Discombobulated

I am discombobulated. Is that a colloquialism or do folks from all over use this term, too? I am using it to describe myself, as I have been quite 'out of it' - to use a more common phrase - to the point that I've even got my days mixed up. This is my Way-Back Wednesday for this week, and I'm a day late. Here's my brief but pathetic story.

Yesterday, when I posted about the progress (or lack thereof) on Carson's Courtyard, I hit the publish button and felt right smug in making something out of nothing. Then almost instantly, I looked at the date, and realized it was Wednesday, and I should have been posting the Way-Back Wednesday installment. Good grief, Charlie Brown.

Two and half months ago, there was some concern on my part when I decided to do the weekly feature I've called Way-Back Wednesday. Knowing myself as I do, I knew that nothing is more troublesome for me than giving me a schedule to follow. Consequently, I feel pretty darn proud that I managed to get 8 weeks in a row done without messing up.

Now here we come to the 9th week - the final week, too, by the way - and I missed the date. Good grief, indeed.

For my last Way-Back Quilt, I share this c.1890 Double Nine Patch made with a solid cheddar yellow. I love that it is a 2-color quilt. For some reason, I think that seems like a rarity for those times. The background fabric is a very rough-looking muslin, and it is yellow-tinted, whether from the influence of the yellow patchwork, or just an aging fabric thing; it's hard to say. The backing is even rougher-looking muslin and looks more like a tightly woven cheesecloth than quilting fabric.

I date this beauty based on information gleaned once again from my grandmother, who gave me the quilt. She said she is fairly certain that it came from her mother's side of the family, and that very likely her grandmother made it. Perhaps, she thinks, her mother (my great-grandmother) helped with it as a girl. Think of that! If her hunch is correct, and I have no way whatsoever of proving or disproving it, this has made it's way through 6 generations!

It is in the best shape of any of my antique quilts. It shows very little wear, and is mostly stain- and dirt-free.

The little spot in the lower right is the only stain of note. Can you see the amazing quilting? Back in those days, the battings were much inferior to what we use today, as I am sure you all know. The quilting that went into these quilts is far superior, in my opinion!

I tried to take a picture that would show you some of the quilting. It also looks like the tracing lines still show after all this time.  Here are a couple more to give you a good look.

I think, if antique quilting is something you like to study, you can get a fair assessment from these pictures. I wonder: did the setting block have an ironed-on design that didn't wash out? Or did the quilter use a pencil (or pen!) that has still not faded? You can definitely see the markings in a few places.

The small nine-patch blocks finish out at 2.25-inches. That means the tiny pieces in each of those finish at 3/4-inch! Wow. The large blocks finish at 7-inches. The border is made of the same fabrics, yellow-neutral-yellow, all measuring 1.25-inches.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at my old quilts. Even with their flaws and stains, I still treasure them - family heirlooms that I hope many more generations of our family will revere as I do!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Way-Back Wednesday - 8

This week we will take a look at one of my oldest quilts. Grandma gave it to me about 25 years ago, saying she was unsure exactly who made it. She believes it was made by one of her grandmothers, as she is fairly certain she was given it by her mother.

A great-great-grandmother on my mother's side, then, made this Double 9-Patch quilt. It is in remarkably good shape for a quilt that is easily over 100 years old, and quite possibly closing in on 150 years old.

Here's the thinking for dating this quilt: Grandma's two grandmothers were Louisa Neptune Wood (b. 1853) and Mary Angelina Smedley (b. 1847). If either of these women made this quilt, I will guess they were making quilts from their 20s through their 60s, then the quilt is at least 120 years old, for sure.

Grandpa was still living when I was given this quilt, and I remember his comment. He referred to the pieces as being the size of a postage stamp, and he went on to  recall his mother piecing similar small pieces. It was so out of character for him to make such a remark, and for that reason it struck me as noteworthy. 

 

The colors are a very pleasing pink and gray/brown, predominantly. There are some blocks that have other colors, but they blend well with the overall pink-gray/brown palate.

The quilting is exquisite. Here are some close-up shots of how close the quilting is, and how pretty the designs are.

The border is very simple, yet it also is in keeping with the pink and gray/brown theme.

I would love to have someone well-versed in dating quilts give me more details on this quilt.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Way-Back Wednesday - 7

This week's quilt is a Dresden Plate that Grandma made in the early years of her marriage - most likely the late 1930s or early 1940s. All these pictures were taken at night, so the lighting is not as pleasing as it would be if I'd taken them during daylight hours. I hope it isn't too distracting.

The very neat pattern of the repeated pink in the 4 opposing positions of the plate make this a very interesting Dresden Plate quilt, in my opinion. It is in good condition, and like most of the others of my old quilts, could use a good cleaning.

It is fun to study the prints Grandma used in these plates. I should compare them to some of the other quilts from this same general time period to see if I can see repeats.

