This is one of those, made in 1984. I was still a novice quiltmaker. Loved the hand quilting, but wasn't fond of the piecing. My source of fabric was largely the Ben Franklin Dime Store, and I only go there occasionally.Stash was an unknown term in my vocabulary. It was a stretch to come up with enough colors to make this maple leaf quilt. Good old pindot for the sashing and I'm sure the background fabric is a poly blend. I tried my hand at Prairie Points with this one, rather than bind it.
It's a perfectly respectable quilt, but it's gotten shabby with use over the years. With no youngsters living with me anymore, it rarely gets reached for as a cover up. And then there is the issue of newer quilts made in the last 25 years. The new ones far outnumber the old ones. It seems what I can't get comfortable with. is what am I to do with all these quilts? Shabby with use, batting worn thin, faded with the years. They seem like the poor elderly maiden aunts that everyone loves, but no one wants around. I'm not sure why this bothers my head as I daily sit and contribute to the tally of quilts I've made, but it does. Like Old friends, I value them, but there is only me. And Ebby of course, she doesn't mind what quilt she sleeps on *VBS*.
These are the other project on my mind these days. You can find the tutorial here. I think she explains the letters much better than I could. Look for the tutorials on her lefthand sidebar under Raggy Letters. You do have to scroll down quite a bit, but she has many great tutorials. These are for the 2 almost 2 year old grandkids.
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16 comments:
If you can bear to give them away, ask your family members if they want them. Or maybe a homeless shelter or animal shelter could use them, hard wear and all! I haven't been making quilts long enough for a stack of them to have accumulated, but definitely have some old blocks and wallhangings hanging around...
The quilt still looks great to me and you have lots of memories of making it. My really old ones I give away to the good will. I have so many newer ones I love more. I guess that's just me.
Although I am a beginner (for at least another 25 years) I share your point of view about old quilts being like old maiden aunts - and the I am sure Ebby WILL prefer one of these old friends.
It is beautiful your maple leaf quilt and still stunning after all these years.
Thanks for sharing
Sure hope you are warm and dry...and not having to get out in this cold nasty weather.
Sharing thoughts about your old quilts was touching...I look at mine - those when I first started quilting - I thought they were wonderful..and I suppose they were for me at that time with my ability...but oh I look at them now and see all kinds of mistakes, etc. I have grown - but still have a very long way to go...but sure enjoying the road as I travel it.
I have been quilting about 10 years and the quilts are piling up. I am faced with storing most of them. How sad!
I've been quilting for 25 years and have few that I made. They have been given to family and charities. I love that old quilt...I'm crazy about them anyways. Yours is so pretty. Hugs
O.K., I can see the
B is for bees, C is for crayons, & D is for ducks, but M is for _______
Oh it's an oldie but a goodie!
when you figure it out let me know as I have a couple first quilts that aren't so lovely anymore either!
I really, really love this quilt. Soft and wonderful! I too worry about all these quilts...will anyone love them in years after I am gone?
Those maiden aunt quilts are a dilemma indeed. I don't think I have any yet but the day is not far off I fear. I'll be looking for a good solution!
Your old quilt is so pretty. I say keep loving it until it's totally shot--or find it a new home with someone who will do it for you.
Old quilts are like old friends.... comfortable.And someday someone will value them as much as you. Just label them so they will know who, what, when where. My DD likes contemporary quilts..but has definitely appreciated the old ratty ones pieced so long ago. Kind of like we do...we may use the newer ones..but the old ones folded up on a cupboard shelf..tell such a story.
I think we have to wait just a little longer . . . those quilts will be treasures all too soon *s*
I'm working on a maple leaf quilt for my MIL for Christmas...very similar pattern to yours. I realized I was running out of time, so I downsized it to a generous lap, but it's almost done. And I love those raggedy letters, thanks for the link, am adding it to my link stash! What a great use of leftover fabric for a little one. I can see them laying on the getting raggedy maple leaf, and decorating it with the alphabet ;)
I love the Maple Leaf quilt too.
I don't have too many that are from my earliest days but one of the first quilts I made and machine quilted is now our picnic quilt. It was the first one I tried freemotion quilting and the darning foot the sew-n-vac sold me was the not right one for my machine so there are lots of skipped stitches. After tearing the quilting out repeatedly, I decided I would just keep going and do the best I could - at the time I thought it was me and not the foot. I love this quilt, imperfections and all.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZUsLVomwPaU/SF16F978I-I/AAAAAAAAGRw/YOYrHJll96M/s1600-h/001park1_3.JPG
Hope you are feeling much better and have a wonderful Christmas.
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