Primitive Quilts and Projects

Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine

A premium publication dedicated to the primitive quilter, rug hooker, stitcher and more! Each issue features at least 15 projects from some of the most admired designers in the primitive fiber arts world.
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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Something to cherish

 

Have you ever been given a gift that took many years to make, that you knew about from the first day the handwork had begun?

Our Mother, AKA "Ask Mom" started a quilt years ago. I believe she started it somewhere around 1999. It was for a quilt shop sample of a Block of the Month program for a local shop that we helped and taught classes at. Before she got very far making it, the owner decided to close the shop and gave Mom the rest of the fabric to complete the quilt because she knew Mom was going to eventually give the quilt to me. I can't remember for sure, but I think our Mother was still working full time as a Legal Secretary, so she worked on it when she had time, knowing speed wasn't necessary since the shop closed. Every so often I would see her working on it, and she just loved doing hand applique. Finally the quilt was all put together and ready to quilt. mom was a wonderful hand quilter, and made the most beautiful stitches. I knew it would take her some time to get it completed, but I wasn't in a hurry. As Mom's eyes began to get worse with Macular Degeneration, I watched her progress when she would bring it out to quilt on, and she seemed a little more in a hurry to finish it. She was worried about her stitches.

The day finally came when the quilting was complete, and ready to bind. mom was having trouble sewing straight lines on her machine, so she asked if I could sew it on for her so she could get to the hand stitching. When it was done, I told her she should hang on to it for a while to enjoy in her home. That many years working on it, I knew she really grew to love the quilt. My turn would come. About a week or so ago, Mom gave me the quilt. It is so beautiful. I can see where her eyes started to fail while she was quilting, but it is still the most beautiful gift, and I have the perfect spot to enjoy it for years to come in my sewing room, where I work most every day. I can't wait to show it to my Grandaughter, Henley, as she seems to love looking all around my sewing room and house at the quilts on the walls. I sewed a sleeve on the back the past couple days, and got it hung up today. I hope you enjoy the photos of our Mothers handwork. The quilt is a pattern by the late Linda Brannock.

 

 

 

Thank you Mom, for the most special gift.

Jeni

 

 

 

 

22 comments:

  1. That is a beautiful quilt and a wonderful treasure from you mom.

    Debbie

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  2. That is a beautiful quilt! I have looked for the pattern for a couple of years, but the pattern is out of print. Enjoy your wonderful gift, and let me know if you see the pattern.

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    1. Thank you Jackie, I will ask Mom if she still has the pattern......it's been years and years, since the quilt top has been finished. But she may have kept it!

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  3. How beautiful ! You can see the love in every stitch.

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  4. The perfect story to end the day on. That is so very priceless.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Beautiful. I am working on this pattern in cottons and wool. I love it!

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    1. Thank you, I love it! Would love to see yours when it's done!

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  6. Beautiful quilt. What a wonderful treasured heirloom. We deal with macular in our family so I understand the frustration not being able to see. Is this a Jan Patek pattern from the 90's?

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  7. Beautiful quilt--Beautiful lady!!!!

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  8. I love your Mom's work in your quilt! I bought this pattern kitted with fabric from Ebay a few years back and set it aside for when I got my "round tuit". Seeing this now and realizing I have also recently been diagnosed with macular degeneration makes it my next project!

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