Santa's Helper?

Some quilters get rather bent out of shape when asked to mend something for someone, and I admit to having acted this way a time or two. However, in the days following Christmas, when my sister asked if there was a way to repair a stocking, I was totally in "yes, I can" mode. 

I've spent so little time in the quilting room these last few weeks, that an easy, almost mindless mending job suited me to a tee.

The stocking in question is this 35-year-old panel stocking that my sister stitched together for her daughter (my niece) Abby. 

Now, this is a special stocking, let me tell you. Not only is Abby a very special daughter and niece, the fact that Sandy (my sister) actually sat at a sewing machine to make this takes it to a whole new level of special. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen her sewing, that's how rarely it as occurred.

Take a look at the toe of the stocking - at some point however many years ago, it was hung too close to a roaring fire, and the tip got singed. It was still all attached, but it looked unsightly and it was very precarious for any amount of weight dropped into that stocking would have surely ripped it wide open.

I put on my Santa's Helper hat and spent a very relaxing hour or so breathing new life into this stocking. And I think I did okay. I couldn't exactly match the fabrics, but my stash of Christmas fabrics contained one that suited the job.

I used a seam ripper to take apart the entire toe end of the stocking. Then I cut away the really tattered, burned parts. I traced a rough pattern onto my replacement fabric, then 'eyeballed' the placement enough to cover the toe.

After finishing both sides, it seemed that I really should quilt the fabric so that the new stuff was attached to the original. I grabbed a little ruler and drew out a grid on which to make my quilting stitches.

This side of the stocking had more burned areas, so it needed a larger patch than the other. It looks passable, with the front and back stitched back together. I sure don't want anyone judging it, but for the few days per year that it will be displayed and used, it will suffice. 

A humble little stocking needed a humble little repair. And now it is good for another 35 years, right? Just don't hang it too close to a roaring fire!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sister's Windfall

The estate of a friend of my sister is being  dispersed, and she has become the newest protector of the most gorgeous red and white quilt. Simply put, this is a thing of beauty.

When she showed it to me, we didn't have much time to do an up close and personal inspection. I just took these few pictures.

Sandy said that before she spoke up for this quilt, it was destined for donations going to the humane society. Now I love that people donate old bedding this way, but for goodness sake! This heirloom in a dog pen? I am so glad Sandy had the gumption to ask for it. Basically, she is preserving its life for at least one more generation to enjoy and appreciate.

I wish I could know its story. We don't know who made the quilt, how this gentleman came into possession of it, or anything. We suspect that his mother might have made it, but it could as easily have been made by one of his grandmothers, or aunts, or great aunts. 

Other items of particular interest here for our quilters, are the contents of a sewing basket. I don't know if Sandy is keeping these or not; the daughter might be donating them. Whatever becomes of them, the items contained therein are interesting.

Sandy said that one spool of thread had a price sticker of 18 cents. Would that be 1960s pricing? Earlier?

So, that was a fun treasure to look at. I know there are collectors of vintage sewing ephemera out there, but I do not know if this man's daughter is willing to invest the time necessary for finding those people. That's what thrift stores are for, right? 

Hope you are having an awesome Tuesday! I've been to the dentist this morning, and later today we are going to see the Columbus Blue Jackets with our daughters and their guys. A fun-filled day!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Fall Table Topper Surprise

A week ago while my sister Sandy was here visiting, she admired my fall table topper. This is one I made several years ago; if I remember, I bring it out each fall for the center of the kitchen table.

It is nothing special; just 4 star blocks set with surrounds of brown and cheddar/orange borders. I serves its purpose, that is all.

So when Sandy admired it and said that she needed to get some fall going in her house, I had the idea that I could easily help in that effort by making a topper for her.

You read all about the one I made earlier this week - click here, if you didn't. And on Wednesday evening, I had plans for being in Hillsboro, so I popped by her place and plunked her new topper onto her kitchen table/bar.

After she discovered it, I asked her to gussy it up a bit and send me pics so I could share here. And that is what you are seeing next...

I think she likes it! When such a small effort can put a smile on someone's face, it's totally worth it, right??

Happy Quilting, Friends!