The quilting looks pretty awesome, too, and this is what Grandma always prided herself in. She never wanted anyone's toenail to snag a too-large stitch! And I think she wanted to impress her mother-in-law, too, who was none too kind to Grandma, to hear her tell it.

That statement above about its good condition must be footnoted. It would be in fabulous condition, had Grandpa not gotten hold of it and used it as protection for furniture in a move they were making.

When Grandma told me about this, it still made her mad! Funny! This was something like 70 years ago, for Heaven's sake!

Here's a second worn spot that Grandpa was responsible for making.

This stain is the worst I could find, but be sure that there are several others that are less prominent. You can also see, in those border shots above, the soiled edges.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Way-Back Wednesday - 6

This week's quilt is 76 years old - not old at all, is it Mom? *winking*

I know the age of this quilt because Grandma pieced it while she was pregnant with my mother - in 1936. It is called Block O - and that is not a reference to the Ohio State Buckeyes' Block O. This quilt pattern very likely predates our Buckeyes' "O" by several years.

It is a big quilt - it is shown here on a double bed and there is ample overhang on both sides as well as there at the bottom.

One thing I really must do is see about getting this quilt cleaned. This is the border shown against a white pillow sham. Look at how soiled the quilt is - the muslin probably was never true white, but it should look a lot better than this!

And the interior of the quilt also has a few spots that need attention. Heaven only knows how old these stains are!

I think this quilt is deceiving as to just exactly where the blocks are that create those block Os. I tried to outline (first time to do this ever!) so you could see.

I switched to a black line to outline this block. Isn't that a unique block? I don't think I have seen this pattern in any other quilt - and I have looked at A LOT of quilts!

Well, there you have it - my 6th installment of Way-Back Wednesday. I am back to Quilt Camp today, so there will be lots of catching up in the next post.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Way-Back Wednesday - 5

Back from vacation, and I have been having a hard time getting back into the swing of things - especially when it comes to sewing and quilting!

Elisa, Cheryl, yours truly and Dorothy - the week in Myrtle Beach was fantastic!

When we got back late on Saturday evening, both of my daughters had come home for the weekend, plus a son-in-law-to-be. We lazed around on Fathers' Day, watching movies, golf and NBA. Erin spent most of the day trying to finish the quilting on the baby quilt she's been working on. The baby is due SOON!!

See the cute custom design in the borders? My creative daughter did this herself!
Looks like the path of a bumblebee. Very cute.

For Way-Back Wednesday, I though I'd share Overall Bill, the companion of Sunbonnet Sue. Grandma made her fair share of these, too. Most of the great-grandsons have something with Bill on it.

This is a wall-hanging made for my DS. It is an enlarged Bill.

Grandma's paper templates.

These cardboard templates are extremely old. The overalls were just about
always navy blue, but the shirts would be colorful prints.

These are some arms/sleeves for Overall Bills
that I found in some of the stuff Grandma gave me. What variety!

In true Grandma fashion, she had the pieces cut and stored in a bag with the templates.
She has always been one of the most organized people I've ever known.
 (Sure wish it were a trait I inherited!)

I'm a bit short on this post, what with no quilt on a bed or anything! Maybe I will get myself back in the swing of things soon!

Quilt camp starts Monday - I need to be prepared for that!!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Way-Back Wednesday - 4

For this week's installment of Way-Back Wednesday, I would like to share a darling Sunbonnet Sue quilt that my grandmother made. It is most likely 50 or 60 years old.

This is a long twin-size quilt that was either made for my mother or one of her sisters. The fabric used in all these dresses were leftovers from the dresses Grandma made for Mom, Aunt Nancy and Aunt Margaret. And, too, for little Becky, who died at age 2 from pneumonia.

The Sunbonnet Sue is another of Grandma's specialties. (I mentioned in last week's Way-Back Wednesday installment that the Lemoyne Star was a specialty.) She made all the great-granddaughters either a pillow or a wall-hanging with a Sunbonnet Sue. She also has made her share of Overall Bills, as well; each of the great-grandsons has a Bill pillow.

This little Sue has on a dress made from fabric that is very old. I recognize it from one of the quilts in Grandma's old trunk. (See tab at top of page labeled 'Grandma's Quilts.') When she could, Grandma would buy fabric of the same pattern in different colors for Aunt Nancy and my mother, the two oldest children. This is one of those fabrics, making it somewhere in the vicinity of 75 years old - the fabric, not the quilt.

This Sue's dress fabric is even older. This fabric was also used in other quilts (see same tab). Grandma pointed it out as the very first dress she made for Aunt Nancy when she was a baby. It has held up well!

Are you noticing Grandma's fabulous quilting? She is masterful with the needle and thread! Those stitches are always small and even. I have heard her remark several times over the years that she wouldn't make a quilt that wasn't done well. She took a lot of pride in her work, that's for sure. She has intimated that her mother-in-law's quilting was a lot less than desirable; I think Grandma took great pains to always quilt as perfectly as she could.

