Monday, 10 October 2011

Grandmothers Garden

 
In 1980 my husband and I bought a 85 year old house from a couple that were both going into the nursing home. The house came complete with all their furnishings and much more. The lady of the house was a dollmaker and collector. In fact the china cabinet I still have from that home was used to showcase her porcelin antique dolls. She had trashbags full of old fabric for dressing her dolls, which was left behind. I decided to make a Grandmothers Garden quilt from them.

My daughter, Emily, was just a baby then also. I sewed many of her outfits, so alot of the fabrics are from the little blouses with coordinating Capri's, and dresses I had stitched for her over  nearly two years. So I feel it's more a memory quilt for her than anything else.
           This was my first attempt at quilting and the pieces where all sewn together by hand.
           I did take liberty with the pattern too. Instead of complete octagons, I attached each flower
           to a coordinating square. The above fabrics are very old. It had lettering, so I was able to
           make a flower with my husbands and my name on it.
           This is also antique fabric. As you can see, I did a buttonhole stitch around the flower
           to attach it to the solid back ground. There you have it, another treasure found while
           cleaning out my storage area. I don't think I'll have any excuse for being bored this winter,
           do you? Doesn't this have you wondering what treasures may be hiding in your closets   
           now? Get busy there ladies and see what jewels have been laying away for years, just
                                                waiting for you to re-discover them!
           Today's Thanksgiving, so I'd better get busy and lend a helping hand to DH. Fortunately,
                                  we always prepare it together-I'm so......blessed!
                                                         " Happy Fall Y'll"

29 comments:

  1. That's amazing! We've bought lots and lots of old houses, and never once have we found any real treasures. You are lucky.
    I love your handiwork. Beautifully done!

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  2. Your quilt is going to be so lovely. All of that hand work will be time consuming, but it is relaxing.

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  3. How fabulous that there was so much treasure left for you to enjoy and discover! The quilting is so pretty and those old fabrics are just the best.

    xxoo
    Becky

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  4. What a priceless treasure and you are passing it on. - Happy Thanksgiving, have a good one! xo

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  5. Have a wonderful day, isn't it fun cooking with husbands? I know I enjoy it so much.You have found the neatest things.
    Have a lovely day, and no today is just a normal Monday for us. :)

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  6. All I can say is wow. What an amazing blessing you were left with in trash bags no less. You did those fabrics proud.

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  7. I have dreams that I have moved into a house where they left all kinds of treasures in the attic, and you actually had that happen--how fun! Your quilt is beautiful and is such a meaningful use of the fabric. I especially loved the fact that you used your husband's initials in it. I have never made a quilt but those of you who have are inspiring me to give it a try!

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  8. What a beautiful quilt that will be. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

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  9. Wow!! you are finding some great treasures. The quilt squares are just darling:)

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  10. I love your Grandmother's Garden squares. They will make a beautiful quilt. What fun to find a treasure trove of beautiful fabric! All these beautiful quilts I've been seeing is inspiring me to take up sewing again!

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  11. I love your squares, and enlarged them to have a really good look - I really like what you did with putting the flowers on a sold square - I think that I could do that too!

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  12. Good morning! I love this...soo pretty. I really wish I had learned to quilt. Or that I had saved some of the fabric scraps from the hundreds of things I made for my daughter over the years...what a cherished memory this will be for her...Have a wonderful day! HUGS

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  13. What a treasure. My 15 year old son has said for years he wished we would buy an old home so he could find the treasures held even between the walls. He says they have character....which new homes do not, because they don't have stories to tell yet.

    This is amazing...you are doing a great job with the treasures left for you.

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  14. A home with hidden treasure.. That is wonderful and I like your new attempt at quilting. Indeed you will be busy this winter.

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  15. I usually say that to myself when I am shopping..."Sheryl, you have so much better stuff packed away"...and I do. hmmm...can't tell if you are speaking tounge and cheek on the cooking part...lol..

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  16. Wow that must have been fun finding the fabric. I bet that lady would be pleased that you are making such good use of it. I absolutely love quilts and have wanted to start one but I'm not sure I have enough patience or talent for making one-maybe some day. My aunt who is 82 still quilts by hand and does beautiful work. Have a great week! ---------Shannon

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  17. I have never quilted, but I cannot believe this is your first attempt...amazing, this is your nitch, It is gorgeous! you are a natural! What a thrill to move into an old house with all of it's contents!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

    Carol

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  18. What a wonderful way to make a quilt! So pretty.

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  19. WOW! These grandmothers flower garden blocks are beautiful!! So glad you put all that"inherited" fabric to good use! They will make a beautiful quilt!! And they sure look wonderful hanging on the line.

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  20. Happy Thanksgiving!!
    I love to find treasures that I have long forgotten about. I can imagine that it must have been a delight to find all those hidden gems left behind by the previous owners. It is a bit sad to think that no one wanted what they had accumulated. Such a fascinating story.

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  21. Your quilt blocks are beautiful. Those old prints are wonderful. How fun to buy an old place with everything in it!

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  22. You would have loved all the fabric we gave away from my mil's attic. Sorry, but I'm not a sewer or quilter and it didn't sell at the yard sale. You'll have fun putting that quilt together this winter. It'll be a memory quilt to treasure. Blessings, Pamela

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  23. Happy Thanksgiving to you (a little late). The memory quilt blocks are so pretty! You are so talented with your handiwork.

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  24. It has been so wonderful to come by for a visit and catch up. Amazing what a couple of days away can do. :o)
    You have stolen my heart with your grandmas flower garden blocks. How precious to have had so many items from this dear couple. Bittersweet. And to create the blocks with some of her fabric.
    I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
    Sincerely, Trish

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  25. Amazing. How fun to find all those old fabrics and I love that you made a quilt. You did a grand job for a first time quilter! I'll bet you have a new hobby now. I made all my girls' clothes when they were little, too. xo Diana

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  26. There is something so amazing about seeing clothes fluttering on a clothline. Great pictures.

    But what I find even more amazing is all your treasures that were let behind in the old home. Wow!

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  27. those are lovely! and what a great idea too...im sure they will be treasured forever. i have a few old quilt squares from my great grandma that have been waiting to become something special too...guess i better get on it! :) thanks for the inspiration~

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  28. How sad that the couple you bought the house from had to leave behind almost all their belongings. The elderly have so much they need to give up - I know - My mom lives with me and I have seen all the things she has given up. It makes me sad.

    But it is a total comfort to know that you treasure what you received from them.

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  29. How amazing--these are gloriously beautiful!!!

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All of your comments are read and much appreciated.
You are dear and lovely friends!