture because it forces you to think about colour and put your own spin on it!

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  4. as soon as I saw this quilt I knew it had to be you Karen. I love this quilt! and your work I just got a book on pieced hexies and it reminded me of you.
    As humble as you are I'm sorry you do amazing work. Thanks for starting a blog and sharing your talents I think the world needs to know.

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    1. Thanks Deb! Sharing with others is the best part of quilting and fibre arts. It is good for the person who does the sharing and those who benefit from the sharing. Keep well!

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  5. This quilt is just stunning! You are so talented and very humble with it. The overall visual is fabulous - you've done a great job with the colours! It's been a long time since I did anything with hexagons, but seeing this has ignited a spark in me. Thank you so much for sharing x

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    1. Thanks! Stay tuned because over the next few days I'll show some close-ups and I'll explain how I made the blocks. I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is to make them!

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