Sweet, aren't they? I am glad Grandma gave me this quilt, and I am glad that it has remained in such good condition. It is definitely a treasure!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Way-Back Wednesday - 3

For the third installment of Way-Back Wednesday, I have what I consider my grandmother's signature block - the Lemoyne Star. It is quite possible that she made at least 20 of these throughout her quilting years. I should ask my sisters if they have a quilt like this, and then I should ask a few of my cousins. I don't know if Grandma made all the grandkids one of these quilts or not, but if she did, that would be 15.

I do not recall the exact year that I was given this quilt, but I suppose it was the mid-1970s. I graduated from high school in 1975, so maybe I got it for graduation. Some of the prints used in it were things I wore in high school, so I am certainly close in my estimation.

The Lemoyne Star lends itself nicely to use of scraps. My mother made my clothes, and once I learned to sew, I made a lot for myself, as well. All those dresses, skirts and blouses resulted in scraps suitable for a quilt, so that is what I have to show you today - the quilt Grandma made of the scraps of my clothes.

I'm sure you noticed the damage, didn't you? In studying this quilt, I notice that it is not the print fabrics that are shredded, but it is the solids that are rotted away. Not all the solids, obviously, but where there is damage, it appears that the solid fabrics are the problem.

The two photos above show two different damaged blocks. Both blocks had the same rose-colored solid with the print. What causes some solids to fray and shred, while others don't? Older fabric? Cheaply made fabric? I sure don't know the answer.

Can you tell that Grandma didn't do excessive amounts of quilting on this? The stars are stitched a quarter-inch from the seams in outline fashion. The border has her signature cable design. Definitely sparse.

This block also shows that some of the muslin is beginning to thin. I know this quilt got used a lot, and washed a lot. I definitely did nothing to treat is special. If only I'd known, you know?

Grandma's method for her Lemoyne Star blocks was to pair up one of our print scraps with a solid that she had in her stash. I remember studying these blocks and marveling at the way a print looked with one color as opposed to another.

The blue print in the picture above was a top I made as a 4-H project - it was a simple top with no sleeves, no buttons, and no collar. It was easy to make and I think I ended up making others because I liked the pattern so much.

This red plaid was a dress my mother made for me when I was in the 5th grade. I thought I was so chic when I wore this dress. I remember its being very stylish. That colorful squiggly print with the pink solid was a pair of baby-doll pajamas I had at about that same age. The Aztec print with the yellow was a jacket I made for myself when I was in high school.

My question: Would you try to repair this quilt if it were yours? Since there is so little quilting, I could replace the damaged solid pieces with new solids. I could do the same with the muslin pieces that are threadbare.

I will gladly entertain suggestions. For now, it is folded and stored away in a cupboard with most of the other quilts I am sharing on Way-Back Wednesday.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Way-Back Wednesday - 2

Welcome back for a second helping of Way-Back Wednesday. Today I have a quilt that I hand pieced back in 1988. I remember this one because it was the summer of our drought, and we lived in a little 1000-square foot house with no trees and no air conditioning. It was a sauna in that house. We got in the habit that summer of packing up the kids (we just had 2 at the time), and going off for the day to sit at the KofC hall in Chillicothe where my DH was an active member. He took KofC work he had to do, I took stitching and the kids took toys, bikes and trikes. We made it through the miserable summer's extreme heat and sun this way.

This collage gives you a glimpse of the blocks. I call this an Ohio Star, although I have also seen it called Variable Star, so I don't know technically which it is. I selected it because I could use two fabrics per star and end up with a variety of scrappy stars. That top left star is my very first one. I loved those two calicoes and was so pleased with the result. I had just a small stash back then and I leaned toward calico prints; I had great fun matching up pairs. Every once in a while, I remember thinking that some particular combinations would have made a pretty quilt in just those 2 fabrics. I still think a 2-color quilt in this pattern would be fun to do.

The setting squares were hand-pieced to the blocks and I think I even hand-stitched all the rows together. While I am fuzzy on the extent of the hand-piecing, I definitely remember being somewhat stymied by the cutting of setting and corner triangles, since I'd set this on point. I think what I did was lay the top down on some muslin and cut a side and corner triangle, then used them as templates to cut the rest. (I was quite the novice!)

My dear grandmother quilted it for me, and I have used it on our beds off and on over the years. I would say that for the last 15 years it has been stored. So all the wear you see occurred in the first half of its life.

On this double bed you can see that it is quite large. You can also see that I opted to forego borders. I do not recall the why or why not on borders.

That is the extent of my recollection on this quilt from my early years. I have learned a lot since 1988, both about quilting and about life!

Happy Quilting, Friends!